NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wake County Man Responsible for Trafficking Methamphetamine Sentenced to 10 Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Michael Lynn Russell, a 62-year-old resident of Fuquay-Varina, has been sentenced to 120 months in prison after being arrested twice for trafficking methamphetamine.  Russell pled guilty on October 8, 2024.

    “This sentencing reflects the commitment of the Fuquay-Varina Police Department to protecting our community from the devastating impact of methamphetamine trafficking. We are grateful for the collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office, the DEA, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and our dedicated officers who worked tirelessly to bring this case to justice. Let this serve as a clear message: we will not tolerate illegal drug activity in Fuquay-Varina,” said Fuquay-Varina Police Chief Tim Smith.

    According to the court documents and other information review by the court, in August and September 2022, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department (FVPD) received information from a confidential source (CS1) that Russell was sourcing drug sales occurring at the Marquee Station Apartments in Fuquay-Varina.  Law enforcement conducted surveillance on Russell between September 2022 and December 2022.  On December 2, 2022, officers with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), the FVPD, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a traffic stop on Russell’s vehicle after he left a hotel. A K-9 officer then conducted an open-air sniff search of the car, which resulted in a positive alert for controlled substances.  

    A search of Russell resulted in the seizure of two large bundles of cash folded in half and rubber banded. A search of the vehicle revealed two scales, a meth pipe, torches, baggies, methamphetamine, Suboxone, hydrocodone and Adderall pills, cocaine, and a locked box containing U.S. currency. A total of $10,779.00 in cash was seized during the traffic stop.  Russell was arrested following the traffic stop and released on a state bond.

    From August 2022 through May 15, 2024, Russell was arrested twice each while possessing additional drugs. At sentencing Russell was found to be responsible for 44 kilograms of methamphetamine, 10 milligrams of hydrocodone, 11 dosage units of Suboxone, 150 milligrams of pure methamphetamine, 5 grams of cocaine, and 26 dosage units of Alprazolam.  After each of his arrests, Russell admitted to his criminal activities to law enforcement.

    Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief Judge Richard Myers. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Fuquay-Varina Police Department, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer C. Nucci prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 5:24-cr-00142-M-BM.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lawson Sex Offender Sentenced to 17 Years for Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lawson, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender has been sentenced in federal court for distributing child pornography over the internet.

    Lance M. Berry, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs on Thursday, Dec. 19, to 17 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Berry to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration and ordered him to pay $33,000 in restitution to his victims.

    On Aug. 7, 2024, Berry pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography over the internet.

    Berry has a prior Ray County, Mo., conviction for the deviate sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, which requires him to register as a sex offender.

    Berry admitted that he utilized a peer-to-peer file-sharing program on June 1, 2022, to make images and videos of child pornography available to other users over the internet. On that day, an undercover officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol was able to directly connect to Berry’s cell phone and download 14 videos of child pornography.

    According to court documents, Berry’s cell phone contained 944 unique images of child pornography, including 19 images of sadistic or masochistic violence against a minor, and 168 images featuring infants or toddlers. There were an additional 40 videos of child pornography, which also included depictions of sadistic or masochistic violence and/or infants and toddlers.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth W. Borgnino. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.

    Project Safe Childhood

    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.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Yukon and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce announce community safety funding

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Government of Yukon and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce announce community safety funding
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    This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce.

    As part of the Downtown Whitehorse safety action plan, the Government of Yukon is working with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce to administer crime prevention programming for businesses in downtown Whitehorse. 

    The Yukon government is working with the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce to facilitate delivery of crime and theft prevention and de-escalation tools to Whitehorse businesses and organizations. 

    The content of this programming has been developed with industry partners following discussions with affected businesses. It will provide:

    • Subsidies to businesses in downtown Whitehorse for security assessments of locations, including assessment of layout and design to aid in crime prevention. 
       
    • Training to business owners and staff, including but not limited to de-escalation and conflict resolution training.
       
    • An updated Who’s Minding Your Business security checklist to support businesses as they work to address security elements. 

    This new pilot programming is being offered as year one of the Crime Prevention Grant program. Security assessments conducted this year may be helpful in adjusting the program design and guidelines in the future to better address the specific needs of participants. The aim is to provide qualifying businesses and NGOs with practical skills, updated resources and security strategies. 
     

    Program guidelines and information on how to apply will be posted on the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce website in January 2025.
     

    Businesses and NGOs in Whitehorse have been resilient in the face of ongoing challenges, but work is needed to ensure they can operate safely. We will continue to provide resources to support them and to increase overall community safety in our territory’s capital. I want to thank the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce for their dedication to advocating for a safer city and for taking on the administration of phase one of this program. 

    Premier and Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai

    This pilot program is an important first step in addressing the safety and security concerns of Whitehorse businesses and organizations. By providing practical tools such as security assessments, de-escalation training and updated resources, we aim to empower businesses and organizations with preventative strategies while working together to create a safer and more resilient community.

    Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andrei Samson

    Quick facts

    • This programming is being created in accordance with the Downtown Whitehorse safety action plan.

    • Funding has been approved for three fiscal years, from 2024–25 through 2026–27. This new agreement with the Chamber will support them in distributing this funding for the first year. 

    • The planned phases include:

      • Phase 1 (January 2025 to March 2025): Establish a project team, orient staff, and begin communications with stakeholders.
      • Phase 2 (April 2025 to September 2025): Collect qualitative data, meet with stakeholders, roll out a survey, and conduct data analysis.
      • Phase 3 (October 2025 to March 2026): Perform safety assessments, host further community meetings, and conduct validating surveys.
      • Phase 4 (April 2026 to July 2026): Develop, review, and present a final Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan.
         

    • Over the next three years, the Crime Prevention Grant will focus on providing subsidies for security equipment purchases and installations, as well as assistance for damage caused by break-ins or vandalism, including costs not covered by insurance.

    Media contact

    Laura Seeley
    Cabinet Communications
    867-332-7627
    laura.seeley@yukon.ca 

    Damian Topps
    Economic Development Communications
    867-667-5378
    damian.topps@yukon.ca 
     

    News release #:
    Related information:
    Government of Yukon provides update on work underway to enhance public safety i…
    Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce
    Downtown Whitehorse safety response action plan

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New safety measures installed at bus station to tackle ASB

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Friday, 20th December 2024

    Major improvement work is being carried at a Stoke-on-Trent bus station, making it safer, more comfortable and easier for passengers travelling around the city.

    New lighting, seating and CCTV is being installed at Longton Bus Station as part of the project which aims to improve the look of the station and reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

    Part of the existing canopy which covers all nine stands at the bus station is also being removed to create more open space and improve visibility.

    In addition, information boards displaying real-time passenger information will be installed in the new year, during Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary year.

    The work has been carried out in partnership with Staffordshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. It has been funded by £46,409 of Government funding as part of the Safer Streets 5 programme.

    Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We are aware of some of the problems which have been reported in this area including dangerous driving, disorder, vandalism and criminal damage and we believe that these improvements will go a long way to combat these issues.

    “We are working with partners all over the city to design out crime in our town centres and this project is just one example of how we working together to make our city safer for all.”

    In addition to the work at Longton Bus Station, a separate package of improvements is being planned in the near future, funded by the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government.

    This work will include improved pedestrian links between the bus station and the neighbouring retail park, market and surrounding businesses.

    Ben Adams, Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, said: “Funding from the Safer Streets project has been used across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent to tackle anti-social behaviour which can blight our communities.

    “I hope that bus station users will feel much safer as a result of this work.”

    Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner said: “The work at Longton bus station is just a small part of the work the council are doing to make the city safer for everyone.

    “Additional lights, cameras and the open plan bus station will provide better access and improve visibility to deter people from using the station for anti-social activities.

    “The Safer Streets funding will improve the streets, leading to a safer more accessible city. I hope everyone will feel the benefits of this.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Charges Dual Russian And Israeli National As Developer Of Lockbit Ransomware Group

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Rostislav Panev in Custody Pending Extradition from Israel to the United States

    NEWARK, N.J. – A superseding criminal complaint filed in the District of New Jersey was unsealed today charging a dual Russian and Israeli national for being a developer of the LockBit ransomware group, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

    In August, Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was arrested in Israel pursuant to a U.S. provisional arrest request with a view towards extradition to the United States. Panev is currently in custody in Israel pending extradition on the charges lodged in the superseding complaint.

    “As alleged by the complaint, Rostislav Panev for years built and maintained the digital weapons that enabled his LockBit coconspirators to wreak havoc and cause billions of dollars in damage around the world. But just like the six other LockBit members previously identified and charged by this office and our FBI and Criminal Division partners, Panev could not remain anonymous and avoid justice indefinitely. He must now answer for his crimes. Today’s announcement represents another blow struck by the United States and our international partners against the LockBit organization, and our efforts will continue relentlessly until the group is fully dismantled and its members brought to justice.”

    U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

    “The Justice Department’s work going after the world’s most dangerous ransomware schemes includes not only dismantling networks, but also finding and bringing to justice the individuals responsible for building and running them,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Three of the individuals who we allege are responsible for LockBit’s cyberattacks against thousands of victims are now in custody, and we will continue to work alongside our partners to hold accountable all those who lead and enable ransomware attacks.”

    “The arrest of Mr. Panev reflects the Department’s commitment to using all its tools to combat the ransomware threat,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “We started this year with a coordinated international disruption of LockBit — the most damaging ransomware group in the world. Fast forward to today and three LockBit actors are in custody thanks to the diligence of our investigators and our strong partnerships around the world. This case is a model for ransomware investigations in the years to come.”

    “The arrest of alleged developer Rostislav Panev is part of the FBI’s ongoing efforts to disrupt and dismantle the LockBit ransomware group, one of the most prolific ransomware variants across the globe,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The LockBit group has targeted both public and private sector victims around the world, including schools, hospitals, and critical infrastructure, as well as small businesses and multi-national corporations. No matter how hidden or advanced the threat, the FBI remains committed to working with our interagency partners to safeguard the cyber ecosystem and hold accountable those who are responsible for these criminal activities.”

    “The criminal complaint alleges that Rotislav Panev developed malware and maintained the infrastructure for LockBit, which was once the world’s most destructive ransomware group and attacked thousands of victims, causing billions of dollars in damage,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Along with our domestic and international law enforcement partner actions to dismantle LockBit’s infrastructure, the Criminal Division has disrupted LockBit’s operations by charging seven of its key members (including affiliates, developers, and its administrator) and arresting three of these defendants — including Panev. We are especially grateful for our partnerships with authorities in Europol, the United Kingdom, France, and Israel, which show that, when likeminded countries work together, cybercriminals will find it harder to escape justice.”

    “For five years, Panev helped to grow LockBit into a ransomware machine of deception and extortion,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado of the FBI Newark Field Office.  “His reach was far and wide but FBI Newark and our international law enforcement partners were able to disrupt his reign. Panev’s arrest marks a victory against these conspirators, and is a step towards upholding justice and neutralizing these criminals.”

    According to the superseding complaint, documents filed in this and related cases, and statements made in court, Panev acted as a developer of the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. During that time, Panev and his LockBit coconspirators grew LockBit into what was, at times, the most active and destructive ransomware group in the world. The LockBit group attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States. Their victims ranged from individuals and small businesses to multinational corporations, including hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, critical infrastructure, and government and law-enforcement agencies. LockBit’s members extracted at least $500 million in ransom payments from their victims and caused billions of dollars in other losses, including lost revenue and costs from incident response and recovery.

    LockBit’s members comprised “developers,” like Panev, who designed the LockBit malware code and maintained the infrastructure on which LockBit operated. LockBit’s other members, called “affiliates,” carried out LockBit attacks and extorted ransom payments from LockBit victims. LockBit’s developers and affiliates would then split ransom payments extorted from victims.

    As alleged in the superseding complaint, at the time of Panev’s arrest in Israel in August, law enforcement discovered on Panev’s computer administrator credentials for an online repository that was hosted on the dark web and stored source code for multiple versions of the LockBit builder, which allowed LockBit’s affiliates to generate custom builds of the LockBit ransomware malware for particular victims. On that repository, law enforcement also discovered source code for LockBit’s StealBit tool, which helped LockBit affiliates exfiltrate data stolen through LockBit attacks. Law enforcement also discovered access credentials for the LockBit control panel, an online dashboard maintained by LockBit developers for LockBit’s affiliates and hosted by those developers on the dark web.

    The superseding complaint also alleges that Panev exchanged direct messages through a cybercriminal forum with LockBit’s primary administrator, who, in an indictment unsealed in the District of New Jersey in May, the United States alleged to be Dimitry Yuryevich Khoroshev (Дмитрий Юрьевич Хорошев), also known as LockBitSupp, LockBit, and putinkrab. In those messages, Panev and the LockBit primary administrator discussed work that needed to be done on the LockBit builder and control panel.

    Court documents further indicate that, between June 2022 and February 2024, the primary LockBit administrator made a series of transfers of cryptocurrency, laundered through one or more illicit cryptocurrency mixing services, of approximately $10,000 per month to a cryptocurrency wallet owned by Panev. Those transfers amounted to over $230,000 during that period.

    In interviews with Israeli authorities following his arrest in August, Panev admitted to having performed coding, development, and consulting work for the LockBit group and to having received regular payments in cryptocurrency for that work, consistent with the transfers identified by U.S. authorities. Among the work that Panev admitted to having completed for the LockBit group was the development of code to disable antivirus software; to deploy malware to multiple computers connected to a victim network; and to print the LockBit ransom note to all printers connected to a victim network. Panev also admitted to having written and maintained LockBit malware code and to having provided technical guidance to the LockBit group.

    The LockBit Investigation

    The superseding complaint against, and apprehension of, Panev follows a disruption of LockBit ransomware in February by the U.K. National Crime Agency (NCA)’s Cyber Division, which worked in cooperation with the Justice Department, FBI, and other international law enforcement partners. As previously announced by the Department, authorities disrupted LockBit by seizing numerous public-facing websites used by LockBit to connect to the organization’s infrastructure and by seizing control of servers used by LockBit administrators, thereby disrupting the ability of LockBit actors to attack and encrypt networks and extort victims by threatening to publish stolen data. That disruption succeeded in greatly diminishing LockBit’s reputation and its ability to attack further victims, as alleged by documents filed in this case.

    The superseding complaint against Panev also follows charges brought in the District of New Jersey against other LockBit members, including its alleged primary creator, developer, and administrator, Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev. An indictment against Khoroshev unsealed in May alleges that Khoroshev began developing LockBit as early as September 2019, continued acting as the group’s administrator through 2024, a role in which Khoroshev recruited new affiliate members, spoke for the group publicly under the alias “LockBitSupp,” and developed and maintained the infrastructure used by affiliates to deploy LockBit attacks. Khoroshev is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov/.

    A total of seven LockBit members have now been charged in the District of New Jersey. Beyond Panev and Khoroshev, other previously charged LockBit defendants include:

    • In July, two LockBit affiliate members, Mikhail Vasiliev, also known as Ghostrider, Free, Digitalocean90, Digitalocean99, Digitalwaters99, and Newwave110, and Ruslan Astamirov, also known as BETTERPAY, offtitan, and Eastfarmer, pleaded guilty in the District of New Jersey for their participation in the LockBit ransomware group and admitted deploying multiple LockBit attacks against U.S. and foreign victims. Vasiliev and Astamirov are presently in custody awaiting sentencing.
    • In February, in parallel with the disruption operation described above, an indictment was unsealed in the District of New Jersey charging Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, also known as Bassterlord, with deploying LockBit against numerous victims throughout the United States, including businesses nationwide in the manufacturing and other industries, as well as victims around the world in the semiconductor and other industries. Sungatov and Kondratyev remain at large.
    • In May 2023, two indictments were unsealed in Washington, D.C., and the District of New Jersey charging Mikhail Matveev, also known as Wazawaka, m1x, Boriselcin, and Uhodiransomwar, with using different ransomware variants, including LockBit, to attack numerous victims throughout the United States, including the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Matveev remains at large and is currently the subject of a reward of up to $10 million through the U.S. Department of State’s TOC Rewards Program, with information accepted through the FBI tip website at www.tips.fbi.gov/.

    The U.S. Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Rewards Program is offering rewards of:

    Information is accepted through the FBI tip website at tips.fbi.gov.

    Khoroshev, Matveev, Sungatov, and Kondratyev have also been designated for sanctions by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for their roles in launching cyberattacks.

    Victim Assistance

    LockBit victims are encouraged to contact the FBI and submit information at www.ic3.gov. As announced by the Department in February, law enforcement, through its disruption efforts, has developed decryption capabilities that may enable hundreds of victims around the world to restore systems encrypted using the LockBit ransomware variant. Submitting information at the IC3 site will enable law enforcement to determine whether affected systems can be successfully decrypted.

    LockBit victims are also encouraged to visit www.justice.gov/usao-nj/lockbit for case updates and information regarding their rights under U.S. law, including the right to submit victim impact statements and request restitution, in the criminal litigation against Panev, Astamirov, and Vasiliev.

    The FBI Newark Field Office, under the supervision of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, is investigating the LockBit ransomware variant. Israel’s Office of the State Attorney, Department of International Affairs, and Israel National Police; France’s Gendarmerie Nationale Cyberspace Command, Paris Prosecution Office — Cyber Division, and judicial authorities at the Tribunal Judiciare of Paris; Europol; Eurojust; the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency; Germany’s Landeskriminalamt Schleswig-Holstein, Bundeskriminalamt, and the Central Cybercrime Department North Rhine-Westphalia; Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice, Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Canton of Zurich, and Zurich Cantonal Police; Spain’s Policia Nacional and Guardia Civil; Japan’s National Police Agency; Australian Federal Police; Sweden’s Polismyndighetens; Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police; Politie Dienst Regionale Recherche Oost-Brabant of the Netherlands; and Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation have provided significant assistance and coordination in these matters and in the LockBit investigation generally.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly, David E. Malagold, and Vinay Limbachia for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorneys Debra Ireland and Jorge Gonzalez of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the charges against Panev and the other previously charged LockBit defendants in the District of New Jersey.

    The Justice Department’s Cybercrime Liaison Prosecutor to Eurojust, Office of International Affairs, and National Security Division also provided significant assistance.

    Additional details on protecting networks against LockBit ransomware are available at StopRansomware.gov. These include Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Advisories AA23-325A, AA23-165A, and AA23-075A. 

    The charges and allegations contained in the superseding complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    Defense counsel: Frank Arleo, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh Steps Down

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Christopher R. Kavanaugh announced today that he will step down as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, resigning from the Department of Justice, effective Friday, December 20, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. after serving more than three years in office.

    “Four years ago, Chris Kavanaugh was one of the first people I brought in to join the Office of the Deputy Attorney General because of his experience within the Department and his leadership on national security issues,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Throughout his distinguished career – at Main Justice, as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia and the Western District of Virginia, and as United States Attorney – Chris has served the Department and his fellow Virginians with integrity and tenacity. I am grateful for his service.”

    Mr. Kavanaugh was sworn in by Deputy Attorney General Monaco on October 7, 2021, after having been unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate.  Mr. Kavanaugh was later appointed to be a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, a group that advises the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General on emerging policy issues facing the Department and the United States Attorney community.  Mr. Kavanaugh also chaired the AGAC’s National Security Subcommittee, which supported the Department’s enhanced focus on investigations and prosecutions of malign foreign influence and nation state threats.   

    “Chris Kavanaugh has been an incredible partner for ATF and a national leader in the fight against violent crime.  He has worked side-by-side with law enforcement to bring impactful cases, prosecute dangerous criminals, and lead in the innovative use of Crime Gun Intelligence to make Virginia, and this Nation, safer,” said Steven M. Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    During his tenure, Mr. Kavanaugh led the U.S. Attorney’s Office through a transitional period, expanding its footprint, hiring a record number of federal prosecutors and staff, and spearheading ground-breaking criminal and affirmative civil enforcements.

    “Every day, the public servants of United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia work to make the District – and our Nation – a safer and better place for us all,” United States Attorney Kavanaugh said today.  “It has been the honor of my life to lead this team of selfless individuals who are so dedicated to fairness, the rule of law, and doing what is right.  I know that WDVA will continue to make an outsized impact as citizens of the Justice Department, and I look forward to its future.

    I thank President Biden for nominating me, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine for their recommendation, and Attorney General Garland and Deputy Attorney General Monaco for leading the Department and supporting the United States Attorney community during my tenure.  It has been an honor to serve the American people.”

    Under Mr. Kavanaugh’s leadership, the Western District of Virginia has achieved notable successes in numerous complex criminal and civil cases. For example:

    United States v. McKinsey & Company

    For the first time ever, a management consulting firm was held criminally responsible for advice resulting in the commission of a crime by a client, Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin. McKinsey & Company agreed to pay $650 million to resolve criminal and civil investigations into the firm’s consulting work, including a 2013 engagement with Purdue Pharma which McKinsey advised on steps to ‘turbocharge’ sales of OxyContin.  A former senior partner at McKinsey & Company also agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of obstruction of justice for deleting Purdue related documents in an attempt to obstruct future investigations.

    United States v. Envigo

    In 2024, the Western District of Virginia obtained criminal convictions of Envigo, a biotechnology company dedicated to breeding animals for medical research with locations throughout North America.  WDVA’s investigation revealed that Envigo was mistreating animals in violation of the Animal Welfare Act and polluting waterways in violation of the Clean Water Act.  After a federal search warrant was executed, the Justice Department secured the surrender of over 4,000 beagles from an Envigo facility in Cumberland, Virginia. Envigo pled guilty to violating the Animal Welfare Act and the Clean Water Act, agreeing to pay more than $35 million in criminal penalties and fines – a record for any prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act.

    The Killing of Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler

    Tragedy struck the small town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia in the early morning hours of November 13, 2021, when Big Stone Gap Police Officer Michael Chandler was murdered while responding to a disturbance call.  The United States Attorney’s Office for WDVA brought federal charges against not only the person who shot and killed Chandler, Michael Donivan White, but also 18 other defendants who were a part of a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.  Over the last few years, every single defendant has been convicted. White is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2025 and faces between 40- and 100-years’ incarceration.

    The Bribery Trial of Sheriff Scott Jenkins

    This week, a federal jury in the Charlottesville Division of WDVA returned guilty verdicts on all counts against former Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins.  Jenkins had accepted numerous cash bribes and bribes in the form of campaign contributions from at least eight different people – one of whom he believed to be a felon – in exchange for appointing them as Auxiliary Deputy Sheriffs.  A jury found Jenkins guilty of bribery, honest services fraud, and conspiracy after a trial and he will be sentenced in March 2025.

    District Transformation

    In addition to the case work victories, under Mr. Kavanaugh’s leadership, the U.S Attorney’s Office itself has transformed. Offices in Abingdon and Charlottesville have expanded, and the Office was awarded a nearly 20% increase in Assistant United States Attorneys, expanding the level of federal prosecutors to their highest levels in history.  In a challenging budget climate, Mr. Kavanaugh has also made strides to modernize the Office’s capabilities to process voluminous amounts of documents for its more sophisticated prosecutions.

    “On behalf of FBI Richmond, I sincerely thank Chris Kavanaugh for his service as U.S. Attorney. His unwavering commitment to justice and his exceptional partnership have been instrumental in advancing our shared mission of keeping Virginia safe. Chris’ leadership and collaboration have made a profound impact, and we deeply appreciate his dedication to ensuring the rule of law prevails,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Richmond Division.

    “U.S. Attorney Kavanaugh’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in our initiatives to safeguard the health and safety of the citizens of Western Virginia. His determination in developing effective judicial strategies have contributed to the dismantling of many drug-trafficking networks and significantly mitigating this threat to our communities. We extend our best wishes to him in his future endeavors,” said Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division.

    Prior to his time as United States Attorney, Mr. Kavanaugh was an Assistant United States Attorney for 14 years, having served in United States Attorney’s Offices for both the Western District of Virginia and the District of Columbia.  During his career, Mr. Kavanaugh directed numerous multi-agency investigations and prosecutions, with a focus on national security, white-collar crime, civil rights, and violent crimes involving racketeering and homicides. In WDVA, he served as the District’s chief national security prosecutor and Senior Litigation Counsel.  Among other matters, he led the Department’s investigations and prosecutions into the Unite the Right riots of August 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Just prior to his confirmation, Mr. Kavanaugh was Senior Counsel to Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dutch National Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Money Laundering

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Xiomara Christian, age 37, of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, was sentenced yesterday to 33 months of incarceration following her guilty plea to conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

    As part of her guilty plea on October 10, 2024, Christian admitted that from May 2017 to November 2018, she and a co-conspirator laundered drug proceeds from Europe and Australia through bank accounts in the Northern District of New York, intending to conceal the true source of the proceeds, and to make it appear as though the money was legally obtained through legitimate business transactions.

    On October 4, 2018, Christian delivered €101,950 ($114,816.09) in drug proceeds to an undercover agent with the National Police of The Netherlands in The Netherlands. On October 5, 2018, an undercover agent with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission picked up $85,000 AUD ($57,843 USD) in drug proceeds from another co-conspirator in Melbourne, Australia. Christian then had the money wired through a bank account in Latham, New York, and sent to bank accounts in Panama.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered the entry of a money judgment against Christian in the amount of $172,659. Christian faces removal from the United States following service of her term of imprisonment.

    The DEA investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Louisville Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Louisville, KY – A Louisville man was sentenced today to 11 years and 7 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing child pornography.     

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Holman of the United States Secret Service made the announcement.

    “I commend the Secret Service and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office for their continuing work and partnership in combatting child exploitation throughout the Commonwealth,” said U.S. Attorney Bennett. Federal and state cooperation is crucial to the successful prosecution of those who harm our most vulnerable citizens.”   

    “Kentucky’s kids will be safer with this predator behind bars,” said Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman. “I’m grateful for the zealous collaboration with our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to demonstrate once again the serious consequences for the exploitation of our children.”

    Douglas Huelsman, 45, was sentenced to 11 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for one count of distribution and one count of possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Huelsman used an online messaging application to distribute and receive images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

    Huelsman was also ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution to multiple victims in the case.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was investigated by the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General’s Department of Criminal Investigations and the United States Secret Service.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Zimdahl prosecuted the case.

    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.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Captain in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Charged with Murder and Terrorism Offenses

    Source: United States Attorneys General 6

    Defendant Allegedly Orchestrated the Nov. 7, 2022, Murder of Stephen Troell, a U.S. Citizen Living in Iraq, in Retaliation for the January 2020 Death of Qasem Soleimani

    Note: View the unsealed complaint here.

    A complaint was unsealed today charging Mohammad Reza Nouri, 36, of Iran, also known as Muhammad Rida Husayn, Ali Asghar Nuri, and Abu Abbas, an Iranian national and officer in the IRGC, in connection with Nouri’s alleged role in orchestrating the Nov. 7, 2022, murder of American Stephen Troell in Baghdad, Iraq. Nouri was arrested in Iraq in March 2023.

    “The Department of Justice will not tolerate terrorists and authoritarian regimes targeting and murdering Americans anywhere in the world,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that Mohammad Reza Nouri, an officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the murder of Stephen Troell, an American citizen living in Iraq, carrying out the Iranian Regime’s efforts to take vengeance for the death of Qasim Soleimani. Stephen should still be alive today, and the Justice Department will work relentlessly to ensure accountability for his murder.”

    “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains determined to target U.S. citizens, and orchestrated a cold-blooded plot to brutally murder Stephen Troell, a Tennessee native working at an English language institute in Iraq,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “According to the allegations, Mohammad Reza Nouri, an IRGC captain, played a key role in planning the attack in which Troell was ambushed as he drove home from work with his wife. Today’s announcement makes clear that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate the IRGC’s ruthless attacks on Americans, here in the United States or overseas, and will hold accountable any who seek to harm our citizens.”

    “As alleged, Mohammad Reza Nouri, a Captain in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the murder of American Steven Troell in Iraq,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Kim for the Southern District of New York. “Nouri is alleged to have gathered intelligence on Troell’s daily routine and whereabouts, procured weapons and vehicles, and provided safe harbor to the operatives who carried out the sinister plot to brutally attack Troell in front of his wife. As alleged, the Iranian regime is actively targeting U.S. citizens, such as Troell, living in countries around the world for kidnapping and execution both to repress and silence dissidents critical of the regime and to take vengeance for the death of Qasem Soleimani. This office will not stand by when an American is attacked and murdered in cold blood, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to bring Nouri to justice.”

    “As alleged in the complaint, Nouri facilitated Troell’s murder. He gathered information and coordinated with a co-conspirator to procure supplies that operatives relied on during their attack on Troell,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring IRGC operatives, including Nouri’s co-conspirator, to justice for harming Americans.”

    According to court documents, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) is actively targeting nationals of the United States and its allies living in countries around the world for kidnapping and/or execution both to repress and silence dissidents critical of the Iranian regime and to take vengeance for the January 2020 death of then-Commander of the IRGC-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. The IRGC is an Iranian military and counterintelligence agency under the authority of Iran’s Supreme Leader, comprised of components including an external operations force, the IRGC-QF, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State since April 15, 2019. The IRGC has publicly stated its desire to avenge the death of Soleimani, and, among its activities, the IRGC plots and conducts attack operations outside Iran targeting U.S. citizens residing in the United States and abroad. In November 2022, the Iranian regime struck in Iraq: a group of operatives working on behalf of the IRGC brutally murdered Stephen Troell, a 45-year-old American living in Baghdad, where he worked at an English language institute, as Troell was driving home with his wife after work.

    Nouri is an IRGC Captain who works for the IRGC in Iraq and is involved in the IRGC’s external attack plotting against U.S. citizens and others. Nouri played a key role in the IRGC’s targeting and ultimate murder of Troell, whom Nouri appears to have believed was working as an American or Israeli intelligence officer. Nouri, on behalf of the IRGC, collected critical, highly personal information about Troell to facilitate stalking, attacking, and ultimately killing Troell. Nouri, with the assistance of co-conspirators, developed a source with access to details of Troell’s life and daily routine. With this information, Nouri created intelligence documents for his IRGC associates and a group of operatives recruited to execute the attack, which included Troell’s date of birth, coordinates of his residence, occupation, work schedule, telephone number, wife’s name, and children’s names, among other information. In the weeks leading up to the murder, Nouri coordinated with one of his co-conspirators (CC-1) in the plot targeting Troell to procure some of the means for attacking Troell, including firearms as well as a vehicle for use in the lethal attack on Troell. On the evening of Nov. 7, 2022, the group of recruited operatives carried out the attack. Troell was driving home from work with his wife when heavily armed gunmen in two cars forced the Troells to stop shortly before they reached their residence, blocked any possible escape route, approached Troell on the driver’s side, and, using an assault weapon, shot and killed Troell as his wife witnessed the attack in the passenger seat.   

    On the day of the murder, Nouri coordinated with CC-1 shortly before and immediately after the attack. Nouri and CC-1 spoke repeatedly in the hours leading up to the attack. Less than a half hour after the attack, Nouri sent CC-1 encrypted messages inquiring about the wellbeing of the operatives tasked with carrying out the hit on Troell, asking, “The guys are fine?” and “They are doing well?” to which CC-1 responded, “One is injured.”  As the night went on, CC-1 continued to update Nouri, noting that “two so far” of the operatives on the hit squad — whom Nouri referred to as “our guys” — had gathered safely since the murder, that “the rest are on the way,” and that the injury sustained by one of their confederates was “slight.”  In the course of these encrypted messages, Nouri and CC-1 celebrated the events of the day and their success. That night, after the murder, Nouri left Iraq for Iran. Shortly before departing Baghdad, Nouri visited a religious site associated with mourning for Soleimani’s death.

    Following the murder, approximately nine of the operatives on the hit squad also left Iraq and entered Iran, where they joined Nouri. In Iran, Nouri arranged housing for the operatives, providing them safe harbor in the aftermath of the murder. Nouri and another IRGC official addressed the operatives during their stay in Iran, offered their blessings to the hit squad, and told them that Troell was purportedly a spy on behalf of America and Israel, that Troell threatened Islam by attracting Iraqi youths to the Jewish religion and spreading it in Iraq, and that Troell therefore deserved to be murdered.

    In March 2023, Iraqi authorities arrested Nouri, and he was subsequently convicted by an Iraqi court for his role in Troell’s murder. Nouri remains in custody in Iraq.

    Nouri has been charged with conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to take hostages, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to murder U.S. nationals outside the United States, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; murdering a U.S. national outside the United States, and faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; and  causing death through the use of a firearm, and faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; Justice Department’s Attaché in Iraq; FBI Legal Attaché office in Iraq; Iraqi authorities; and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig, Matthew J.C. Hellman, and Kyle A. Wirshba for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorneys Joshua Champagne and Timothy J. Reardon III of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Captain in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Charged with Murder and Terrorism Offenses

    Source: US State of California

    Defendant Allegedly Orchestrated the Nov. 7, 2022, Murder of Stephen Troell, a U.S. Citizen Living in Iraq, in Retaliation for the January 2020 Death of Qasem Soleimani

    Note: View the unsealed complaint here.

    A complaint was unsealed today charging Mohammad Reza Nouri, 36, of Iran, also known as Muhammad Rida Husayn, Ali Asghar Nuri, and Abu Abbas, an Iranian national and officer in the IRGC, in connection with Nouri’s alleged role in orchestrating the Nov. 7, 2022, murder of American Stephen Troell in Baghdad, Iraq. Nouri was arrested in Iraq in March 2023.

    “The Department of Justice will not tolerate terrorists and authoritarian regimes targeting and murdering Americans anywhere in the world,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We allege that Mohammad Reza Nouri, an officer in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the murder of Stephen Troell, an American citizen living in Iraq, carrying out the Iranian Regime’s efforts to take vengeance for the death of Qasim Soleimani. Stephen should still be alive today, and the Justice Department will work relentlessly to ensure accountability for his murder.”

    “The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps remains determined to target U.S. citizens, and orchestrated a cold-blooded plot to brutally murder Stephen Troell, a Tennessee native working at an English language institute in Iraq,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “According to the allegations, Mohammad Reza Nouri, an IRGC captain, played a key role in planning the attack in which Troell was ambushed as he drove home from work with his wife. Today’s announcement makes clear that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate the IRGC’s ruthless attacks on Americans, here in the United States or overseas, and will hold accountable any who seek to harm our citizens.”

    “As alleged, Mohammad Reza Nouri, a Captain in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, orchestrated the murder of American Steven Troell in Iraq,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Kim for the Southern District of New York. “Nouri is alleged to have gathered intelligence on Troell’s daily routine and whereabouts, procured weapons and vehicles, and provided safe harbor to the operatives who carried out the sinister plot to brutally attack Troell in front of his wife. As alleged, the Iranian regime is actively targeting U.S. citizens, such as Troell, living in countries around the world for kidnapping and execution both to repress and silence dissidents critical of the regime and to take vengeance for the death of Qasem Soleimani. This office will not stand by when an American is attacked and murdered in cold blood, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to bring Nouri to justice.”

    “As alleged in the complaint, Nouri facilitated Troell’s murder. He gathered information and coordinated with a co-conspirator to procure supplies that operatives relied on during their attack on Troell,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring IRGC operatives, including Nouri’s co-conspirator, to justice for harming Americans.”

    According to court documents, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) is actively targeting nationals of the United States and its allies living in countries around the world for kidnapping and/or execution both to repress and silence dissidents critical of the Iranian regime and to take vengeance for the January 2020 death of then-Commander of the IRGC-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), Qasem Soleimani, who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad. The IRGC is an Iranian military and counterintelligence agency under the authority of Iran’s Supreme Leader, comprised of components including an external operations force, the IRGC-QF, and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Secretary of State since April 15, 2019. The IRGC has publicly stated its desire to avenge the death of Soleimani, and, among its activities, the IRGC plots and conducts attack operations outside Iran targeting U.S. citizens residing in the United States and abroad. In November 2022, the Iranian regime struck in Iraq: a group of operatives working on behalf of the IRGC brutally murdered Stephen Troell, a 45-year-old American living in Baghdad, where he worked at an English language institute, as Troell was driving home with his wife after work.

    Nouri is an IRGC Captain who works for the IRGC in Iraq and is involved in the IRGC’s external attack plotting against U.S. citizens and others. Nouri played a key role in the IRGC’s targeting and ultimate murder of Troell, whom Nouri appears to have believed was working as an American or Israeli intelligence officer. Nouri, on behalf of the IRGC, collected critical, highly personal information about Troell to facilitate stalking, attacking, and ultimately killing Troell. Nouri, with the assistance of co-conspirators, developed a source with access to details of Troell’s life and daily routine. With this information, Nouri created intelligence documents for his IRGC associates and a group of operatives recruited to execute the attack, which included Troell’s date of birth, coordinates of his residence, occupation, work schedule, telephone number, wife’s name, and children’s names, among other information. In the weeks leading up to the murder, Nouri coordinated with one of his co-conspirators (CC-1) in the plot targeting Troell to procure some of the means for attacking Troell, including firearms as well as a vehicle for use in the lethal attack on Troell. On the evening of Nov. 7, 2022, the group of recruited operatives carried out the attack. Troell was driving home from work with his wife when heavily armed gunmen in two cars forced the Troells to stop shortly before they reached their residence, blocked any possible escape route, approached Troell on the driver’s side, and, using an assault weapon, shot and killed Troell as his wife witnessed the attack in the passenger seat.   

    On the day of the murder, Nouri coordinated with CC-1 shortly before and immediately after the attack. Nouri and CC-1 spoke repeatedly in the hours leading up to the attack. Less than a half hour after the attack, Nouri sent CC-1 encrypted messages inquiring about the wellbeing of the operatives tasked with carrying out the hit on Troell, asking, “The guys are fine?” and “They are doing well?” to which CC-1 responded, “One is injured.”  As the night went on, CC-1 continued to update Nouri, noting that “two so far” of the operatives on the hit squad — whom Nouri referred to as “our guys” — had gathered safely since the murder, that “the rest are on the way,” and that the injury sustained by one of their confederates was “slight.”  In the course of these encrypted messages, Nouri and CC-1 celebrated the events of the day and their success. That night, after the murder, Nouri left Iraq for Iran. Shortly before departing Baghdad, Nouri visited a religious site associated with mourning for Soleimani’s death.

    Following the murder, approximately nine of the operatives on the hit squad also left Iraq and entered Iran, where they joined Nouri. In Iran, Nouri arranged housing for the operatives, providing them safe harbor in the aftermath of the murder. Nouri and another IRGC official addressed the operatives during their stay in Iran, offered their blessings to the hit squad, and told them that Troell was purportedly a spy on behalf of America and Israel, that Troell threatened Islam by attracting Iraqi youths to the Jewish religion and spreading it in Iraq, and that Troell therefore deserved to be murdered.

    In March 2023, Iraqi authorities arrested Nouri, and he was subsequently convicted by an Iraqi court for his role in Troell’s murder. Nouri remains in custody in Iraq.

    Nouri has been charged with conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to provide material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to take hostages, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; conspiring to murder U.S. nationals outside the United States, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison; murdering a U.S. national outside the United States, and faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison; and  causing death through the use of a firearm, and faces a maximum penalty of death or life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterterrorism Division is investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; Justice Department’s Attaché in Iraq; FBI Legal Attaché office in Iraq; Iraqi authorities; and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig, Matthew J.C. Hellman, and Kyle A. Wirshba for the Southern District of New York and Trial Attorneys Joshua Champagne and Timothy J. Reardon III of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Appeal to trace witnesses following fatal shooting in Brent

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the murder of Michelle Sadio have issued an image of individuals they are keen to speak to.

    Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation into Michelle’s murder and have today released an image of people they believe may have information about the occupants of a car linked to the shooting.

    The car, a black Kia Niro with distinctive alloys, with the number plate LA23 XRE was being driven by the suspects who then fired a number of shots in Gifford Road, NW10 on Saturday, 14 December.

    Michelle was one of three people injured and she sadly died at the scene.

    Following the shooting, the car was driven from Gifford Road to Barnhill Road where it was then abandoned and set alight.

    Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our investigation has progressed at pace but we are still keen to hear from anyone who can help piece together the series of events which led to Michelle’s murder.

    “We have an image of a number of people who were seen speaking to the occupants of a black Kia Niro of interest on Church Road, NW10 at 20:50hrs on Saturday, 14 December.

    “Are you one of the people pictured in the white Mercedes or on the pavement nearby, or do you recognise anyone? Did you hear or see something either before or after the shooting that may help with the investigation?

    “I would like to stress that none of those pictured have done anything wrong. They may not live in the area but they could hold information that is important to the investigation and I urge them to contact us.”

    At approximately 21:15hrs on Saturday, police were called to reports of the shooting, which happened as Michelle and others were standing outside the church following a wake. Officers and London Ambulance Service paramedics attended the scene.

    Michelle, aged 44, was found suffering serious injuries – despite the efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Michelle’s family have been informed and continue to be supported by specialist officers. They have requested that media respect their privacy during this difficult time.

    Two men, both aged in their 30s, also suffered injuries. One remains in hospital in a critical condition; the other man’s injuries are not life threatening.

    There have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

    Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference CAD 7137/14DEC.

    You can also provide information, or upload images and footage, through the online portal here or by scanning the attached QR code.

    Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 2024: Eurojust year in review

    Source: Eurojust

    Here are a few highlights:

    Deepening Cooperation with Latin America

    Organised crime groups are increasingly operating on a global scale, which means efforts for cooperation with partner countries outside of the EU is a priority. With 68% of the most threatening criminal networks operate globally, and 36% of these networks engaged in drug trafficking, forging closer partnerships with countries who are frequent origin or transit points is critical.

    Over the course of the year, new Working Arrangements were signed between Eurojust and the Prosecution Services of Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru. These arrangements strengthen cooperation in crime areas that affect both the EU and Latin American countries, such as drug and arms trafficking, money laundering and cybercrime.

    Launch of the European Judicial Organised Crime Network

    In September, we took another important step in the fight against organised crime with the launch of the European Judicial Organised Crime Network (EJOCN). The Network, which is hosted at Eurojust, aims to go beyond investigation-based collaboration to combat organised crime strategically. Specialised prosecutors from all EU Member States are brought together to focus on the horizontal issues that arise in the investigation and prosecution of high-risk criminal groups. This will allow them to tackle recurring legal challenges and identify new, practical opportunities for closer cooperation.

    The members benefit from Eurojust’s unique operational expertise in setting up joint investigation teams and using other judicial cooperation tools in cross-border criminal investigations. The first priority focus of the EJOCN is combatting drug-related organised crime connected to European ports and other logistic hubs.

    Supporting Accountability Efforts in Ukraine

    Documenting and prosecuting core international crimes is a long-term commitment and Eurojust remains resolute in our accountability efforts. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, we have been at the forefront of supporting accountability for Russian crimes. In July, we marked one year since the launch of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. The ICPA’s independent prosecutors and investigators from different countries have been working together regularly at Eurojust, benefitting from the Agency’s dedicated team of legal experts and tailor-made technical, logistical and financial support. This has enabled them to exchange information and evidence quickly and efficiently, and coordinate a common investigative and prosecutorial strategy.

    This year also saw the joint investigation team on alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine amend the JIT Agreement to enhance investigations on crimes of torture, ill-treatment and filtration.

    Hosting Partners in The Hague

    Our close partnership with national judicial authorities sits at the foundation of our Agency. Every year, we have thousands of prosecutors coming to Eurojust to discuss cases or participate in coordination centres or coordination meetings. In 2024, we were able to welcome many high level visitors, including the President of Slovenia, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, Ministers of Justice and Interior from many EU Member States, and many others.

    These visits are opportunities to discuss ways to strengthen judicial cooperation, update national authorities on Eurojust’s work, and identify opportunities for closer collaboration.

    Welcoming our New Presidency

    2024 was also marked by a change in Eurojust’s leadership, with Mr Ladislav Hamran bidding the Agency farewell after serving 11 years in the Presidency – 7 as President and 4 as Vice-President. Austrian National Member Mr Michael Schmid was elected as his successor, with his 4-year tenure beginning in November. We also welcomed a new Vice-President, Spanish National Member Jose de la Mata, in December.

    With no equivalent worldwide, Eurojust continued to deliver remarkable results in 2024, enabling prosecutors and law enforcement authorities from the EU and beyond to bring perpetrators to justice.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miami Duo Found Guilty of Kidnapping and Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – On Dec. 17., James Edward Daniels, 59, and Frederick Eugene Rudolph, 69, of Miami, Fla., were found guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death, multiple counts of kidnapping resulting in death, and kidnapping, at trial before U.S. District Court Judge Roy K. Altman. 

    On Dec. 5, 2020, Daniels, Rudolph, and other co-conspirators kidnapped three victims from a truck yard in Opa Locka, Fla. They bound and tortured the victims, duct-taped their eyes, and threw them into the back of a rented van after stealing the victims’ drugs. They drove around the city for hours before taking the victims to an abandoned house in Opa-Locka and attempting to execute them by shooting the three victims. Two of the victims died, while one miraculously survived.

    Daniels stole jewelry from one of the murdered victims, and all the defendants benefitted by receiving drugs, money, or both, in exchange for their participation in the conspiracy.

    A third defendant, Herbert Barr, 56, pled guilty to kidnapping on Nov. 26.

    U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department, and Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.

    FBI Miami Division Homestead Resident Agency, Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Bureau,  and DEA Homestead Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yara Dodin, Nardia Haye, and Katie Guthrie are prosecuting the case.

    Sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2025, before Judge Altman. Daniels and Rudolph face up to life in prison, criminal fines of up to $250,000 as to each count, and up to a lifetime on supervised release.

    This investigation was carried out by members of the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force.  The South Florida HIDTA, established in 1990, is made up of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who, cooperatively, target the region’s drug-trafficking and money laundering organizations.  The South Florida HIDTA is funded by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, which sponsors a variety of initiatives focused the nation’s illicit drug trafficking threats. For more information regarding HIDTA visit https://www.dea.gov/operations/hidta.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 23-cr-20431.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: In Rome, in the Holy Land and throughout the World. Vademecum to obtain Indulgences in the Jubilee Year 2025

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Friday, 20 December 2024

    by Gianni ValenteRome (Agenzia Fides) – In 2025, the Catholic Church will once again celebrate the Jubilee Year, a special time of remission and forgiveness, designed as an opportunity to intensely experience healing and liberation from sins and debts that oppress life and soul.The possibility of requesting and obtaining indulgences constitutes a central aspect of the Jubilee tradition. As Pope Francis points out in the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee 2025 (Spes non confundit, § 23): «Not by chance, for the ancients, the terms “mercy” and “indulgence” were interchangeable, as expressions of the fullness of God’s forgiveness, which knows no bond».Below is a brief vademecum with the fundamental indications on how to request the gift of indulgences during the Jubilee, both in Rome, in the Holy Land and anywhere in the world.WHAT IS AN INDULGENCE«An indulgence is the remission before God of temporal punishment for sins whose guilt is already forgiven [i.e., for which absolution has already been obtained by confessing, ed.], which a properly disposed member of the Christian faithful gains under certain and defined conditions by the assistance of the Church which as minister of redemption dispenses and applies authoritatively the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints» (Codex Iuris Canonici, can. 992).WHAT IS TEMPORAL PUNISHMENTSin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1472).This second consequence of sin, that is, temporal punishment, to which one may still be obliged despite the forgiveness of sins obtained in Confession, can be fullfilled either here on earth (with voluntary prayers and penances, with works of piety, mortification and charity), or in the afterlife, in purgatory.WHAT IS PLENARY INDULGENCEPlenary indulgence in itself completely remits the temporal punishment resulting from sins that have already been forgiven as to guilt. This remission, in the case of mortal sins, necessarily requires sacramental Confession.WHO CAN OBTAIN INDULGENCESIndulgences can be obtained by all baptized persons who are not in a state of excommunication. However, to receive them, the faithful must be in God’s grace, that is, without mortal sin. This is because the debt of the temporal punishment can only be cancelled after the remission of the guilt and eternal punishment caused by sin, which is achieved through the sacrament of Confession.In cases where confession is not possible, sincere contrition, with the intention of accessing the sacrament of penance as soon as possible, may be sufficient to achieve remission.It is also essential to have the intention of obtaining the indulgence. The benefit of the indulgence is only granted to those who request it consciously and with the purpose of receiving it, with a positive attitude.HOW IS A PLENARY INDULGENCE OBTAINEDTo obtain a Plenary Indulgence, in addition to performing the specific act to which the Church has granted this grace, the following conditions must always be met:- Confession: confession must be individual and complete, that is, without deliberately omitting any sin.- Receive Eucharistic Communion.- Pray according to the Pope’s intentions: for example, an Our Father and a Hail Mary.HOW CAN EVERY FAITHFUL RECEIVE THE DAILY PLENARY INDULGENCE DURING THE JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2025?The norms for granting the plenary indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, published on May 13, 2024 by the Apostolic Penitentiary, presided over by Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, establish the specific acts that can lead to the acquisition of the daily plenary Indulgence throughout the Holy Year.In addition to fulfilling the usual conditions (detachment from sin, even venial; sacramental confession; Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Holy Father), the faithful will be able to perform a series of specific acts that will allow them to receive the plenary indulgence each day of the Jubilee. These acts are listed below:* PILGRIMAGES AND VISITS TO HOLY PLACESThe faithful can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence if they make a pilgrimage to any holy Jubilee place. During this pilgrimage, they must actively participate in one of the following activities: Holy Mass, or Stations of the Cross, or the Recitation of the Holy Rosary or the Akathist hymn, or a Penitential Celebration, which concludes with the individual confession of the penitents.- IN ROME AND IN ITALYIf they are in Rome, to request the Plenary Indulgence, the faithful can make a pilgrimage to at least one of the four Major Papal Basilicas (Saint Peter’s – the Vatican Basilica, Basilica of Saint John Lateran, Basilica of Saint Mary Major and Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls).On the special occasion of the Jubilee Year, in addition to the places of pilgrimage mentioned above, it will also be possible to visit: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem), Basilica di San Lorenzo al Verano (The Basilica of Saint Lawrence “Outside the Walls” lies next to the Verano Cemetery), Basilica di San Sebastiano (Basilica of Saint Sebastian, stops that complete the visit known as “the seven Churches”, so dear to St. Philip Neri), il Santuario del Divino Amore (The Sanctuary of Divine Love), la chiesa di Santo Spirito in Sassia (the church of the Holy Spirit in Sassia), la chiesa di San Paolo alle Tre Fontane (Church of St. Paul of Three Fountains – site of the Martyrdom of the Apostle), the Christian Catacombs; in addition, it will be possible to visit (and carry out the pious practices provided there) the churches on the jubilee routes dedicated to the Iter Europaeum and the churches dedicated to the Patronesses of Europe and to the Doctors of the Church, respectively: Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Santa Brigida in Campo de’ Fiori, the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, the church of Trinità dei Monti, Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Basilica of Sant’Agostino in Campo Marzio).In Italy, jubilee pilgrimages can also be made to the two minor Papal Basilicas of Assisi: Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi (Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi) and Santa Maria degli Angeli. And the papal basilicas of: Madonna di Loreto (Our Lady of Loreto) della Madonna di Pompei (Our Lady of Pompei), and Sant’Antonio di Padova (Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padu).- IN THE HOLY LANDIn the land of Jesus, it will be possible to make Jubilee pilgrimages and ask for plenary indulgence by visiting at least one of the three Basilicas of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, of the Nativity in Bethlehem, of the Annunciation in Nazareth.- WORLDWIDEIn other ecclesiastical circumscriptions, the faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence if, individually or in a group, they devoutly visit any sacred place (minor basilicas, cathedral churches, Marian shrines) designated as a Jubilee place by each diocesan Bishop, as well as national or international shrines, indicated by the Episcopal Conferences. There, for an appropriate time, they must dedicate time to Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any of its legitimate forms and invocations to Mary, Mother of God.Sincerely repentant faithful who, for serious reasons, cannot participate in pilgrimages and pious visits (for example, cloistered monks and nuns, the sick and those in prison) can obtain the Jubilee Indulgence under the same conditions if, united in spirit with the faithful present, especially at the moments when the words of the Supreme Pontiff or the diocesan Bishops will be disseminated through the media, they recite the Our Father, the Profession of Faith and other prayers in conformity with the purposes of the Holy Year.* WORKS OF MERCY AND PENANCEIn addition to making pilgrimages or pious visits to the Jubilee sites, the faithful can obtain the jubilee indulgence through:- Participation in POPULAR MISSIONS;- Participation in SPIRITUAL EXERCISES or FORMATION MEETINGS on the texts of the Second Vatican Council and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, held in a church or other suitable place.- Performing Corporal and Spiritual WORKS OF MERCY.- Performing PENITENTIAL ACTS, such as:a) Rediscovering the penitential value of Fridays, by abstaining for at least one day from useless distractions (induced, for example, by the media and social networks) and from superfluous consumption (for example, by fasting or practicing abstinence according to the general norms of the Church and donating a proportionate sum of money to the poor).b) Supporting works of a religious or social nature, especially in favor of the defense and protection of life in all its phases, of abandoned children, of young people in difficulty, of the elderly in need or alone, of migrants from various countries.c) Dedicate an appropriate part of one’s free time to voluntary activities of interest to the community or to other similar forms of personal commitment.Despite the general rule according to which only one Plenary Indulgence can be obtained per day (cf. Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, IV ed., norm. 18, § 1), the Instruction issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary with the norms for receiving Plenary Indulgences during the Jubilee Year 2025 states that “the faithful who have performed the act of charity in favor of the souls in Purgatory, if they legitimately approach the sacrament of Communion for the second time on the same day, may obtain a Plenary Indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased (it is understood within a Eucharistic celebration). (Agenzia Fides, 20/12/2024)

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces changes to the Ministry

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced changes to the Ministry. The new Ministry will deliver on what matters most to Canadians: making life more affordable and growing the economy.

    Building on the work done since 2015 to invest in Canadians, the team will continue to move forward on housing, child care, and school food while working to put more money back in people’s pockets.

    The changes to the Ministry are as follows:

    • Anita Anand becomes Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
    • Gary Anandasangaree becomes Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
    • Steven MacKinnon becomes Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
    • Ginette Petitpas Taylor becomes President of the Treasury Board

    The Prime Minister also welcomed the following new members to the Ministry:

    • Rachel Bendayan becomes Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety
    • Élisabeth Brière becomes Minister of National Revenue
    • Terry Duguid becomes Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada
    • Nate Erskine-Smith becomes Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    • Darren Fisher becomes Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
    • David J. McGuinty becomes Minister of Public Safety
    • Ruby Sahota becomes Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
    • Joanne Thompson becomes Minister of Seniors

    These new ministers will work with all members of Cabinet to deliver real, positive change for Canadians. They join the following ministers remaining in their portfolio:

    • Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services
    • Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
    • François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
    • Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Quebec Lieutenant
    • Karina Gould, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
    • Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    • Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
    • Mark Holland, Minister of Health
    • Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development
    • Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
    • Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
    • Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
    • Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
    • Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs
    • Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
    • Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    • Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
    • Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
    • Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development
    • Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
    • Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
    • Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage
    • Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
    • Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business
    • Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
    • Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

    Quote

    “Our team is focused on the things that matter most to you – making life more affordable, growing the economy, and creating good jobs for the middle class. Together, we will keep building a strong future for the middle class, and for all Canadians.”

    Quick Facts

    • Since 2015, the Ministry has made real progress for the middle class and those working hard to join it – from lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty with the Canada Child Benefit to delivering on our promise of $10-a-day child care and the National School Food Program.
    • With the changes announced today, the Ministry retains a total of 38 ministers, in addition to the Prime Minister. In keeping with the precedent set in 2015, there is an equal number of women and men.
    • The Cabinet is the central decision-making forum in government, responsible for its administration and the establishment of its policy. Its members are each responsible for individual portfolios or departments.

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rapid Health Agrees to Pay $8.2M for Allegedly Billing Medicare for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests That Were Not Provided to Beneficiaries

    Source: US State of California

    Covid Test DMV LLC, doing business as Rapid Health (Rapid Health), a pharmacy located in Los Angeles, has agreed to pay the United States $8,242,860 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for over-the-counter (OTC) Covid-19 tests that were not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

    Between April 2022 and May 2023, Rapid Health distributed OTC Covid-19 tests in connection with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) OTC Covid-19 Test Demonstration Project (Demonstration Project). During the Demonstration Project, Medicare Part B beneficiaries could request OTC Covid-19 tests from participating providers, and CMS would reimburse those providers for up to eight OTC Covid-19 tests per Medicare Part B beneficiary per month at a fixed rate of $12 per test.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Rapid Health knowingly submitted or caused the submission of claims to Medicare for OTC Covid-19 tests that Rapid Health never provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare patients could order OTC Covid-19 tests from Rapid Health during the Demonstration Project through Rapid Health’s website. When Rapid Health received an order, it was supposed to process the order, generate a shipping label, and send the OTC Covid-19 test to the beneficiary. The United States alleged that issues with Rapid Health’s processing procedures caused Rapid Health to bill orders to Medicare without shipping the test to the beneficiary, and that although Rapid Health was aware of these issues it nevertheless continued to bill Medicare for tests that were not shipped.

    “The Demonstration Project was designed to increase the availability of OTC Covid-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in an unprecedented time of need,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Providers that knowingly billed for tests that were never given to patients failed to support the goals of the project and defrauded the American taxpayers.”

    “This outcome serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to combat health care fraud and investigate those who allegedly attempt to exploit and defraud Medicare and other federally funded health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “With our local, state and federal partners, HHS-OIG will continue to work aggressively to ensure the dependability and the integrity of the Medicare program.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and HHS-OIG.

    Trial Attorney Lindsay DeFrancesco of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section handled the matter.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across the federal government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international actors committing civil and criminal fraud and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Denver Man Sentenced for Operating Illegal Gambling Parlor

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

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Jonathan Arvay, 38, of Denver, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison after being found guilty by a federal jury on one count of conducting an illegal gambling business and one count of conspiracy to conduct an illegal gambling business.

    According to the facts established at trial, Arvay operated Player One Arcade in Denver, part of a network of gambling parlors extending from Greeley to Pueblo.  These parlors offered several electronic forms of gambling through games made to resemble arcade games, as well as virtual slot machines in which customers attempted to earn credits.  Upon completing their game of choice, customers would exchange any credits won for a purported cryptocurrency, Obsidian Digital Asset Coin (ODAC), whose only function was to be exchanged for cash at an ATM-like “cryptocurrency teller machine” next door to or within the gambling parlor.  Customers were required to pay a transaction fee to exchange the ODAC for U.S. currency.

    “This was a modern version of old-fashioned illegal gambling,” said Acting United States Attorney Matt Kirsch. “I am grateful for our local and federal partners who helped put this criminal in prison.”

    “This sentence reflects an appropriate resolution to a complicated case: When you launder money and commit fraud against the government, the FBI and our partners will track you down across jurisdictions,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek.

    “IRS-CI remains on the cutting edge of cybercrime investigations as financial crimes continue to become more sophisticated,” said Tom Demeo Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office. “We are committed to staying one step ahead of criminals and leveraging our partnerships with federal and local law enforcement agencies to protect the U.S. tax system.”

    United States District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the trial. The FBI Denver Field Division, the IRS Criminal Investigation Denver Field Office, and the Pueblo Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Cyrus Y. Chung, Alison Connaughty, and Jena Neuscheler handled the prosecution.

    Case Number: 23-cr-00222-GPG

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rapid Health Agrees to Pay $8.2M for Allegedly Billing Medicare for Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests That Were Not Provided to Beneficiaries

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Covid Test DMV LLC, doing business as Rapid Health (Rapid Health), a pharmacy located in Los Angeles, has agreed to pay the United States $8,242,860 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by knowingly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare for over-the-counter (OTC) Covid-19 tests that were not provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

    Between April 2022 and May 2023, Rapid Health distributed OTC Covid-19 tests in connection with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) OTC Covid-19 Test Demonstration Project (Demonstration Project). During the Demonstration Project, Medicare Part B beneficiaries could request OTC Covid-19 tests from participating providers, and CMS would reimburse those providers for up to eight OTC Covid-19 tests per Medicare Part B beneficiary per month at a fixed rate of $12 per test.

    The settlement announced today resolves allegations that Rapid Health knowingly submitted or caused the submission of claims to Medicare for OTC Covid-19 tests that Rapid Health never provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare patients could order OTC Covid-19 tests from Rapid Health during the Demonstration Project through Rapid Health’s website. When Rapid Health received an order, it was supposed to process the order, generate a shipping label, and send the OTC Covid-19 test to the beneficiary. The United States alleged that issues with Rapid Health’s processing procedures caused Rapid Health to bill orders to Medicare without shipping the test to the beneficiary, and that although Rapid Health was aware of these issues it nevertheless continued to bill Medicare for tests that were not shipped.

    “The Demonstration Project was designed to increase the availability of OTC Covid-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in an unprecedented time of need,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Providers that knowingly billed for tests that were never given to patients failed to support the goals of the project and defrauded the American taxpayers.”

    “This outcome serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to combat health care fraud and investigate those who allegedly attempt to exploit and defraud Medicare and other federally funded health care programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “With our local, state and federal partners, HHS-OIG will continue to work aggressively to ensure the dependability and the integrity of the Medicare program.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and HHS-OIG.

    Trial Attorney Lindsay DeFrancesco of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section handled the matter.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department in partnership with agencies across the federal government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The task force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international actors committing civil and criminal fraud and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud affecting COVID-19 government relief programs can be reported by visiting the webpage of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, which can be found here. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can also report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI and Cincinnati Police Announce $15,000 Reward in Death of Five-Year-Old Arty Stanford

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

    The FBI and the Cincinnati Police Department today announced a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of Artagist “Arty” Stanford III.

    “Arty’s family has suffered greatly since this shooting and anyone responsible for his death should be held accountable,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “Someone in our community knows what happened that night and who was involved. We need anyone with information to do the right thing and contact law enforcement.”

    “Silence protects the wrong people,” said Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge. “Someone knows what happened. Someone holds the key to bringing closure to Arty’s family. Please speak up and help us bring justice for Arty.”

    On October 24, 2024, at approximately 5:48 a.m., the Cincinnati Emergency Communications Center received a report of a drive-by shooting at a house on Holland Drive. Initially, residents believed there were no injuries and the house only received damage from the gunfire. When police arrived, family members found five-year-old Artagist “Arty” Stanford III suffering from a gunshot wound to the head in an upstairs bedroom. There were at least seven bullet impact marks or bullet holes in the front of the house. One of the bullets passed through the front exterior wall into a second-floor bedroom and struck Arty in the head.

    Arty was taken to the hospital for treatment which included multiple surgeries. On October 26, 2024, Arty succumbed to his injuries and his death was ruled a homicide.

    Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Volta Finance Limited – Net Asset Value(s) as at 30 November 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Volta Finance Limited (VTA / VTAS)
    November 2024 monthly report

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

    Guernsey, December 20th, 2024

    AXA IM has published the Volta Finance Limited (the “Company” or “Volta Finance” or “Volta”) monthly report for November 2024. The full report is attached to this release and will be available on Volta’s website shortly (www.voltafinance.com).

    Performance and Portfolio Activity

    Dear Investors,

    Volta Finance achieved a net performance of +2.1% in November bringing the year-to-date return of the portfolio to +20.9%. Both our CLO Debt and our CLO Equity investments benefitted from a supportive macro backdrop and performed favorably.

    The US presidential elections were obviously the main event of the month, with Donald Trump securing a large and undisputed victory. His election boosted global markets despite the concerns about the potential implementation of a shift in US policies in the context of the geopolitical landscape (tariffs) as well as US domestic fiscal guidance. The dollar and US stocks rose sharply while Bitcoin hit all-time highs with a +90% YTD performance. US Treasuries yields also moved higher testing 4.45% and settling at around 4.2% as the CPI reports came broadly in-line with expectations.

    Credit markets were unsurprisingly much stronger over the month and fully benefited from the rally from the broader markets. High Yield indices in Europe (Xover) were roughly 15bps tighter in the +300bps context while US CDX High-Yield tightened by 40bps to +295bps. On the Loan side, Euro Loans closed slightly higher, 45 cents up at c. 98.00px (Morningstar European Leveraged Loan Index), while their US counterparts closed at 97.22px (up +32 cents). With returns of +20.9% Volta Finance continued to outperform broader Credit on a year-to-date basis: US High Yield returned +8.67%, Euro High Yield +7.93% and Global Loans +7.23% (SPLGAL).

    Primary CLO markets remained extremely busy, we recorded circa USD 62bn of issuance in the US and EUR 12bn in Europe. Spreads closed tighter across the capital structure as BB-rated tranches broke the +600bps resistance level in Europe, and tested sub +500bps in the US.

    Loan fundamentals showed no deviation from the path observed since the beginning of year with contained default rates under 1% and a stable proportion of CCC-rated Loans in CLO collateral portfolios (5% in US CLOs and 4% in Europe). Loan repayment rates kept on increasing at 28% in the US (+1% YoY growth rate of the Loan market) and 14% in Europe (+8% YoY market growth).

    The cashflow generation continued to be steady, highlighting the strength of Volta’s risk positioning. Over the last 6 month period, the cashflow generation was stable at c.€29m equivalent of interests and coupons, representing c.21% of November’s NAV on an annualized basis.

    Looking at Volta’s portfolio, two BB-rated debt tranches paid off at Par ($6.5m) with proceeds reinvested into New Issue US BB-rated CLO tranches. Additionally, c. $4m was reinvested across three CLO Equities and profits were taken on a short-dated European Equity to benefit from market strength and improve the portfolio’s maturity profile.

    Over the month, Volta’s CLO Equity tranches returned +2.3% performance** while CLO Debt tranches returned +1.3% performance**, cash representing c.3% of NAV. The fund being c.25% exposed to USD, the recent appreciation of USD vs EUR had a positive impact of +0.7% on the overall performance.

    As of end of November 2024, Volta’s NAV was €279.2m, i.e. €7.63 per share.

    *It should be noted that approximately 4.29% of Volta’s GAV comprises investments for which the relevant NAVs as at the month-end date are normally available only after Volta’s NAV has already been published. Volta’s policy is to publish its NAV on as timely a basis as possible to provide shareholders with Volta’s appropriately up-to-date NAV information. Consequently, such investments are valued using the most recently available NAV for each fund or quoted price for such subordinated notes. The most recently available fund NAV or quoted price was 0.21% as at 31 October 2024, 4.08% as at 30 September 2024.

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

    CONTACTS

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

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

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

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

    *****
    ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED

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

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

    *****

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

    *****

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

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

    *****

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

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

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

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

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

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

    *****

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Leishen Energy Holding Co., Ltd. Announces Closing of $5,500,000 Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Beijing, China, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leishen Energy Holding Co., Ltd. (the “Company” or “Leishen Energy”) (Nasdaq: LSE), a China-based provider of clean-energy equipment and integrated solutions for the oil and gas industry, today announced the closing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,375,000 ordinary shares (“Shares”) at a public offering price of $4.00 per Share. The Shares began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 19, 2024, under the ticker symbol “LSE”.

    The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of $5,500,000 from this Offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 206,250 Shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the construction of a high-tech manufacturing industrial park in the Nanjing Lishui High-tech Development Zone, PRC, for the establishment of its smart manufacturing and new energy R&D center, for the purchase of business equipment and other patented technologies, to strengthen and expand our presence in the PRC Southwest oil and gas market, and to bolster its working capital.

    The offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. Dominari Securities LLC acted as lead underwriter and Revere Securities LLC as co-underwriter (collectively, the “underwriters”) for the Offering. Sichenzia Ross Ference Carmel LLP acted as U.S. counsel to the Company for the Offering, and VCL Law LLP acted as counsel to the underwriters in connection with the Offering.

    The Shares described above are offered by the Company pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File Number: 333-282433), that was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 18, 2024. The Offering was made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the effective registration statement. A copy of the final prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained from Dominari Securities LLC, 725 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor New York, NY 10022, Attention: Eric Newman, or by calling (212) 393-4500 or emailing info@dominarisecurities.com or by logging on to the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Before you invest, you should read the prospectus and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the Company’s securities, nor shall such securities be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of any of the Company’s securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offers, solicitations or sales would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations, or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

    About Leishen Energy Holding Co., Ltd.

    The Leishen Group was founded in 2007 and is a China-based provider of clean-energy equipment and integrated solutions for the oil and gas industry, with a commitment to providing customers with high-performance, safe and cost-effective energy solutions. Our major lines of business include (i) sale of clean-energy industry; (ii) new energy production and operation; (iii) digitalization and integration equipment; and (iv) oil and gas engineering technical services. At present, the Group holds more than 70 patents and software copyrights, forming a comprehensive ecosystem of core technical capabilities. Currently, our business operations have expanded beyond the PRC to Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, and our service abilities and quality have been widely recognized and praised by foreign customers. Efficient, safe and energy-saving equipment combined with professional technical services have enabled our brand to gain positive attention and recognition from our customers and enabled us to become a well-known equipment and services provider in the oil and gas industry. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: www.r-egroup.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s share offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the offering will be successfully completed. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as “aim”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “going forward”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “propose”, “seek”, “should”, “will”, “would” or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Leishen Energy Holding Co., Ltd.

    Investor Relations Department

    Email: ir@r-egroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Des Moines Individuals Charged in Joint State and Federal Investigation of Fentanyl Trafficking Organization

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DES MOINES, Iowa – A federal grand jury in Des Moines returned a three-count indictment charging five Des Moines individuals with offenses related to fentanyl trafficking.

    The following individuals are charged in the Indictment:

    • Devonte Darnell Hassell, also known as “Domo”, “Dom”, and “Rose”, 28, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of fentanyl. He faces a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
    • Ryan Redmond, also known as “Chiefy”, 31, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of fentanyl. He faces a mandatory minimum 5‑year prison sentence and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
    • Kevin Stanley Harris, Jr., also known as “Rylo” and “Big Hands”, 42, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of fentanyl. He faces a mandatory minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum sentence of life in prison, as he is alleged to have a prior serious drug felony conviction.
    • Adonis Angel Devora, 43, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. She faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
    • Ricky Jamall Ellis, 30, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

    These individuals were all arrested on December 18, 2024: four in Des Moines, and one in Houston, Texas. The same day, thirteen federal search warrants were executed, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 610 grams of heroin/fentanyl mixture, approximately 135 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 260 grams of marijuana, as well as 19 firearms and more than $13,000 in U.S. currency.

    The charges stem from a months’ long investigation into fentanyl distribution within the Des Moines area.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and FBI Des Moines Central Iowa Gang Task Force (CIGTF) are investigating the case, with assistance from the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Narcotics Enforcement (DNE), Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Patrol SWAT, United States Marshals Service, Ames Police Department, West Des Moines Police Department, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force (MINE), Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Story County Sheriff’s Office, Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force (MIDTF), Central Iowa Drug Task Force (CIDTF), Suburban Emergency Response Team (SERT), Metro Special Tactics and Response (STAR), the Chicago, Illinois Police Department, and the Houston, Texas Police Department.

    This investigation 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.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dayton man charged federally with committing string of armed robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton man appeared in federal court on Dec. 19 on charges alleging he committed at least eight armed robberies in the area this month.

    Timothy Farr, 43, allegedly brandished a firearm at local gas stations and drive thru stores, demanding cash and cigarettes.

    According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, from Dec. 3 through Dec. 15, Farr committed multiple armed robberies at area businesses.

    Specifically, it is alleged that on Dec. 3, Farr, wearing a dark jacket, pants and shoes, as well as gray two-tone style gloves and a black balaclava mask covering part of his face, entered a Sunoco gas station on Wayne Avenue in Dayton at around 10pm. Farr allegedly brandished a black firearm and demanded cash from both registers. It is alleged Far also demanded several packs of cigarettes and a box of Black and Mild Filter Tips. Farr allegedly brought a green plastic bag with him for the cash and items.

    The next day around 11:30pm, Farr allegedly committed an armed robbery at a Marathon gas station on Linden Avenue in Riverside. Farr allegedly wore the same clothing as the first robbery with the addition of an N-95 style mask.

    Farr is also accused of committing armed robberies on these dates and locations:

    • Dec. 6 at Ray’s Xenia Avenue Market on Xenia Avenue in Dayton
    • Dec. 7 at Free Pike Drive-Thru on Free Pike in Dayton
    • Dec. 8 at Sunoco gas station on Selma Road in Springfield
    • Dec. 10 at Mini Mart on N. Main Street in Dayton
    • Dec. 11 at Marathon gas station on E. Fifth Street in Dayton
    • Dec. 15 at Sammy’s Drive-thru store on Woodman Drive in Riverside

    During the investigation, law enforcement was able to identify a vehicle of interest using the Flock Safety Camera System and identified a 2011 red Ford Taurus linked to armed robbery locations.

    When Dayton police officers initiated a traffic stop of the red Taurus on Dec. 16, Farr was allegedly in the front passenger seat wearing the outfit described in the armed robberies, had an N-95 style mask on the floorboard and gray two-tone gloves in his pocket. Farr also allegedly had a 9mm pistol in his waistband.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott, Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal, and Riverside Police Chief Frank Robinson announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.

    A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

    Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477). Individuals may also email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its website at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to ATF using the ReportIt® app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Roseville Man Sentenced To 70 Months In Prison For Being A Felon In Possession Of Ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Arnes Krajinic, 33, of Roseville, was sentenced Thursday by United States District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to 5 years and 10 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition, United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Krajinic in January 2023 because he was advertising fentanyl and firearms for sale via Instagram. On January 17, 2023, law enforcement arrested Krajinic and found him in possession of approximately 95 grams of fentanyl powder, miscellaneous prescription pills, over $7,000 in cash, a digital scale, and a privately manufactured 9mm firearm that did not have a serial number and was loaded with ammunition. Krajinic was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including for robbery, possession of controlled substances while armed, possession of a concealed weapon in a vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of controlled substances for sale.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, the ATF, and the Placer County Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from the Roseville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Emily G. Sauvageau prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Plea from Albuquerque Man for Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to federal charges of production of child sexual abuse materials, admitting to creating illicit content and using social media to lure minors for sexual exploitation.

    According to court documents, Kevin Vallo, 40, used the social media messaging app Telegram to communicate with a 13-year-old victim. Vallo created multiple profiles on Telegram under different names and personas, misrepresenting his age as 16 when he was actually 39 years old.

    Vallo admitted to engaging in sexually explicit chats with the victim and repeatedly inviting her to his residence. On or about February 19, 2024, Vallo persuaded the victim and two other minors to come to his home in Albuquerque for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.

    Vallo further admitted to recording four separate videos of himself engaging in sexual activity with the victim using his cellular phone, which he then sent to the victim. These videos constitute child pornography under federal law.

    Vallo will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. At sentencing, Vallo faces 15 to 25 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Vallo will be subject to a minimum of 5 years and up to life of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

    If you have reason to believe you or your child may be a victim of Vallo, or if you have information about this ongoing investigation, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or submit their tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Miami-Dade Correctional Officer Indicted for Service in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – On Dec. 18, Vernell Syrethia Lawson, 33, a former Miami-Dade Correctional Officer, and Gabrielle Nicole Bess-Mills, 35, made their initial appearance in court on a previously sealed indictment containing charges related to a continuing criminal enterprise led by co-defendant Terrance Carter, 31.

    According to the indictment, Carter led a drug trafficking organization which relied on the corruption of Lawson and other Miami-Dade Correctional Officers, along with drug trafficking associates, to introduce narcotics and other contraband for sale into Miami-Dade County jail facilities.

    Lawson and Bess-Mills are charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, participating in a conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute, and racketeering promotion through bribery and drug trafficking. Lawson is also charged with Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right conspiracy. The indictment also charges Carter with operating the continuing criminal enterprise and use of interstate facilities to commit violence in furtherance of racketeering.

    The defendants are residents of Miami-Dade County.

    U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Stephanie Daniels, Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), Sherea Green, Director of the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department, Special Agent in Charge Jefferey B. Veltri of the FBI Miami Division,  Deanne L. Reuter, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Dr. Judith Bernier, Chair of the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by a Task Force formed by the Miami-Dade Police and Corrections Departments, with the support of federal, state, and local partners, to combat drug trafficking organizations operating in the Miami-Dade correctional facilities with the assistance of corrupt public officials. The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Corrections provided significant assistance.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ignacio J. Vázquez, Jr. and Trial Attorney Melanie G. Wegner are prosecuting this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling asset forfeiture.

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

    An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Individuals with information about corruption should contact the FBI Miami Area’s Task Force at https://tips.fbi.gov/. Anyone with information related to possible ethics violations is asked to contact the Miami-Dade County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust at 786-314-9560 or ethics@miamidade.gov.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-20543.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attempted Robber Who Shot Elderly Man on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation Sentenced To More Than 13 Years In Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DURANGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Lovell Cassius Benallie, age 27, of Kirtland, New Mexico, was sentenced to a total of 166 months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. The prison sentence will be followed by three years of supervised release.

    According to the plea agreement and information presented at sentencing, on August 24, 2023, Benallie and an associate traveled from New Mexico to the Ute Mountain Ute Casino. After gambling, Benallie went to the nearby Ute Mountain Ute Travel Center and approached an elderly Navajo man preparing to use the laundry facility. In an interaction that lasted about eighteen seconds, Benallie said, “give me all your money” and pointed a 9mm gun at the man. When the man replied, “what money” Benallie aimed and fired the gun at the man’s leg. Benallie fled the scene. The victim was airlifted to Grand Junction for medical treatment and suffered serious and enduring injuries.    

    Benallie had several prior felony convictions, including a conviction for aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon in Farmington, New Mexico.

    “The defendant acted callously and purposelessly,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “Gun violence will not be tolerated on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation and our office reaffirms our intention to vigorously violent crimes on our reservations.”

    “This defendant coldly and callously shot a total stranger during an attempted robbery. Any such act of violence on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation gets the full attention of FBI Denver,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “In this case we were assisted by the Farmington, New Mexico, Police Department. We will continue to support the Bureau of Indian Affairs and those who live on the reservation by investigating criminal acts and removing the perpetrators from the community.”

    United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher sentenced the defendant on December 16, 2024.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Durango conducted the investigation in conjunction with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey K. Graves handled the prosecution.

    Case Number: 1:23-cr-00383-GPG-JMC-1

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 2024 This Year at Justice

    Source: United States Department of Justice (video statements)

    The mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights; in 2024, the Department released nearly 1,600 press releases with this mission in mind.
    • Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Meets with Law Enforcement Components to Address Violent Crime – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VQ7-Pl3X4I
    • DOJ Releases Report on Critical Incident Review of Response to the Mass Shooting at Robb Elementary – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iep7DhNHZPM
    • U.S. and U.K. Disrupt LockBit Ransomware Variant – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jKykhKKMZw
    • DAG Lisa Monaco Delivers Keynote Address at the ABA’s 39th Annual White Collar Institute – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjyIcmqbXRE
    • DOJ Officials Deliver Remarks at Second Annual Community Violence Prevention and Intervention Grantee Conference – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfziUdERcH8
    • Justice Department Sues Live Nation-Ticketmaster for Monopolizing Markets Across the Live Concert Industry – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYUHvtwI2f0
    • Justice Department Hosts Program Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACPvoAXnq9Y
    • DOJ Sues RealPage for Algorithmic Pricing Scheme that Harms Millions of American Renters – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z4ToglRsIU
    • USAO-Eastern District of Arkansas Announces Investigation Into Largest Pharmacy Ring in DEA History – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWAmzZNDluQ
    • Justice Department Hosts Election Threats Task Force Meeting – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEzCpoKFmAM
    • DOJ Secures Agreement to Reform Louisville Metro’s & LMPD’s Unconstitutional & Unlawful Practices – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMNsbEFhCdQ

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b82BlJ4qtDM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexico Extradites 1996 Murder Suspect to the United States After Partnering with U.S. Marshals to Locate and Arrest Him

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Del Rio, TX – The U.S. Marshals Service, in coordination with other law enforcement partners, today arrested a murder suspect who had evaded authorities for nearly 30 years.

    The fugitive, Jose Rafael Marceleno, 53, was initially indicted for murder in Ector County on April 23, 1996, following an Odessa Police Department investigation into the murder of his wife, Guadalupe “Petey” Paredes, 32. Marceleno allegedly stabbed his wife multiple times with a lock blade knife and fled the scene.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Ector District Attorney’s Office and law enforcement officials to prepare a request for Marceleno’s extradition, which was presented to Mexico on May 13, 2022. Thanks to information developed by foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies, Marceleno was arrested in July 2023 in Juarez, Mexico.

    After Marceleno was extradited from Mexico on December 16, 2024, he was taken into custody in Del Rio. The U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, in coordination with the Odessa Police Department, Ector County Sheriff’s Office, Ector County District Attorney’s Office, and Odessa Crime Stoppers, worked closely to bring the fugitive to justice.

    Participating officers worked vigorously and diligently to locate and apprehend Marceleno. The Ector County District Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution. 

    “The Marshals and our law enforcement partners are committed to locating and apprehending the most dangerous individuals, even in other countries,” said U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas Susan Pamerleau. “Through coordinated efforts, we will continue to make our communities a little safer, one fugitive at a time.”

    Agencies involved in the extradition included:

    • USMS Western District of Texas – Lone Star Fugitive Task Force
    • Odessa Police Department
    • Ector County Sheriff’s Office
    • Ector County District Attorney’s Office
    • Odessa Crime Stoppers

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — RCMP NL encourages participation in Policing Services Survey

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Would you like to have a say on policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador? Here’s your opportunity! RCMP NL encourages residents to complete the Policing Services Survey, issued by the Policing Transformation Working Group (PTWG). The survey, which is open until January 17, 2025, is available here.

    In late 2023, the Minister of Justice and Public Safety announced the establishment of the Policing Transformation Working Group (PTWG). The role of the PTWG is to provide ongoing advice to ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians receive the most effective and efficient policing services possible. As part of public engagement efforts, the PTWG has created this survey which will help shape the future of policing services in our province.

    Further information on the Policing Transformation Working Group can be found here:

    https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2023/jps/1120n04/

    MIL Security OSI –