NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch on Trump’s January 6th Pardons: “Their actions should be condemned by each of us and by our President. Those actions should not be condoned with pardons.” 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) yesterday delivered remarks from theSenate Floor about President Donald Trump’s pardons of insurrectionists, who onJanuary 6th 2021 used violence in an attempt to stop the peacefultransfer of power. President Trump issued pardons for nearly 1,600 January 6th defendantsand commuted the sentences of 14 dangerous criminals in his first week oftaking office. 
    Watch Senator Welch’s remarks here: 

    Key quotes from Senator Welch’s speech: 
    “In the United States we believe in the peaceful transfer of power. In the United States we believe that the people—not elected politicians—decide who is their president.  
    “And both of those principles have served our democracy very well—through thick and thin, through strife and turmoil—for the past 248 years.  
    “Both of those principles were challenged on January 6th, 2021. A mob that was incited by then-President Trump attacked the Capitol for the explicit purpose of using violence to overturn the peaceful transfer of power. They were trying to intimidate elected politicians to substitute their judgment, their preferred candidate for president, instead of acknowledging the will of the people that they represented.  
    “But our democracy endured—that is the very good news. And, in testament to that, we just witnessed a renewal of America’s commitment to the peaceful transfer of power with the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th President.  
    “However, I must speak today, sadly, about one of the first actions of President Trump. And that, of course, is pardoning 1,600 people and commuting sentences of 14 very dangerous criminals who were involved in that violent attack on January 6th. Speaking for myself, I condemn that action by President Trump.” 
    ■■■ 
    “I was there that day—many of us were. I was in the Gallery of the House of Representatives. It’s a day I won’t forget but America will never forget. It’s had a deep impact on our country, the citizens, the folks who work here, and that honorable tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.  
    “I was very amazed and proud to see officers, men and women, who withstood this assault. More than 150 officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department were injured that day. Five officers died in the aftermath.   
    “There was severe damage to this Senate Chamber, the House Chamber, the office buildings, the Capitol Rotunda—where we just had another inauguration only a few days ago. Blood, feces, glass, and other debris from the mob’s attack was everywhere—at a cost of close to $3 million.”  
    ■■■ 
    “How is it that one of the first acts of our president, who wants to be “unifier,” was to pardon people who acted with such violence, such anger, and such contempt?  
    “President Trump has tried to erase this attack and re-write the history of what happened on January 6th. He has called the insurrectionists, including those who fought with the police, ‘patriots’ and ‘hostages’. They were neither.” 
    ■■■ 
    “These pardons are disrespectful. They’re also dangerous. They’re disrespectful to the men and women who served, who suffered the violence, and are living with the consequences. And they’re dangerous to the law enforcement who serve us every day. The pardons validate the violence of the mob and dishonor the service of those who protect us.  
    “Unconscionable and appalling actions of January 6th should be repudiated by every Member of Congress. Whatever differences we have, it is vital that those differences be resolved at the ballot box and that the will of the people be respected.  
    “No citizen, however passionate they may be about their political beliefs, no matter how disappointed they may be at the outcome of an election, is justified in attacking the men and women of the Capitol Police. Their actions should be condemned by each of us and by our President. Those actions should not be condoned with pardons.” 
    ■■■ 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Large-scale stress test held at Kai Tak Sports Park (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducted a large-scale stress test at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) tonight (January 24) to test the operation and capability of the three venues and the supporting facilities in the vicinity during events with maximum attendance, with a view to ensuring the smooth operation of the KTSP upon its official commissioning in the first quarter of this year.

         Co-ordinated by the Exercise Team of the HKPF, the stress test covered five specific testing and evaluation areas, namely security screening and ticket checks; venue signage and designated seating arrangements; inter-agency co-ordination in response to emergencies; various crowd management measures; and passenger flow management by public transport operators.
     
         Over 60 000 participants simulated crowd flow during the test. A number of bureaux, departments and organisations, namely the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the MTR Corporation Limited and the KTSP Limited, also participated in the stress test.
     
         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, inspected the stress test. He said that, thanks to the close collaboration of all parties, the exercise was conducted in a smooth manner. The anticipated effects and test objectives were achieved with satisfactory results.
     
         He added that during the stress test, the arrangements for participants entering and leaving the venue, as well as public transportation, became more refined and orderly. All units were able to respond promptly to deal with simulated emergencies.
     
         Mr Chan expressed gratitude to various government departments, the KTSP Limited and public transport operators for their preparation and co-ordination work. He also thanked the personnel involved in the test, including civil servants from 77 bureaux and departments, community members, and residents of the Kai Tak area, for their full support and co-operation.
     
         He said he believes that the KTSP will become a new landmark in Hong Kong, welcoming audiences from all over the world to enjoy exciting events and activities together with Hong Kong citizens.
     
         In future test events and stress tests co-ordinated by the Exercise Team, the “Red Team” concept will continue to be applied to identify vulnerable areas, working in concert with relevant bureaux, departments and organisations to continuously review and enhance various aspects, with a view to ensuring full preparedness for the official commissioning of the KTSP.
                          

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by CS at media session after stress test at Kai Tak Sports Park

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Exercise Director of Inter-departmental Task Group on Test and Drills and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming, met the media after the stress test at the Kai Tak Sports Park this evening (January 24). Following are the remarks of the media session:
     
    Reporter: Can you confirm that the Kai Tak Sports Park will open officially on March 1? What can we expect to see at the opening ceremony? This is the first time such a large crowd disperse at the same time and we observed that sometimes the paths were quite packed. Are there any concerns about the potential bottleneck or crowd crush and how can we prevent that? Thank you.
     
    Chief Secretary for Administration: We will have many stress tests in the future, as I just told you that we have two large scale stress tests in the future. So up to now, depending on the results of the tests, I think we cannot confirm the official opening day of the Kai Tak Sports Park. But once when everything is ready, we will make an announcement as soon as possible. Today, the dispersal is very smooth, I would say, and I really don’t see any bottleneck actually, because the situation, I would say, is far better than my expectation.
     
    (Please also refer to the Chinese version of the remarks.)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched following stabbing in Putney

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 75-year-old man in Putney.

    On Friday, 24 January at 03:36hrs police were called to an address in Deodar Road, SW15 following reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated a man for stab injuries.

    Sadly, despite the emergency services best efforts, he was pronounced dead on scene.

    His next of kin have been made aware although we currently await formal identification. They are currently being supported by specialist officers.

    A special post-mortem examination is due to take place today.

    A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, he remains in police custody. It is believed he was known to the victim.

    Detective Superintendent Amanda Mawhinney from the South West Command Unit which covers Putney said: “We are currently supporting the family of a man who was sadly killed in the early hours of this morning.

    “I am aware that people in the community may feel shocked following this – we believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public.

    “Although we have made significant progress by making an arrest, I would like to make it clear that our investigation does not stop here. We need the local community to help us understand what happened in the early hours of this morning.

    “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at around 3am and that saw or heard anything unusual to contact us as soon as possible.

    “You may notice a higher police presence within the area today whilst we carry out our enquiries. A scene is in place as well as road closures. If you feel the need to raise anything with our officers, then please feel free to speak with them whilst they are in the area.”

    Enquiries remain ongoing.

    Anyone with information which could assist with the investigation is asked to call 101 stating CAD721/24JAN. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by submitting an online form.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Response to Storm Éowyn

    Source: Scottish Government

    Severe weather and disruption expected to continue. 

    First Minister John Swinney has asked people to continue to follow Police Scotland advice not to travel during the red weather warning and to be mindful that dangerous conditions will persist for the rest of the evening while the amber warning remains in place. 

    It follows a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR), which is co-ordinating the response to the damage and disruption caused by Storm Éowyn in Scotland. 

    SGoRR was updated on the current impacts, including: 

    • Currently around 100,000 households without power 
    • Severe transport disruption with rail, bus, flight, ferry and tram cancellations as well as road closures across the network 
    • 92% of the school estate in Scotland is closed 
    • Cancellation of non-urgent medical appointments 

    The First Minister said utility companies are working at pace to restore power as quickly as possible, however as conditions remain too dangerous for recovery teams to operate fully, welfare provisions are in place to support the most vulnerable. Members of the public are also being urged to plan ahead and continue to follow safety advice in the coming days, including checking for the latest road conditions, Scotrail services and public transport advice which are all expected to experience continued disruption.   

    First Minister John Swinney said: 

    “Storm Éowyn is an exceptional weather event and is causing significant impacts across Scotland, with multiple reports of fallen trees and blown over vehicles. What the Met Office predicted has come our way, with gusts of 100mph winds reported. 

    “I want to thank members of the public for largely following Police Scotland’s advice not to travel. However, this storm is not over yet. Even once the red weather warning expires, severe weather warnings for wind, snow and ice remain in place across much of the country tonight and into tomorrow morning. 

    “A high level of vigilance is still required. There are still too many lorries on the road and I urge all HGVs to follow Police Scotland advice not to travel during the red weather warning. 

    “We are also seeing reports of multiple power outages across Scotland and expect these to continue over the course of the day. It will take time to recover power and transport services across the country, as conditions still remain too dangerous for recovery teams to operate.  

    “Utilities companies are focused on supporting their most vulnerable customers and I’d encourage everyone to please look out for each other and take extra care during this time.” 

    Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland, who is leading the multi-agency response to Storm Eowyn, said:

    “We have seen significant disruption across the country, particularly in the areas affected by the red weather warning. First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who have been injured and those impacted by the weather.

    “The high winds are forecast to continue, with Amber warnings in place into this evening and tomorrow morning.

    “It is concerning that there has been a large number of HGVs on the road. We have responded to 11 incidents so far where HGVs have overturned due to high winds and I want to reiterate the advice that you should not travel in or to areas under the red weather warning. Additionally, I would urge the public to avoid travelling in areas affected by the Amber warning and consider delaying your travel until conditions improve. We don’t ask you to do this lightly and we make this ask with public safety at the forefront of decision-making.

    “Roads are likely to be affected by debris for some time to come and motorists should drive with caution when it is safe to return to the roads.”

    Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Head of Operations Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Garry Mackay said:

    “Our Operations Control rooms are experiencing an extremely high number of 999 calls at the moment. Please only dial 999 and ask for us where there is an immediate risk of harm.

    “For fallen trees or obstacles that do not pose an immediate risk to the public or property, we are asking the public to please contact your local authority.”

    Background  

    SGoRR was attended by the Deputy First Minister, and Cabinet Secretaries for Health; Education; Transport; Justice; Rural Affairs and Islands; and Net Zero and Energy. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners. 

    The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.  

    Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website.   

    Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.   

    Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online. 

    To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website. 

    During a power cut firefighters can be called to fires started by candles or portable heaters. For advice on how to stay safe during a power cut visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Website.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Issues Notification of Investigative Findings Regarding Investigation into the Death of Bashe McDaniel

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) is today issuing a Notification of Investigative Findings regarding the investigation into the death of Bashe McDaniel, who died on December 29, 2023 after an encounter with members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police in Queens. Upon completion of the investigation into Mr. McDaniel’s death, OSI has concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ use of deadly physical force was justified under the law. A final Investigation Report will follow.

    About the Incident
    On December 29, 2023 at 10:20 p.m. two MTA officers shot and killed Mr. McDaniel in front of 91-04 Sutphin Boulevard in Queens after Mr. McDaniel fired a round from a gun he had in his waistband area while the officers were attempting to handcuff him. A firearm was recovered from Mr. McDaniel and recovered ballistics evidence showed that Mr. McDaniel fired at least one shot.

    The two MTA officers were searching for an individual on Sutphin Boulevard in Queens following a report of an alleged sexual assault. The officers spotted Mr. McDaniel, who appeared to match a photograph they had of him, and attempted to arrest him. Mr. McDaniel resisted being handcuffed, and he and the officers fell to the ground, where, during the struggle, Mr. McDaniel’s firearm discharged and struck him in the abdomen. The officers discharged their service weapons in response, striking Mr. McDaniel.

    Incident Video and Evidence Photos
    The incident was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras.

    Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

    In cases where the evidence and legal analysis are clear and the investigation is complete, OSI may issue a Notification of Investigative Findings announcing the conclusion of the investigation. In such cases, OSI will issue the final Investigation Report, as required by law, at a later date.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Convicted in $20M Insurance Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A federal jury convicted a Maryland man yesterday for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, money laundering, filing false tax returns and identity theft.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, James Wilson, of Owings Mills, conspired with others to defraud insurance companies by obtaining over 30 life insurance policies for applicants by mispresenting their health, wealth and existing life insurance coverage. The total death benefits from these policies exceeded $20 million.

    Wilson also conspired to defraud individual investors to obtain funds that he then used to pay premiums on fraudulently-obtained life insurance policies. To conceal the fraud, Wilson transferred the fraud through multiple bank accounts, including accounts in the name of trusts. Wilson filed false individual income tax returns for 2018 and 2019, which concealed approximately $5.7 million and $2 million respectively of fraud proceeds.

    Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering; and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return. Wilson also faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)’s Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

    IRS-CI investigated the case, with assistance from the Maryland Insurance Administration and Maryland Attorney General.

    Trial Attorneys Shawn Noud and Richard Kelley of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Phelps and Philip Motsay for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Maryland Man Convicted in $20M Insurance Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A federal jury convicted a Maryland man yesterday for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, money laundering, filing false tax returns and identity theft.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, James Wilson, of Owings Mills, conspired with others to defraud insurance companies by obtaining over 30 life insurance policies for applicants by mispresenting their health, wealth and existing life insurance coverage. The total death benefits from these policies exceeded $20 million.

    Wilson also conspired to defraud individual investors to obtain funds that he then used to pay premiums on fraudulently-obtained life insurance policies. To conceal the fraud, Wilson transferred the fraud through multiple bank accounts, including accounts in the name of trusts. Wilson filed false individual income tax returns for 2018 and 2019, which concealed approximately $5.7 million and $2 million respectively of fraud proceeds.

    Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering; and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return. Wilson also faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)’s Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

    IRS-CI investigated the case, with assistance from the Maryland Insurance Administration and Maryland Attorney General.

    Trial Attorneys Shawn Noud and Richard Kelley of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Phelps and Philip Motsay for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former CEO of Startup Software Company Sentenced for Payroll Tax Fraud Crimes

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A New Hampshire man was sentenced yesterday to two-and-a-half years in prison for willfully failing to pay more than $14 million in payroll taxes and not filing personal tax returns.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Andrew Park, 49, of Bedford, was the co-founder and CEO of a startup technology company. Park was responsible for all financial matters related to the company, including for filing the company’s quarterly employment tax returns and collecting and paying over Social Security, Medicare and income taxes withheld from the employees’ wages to the IRS, as well as the matching Social Security and Medicare taxes the company owed.

    From the company’s founding in 2014 through the third quarter of 2021, Park withheld federal taxes from the wages of the company’s employees but did not pay them over as required by law. He also did not pay over the portion of the employment taxes that the company owed. Park willfully failed to do so even though a payroll service company that he hired to process the employees’ payroll regularly notified him that the taxes were due, and in more than one instance was notified by an employee that the amount paid to Social Security listed on her W-2 did not match what was reported by the Social Security Administration.

    From 2013 through 2020, Park also did not file individual tax returns as required by law, despite the fact that he paid himself a salary of approximately $250,000 each year.

    In total, Park caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $14 million.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty for the District of New Hampshire ordered Park to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $639,821.78 in restitution to the United States and a fine of $15,000.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney John J. McCormack for the District of New Hampshire made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Eric Powers of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter for the District of New Hampshire prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Roanoke Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Role in Gun Store Heist

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROANOKE, Va. – A third man involved in a scheme to break into a Virginia pawnshop and steal firearms was sentenced recently to 10 years in federal prison.

    Ronald Perry, 42, of Radford, Virginia, previously pled guilty to giving a firearm to a felon.

    Several men, including defendants Perry, Malcolm Stanton, and Michael Hall were charged with being involved in a burglary at a local pawn shop. Justin Cumbee and Austin Hixon were charged with being prohibited persons in possession of firearms.

    Cumbee and Stanton were each sentenced to 10 years.

    According to court documents, on November 1, 2022, Perry broke into the 1st Pawn, and stole approximately 15 firearms which he divided up with Stanton & Hall. Several of those guns were later illegally sold or traded for drugs.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Radford Police Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Christiansburg Police Department, the Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly McGann and Lee Brett are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CEO of Startup Software Company Sentenced for Payroll Tax Fraud Crimes

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A New Hampshire man was sentenced yesterday to two-and-a-half years in prison for willfully failing to pay more than $14 million in payroll taxes and not filing personal tax returns.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Andrew Park, 49, of Bedford, was the co-founder and CEO of a startup technology company. Park was responsible for all financial matters related to the company, including for filing the company’s quarterly employment tax returns and collecting and paying over Social Security, Medicare and income taxes withheld from the employees’ wages to the IRS, as well as the matching Social Security and Medicare taxes the company owed.

    From the company’s founding in 2014 through the third quarter of 2021, Park withheld federal taxes from the wages of the company’s employees but did not pay them over as required by law. He also did not pay over the portion of the employment taxes that the company owed. Park willfully failed to do so even though a payroll service company that he hired to process the employees’ payroll regularly notified him that the taxes were due, and in more than one instance was notified by an employee that the amount paid to Social Security listed on her W-2 did not match what was reported by the Social Security Administration.

    From 2013 through 2020, Park also did not file individual tax returns as required by law, despite the fact that he paid himself a salary of approximately $250,000 each year.

    In total, Park caused a tax loss to the IRS exceeding $14 million.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty for the District of New Hampshire ordered Park to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $639,821.78 in restitution to the United States and a fine of $15,000.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney John J. McCormack for the District of New Hampshire made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Eric Powers of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter for the District of New Hampshire prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Introduces Bill to Ensure Dignified Burial for Aborted Fetal Remains

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    January 24, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led eleven colleagues in introducing the Dignity for Aborted Children Act. The bill would require abortionists to dispose of the remains of unborn children with the same dignity and respect as any other human being who dies.

    “A few years ago, the remains of over 2,200 aborted babies were discovered in an abortionist’s home,” said Senator Ricketts. “It’s horrifying that human remains would be treated like common medical waste. My bill will ensure that the remains of aborted children are given the dignity and respect they deserve.”

    Ricketts’ bill is co-sponsored by Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

    The bill was first covered by the Daily Signal here. Bill text can be found here.

    Ricketts has long championed the right to life. When he was Governor, he signed into law bills to ban dismemberment abortion and bolster Nebraska’s informed consent protections for moms. He provided pregnant mothers priority parking spots and nursing mothers’ rooms at state buildings. He also allowed state teammates to donate unused vacation leave to support expecting mothers.

    BACKGROUND

    The Dignity for Aborted Children Act sets out requirements for the disposition of human fetal tissue from an abortion.

    Specifically, the bill:

    • Requires abortionists to dispose of the remains of unborn children just as any other human being.
    • Requires abortionists to obtain a patient’s informed consent for retaining possession of the remains or for allowing the abortionist to transfer the remains to an entity that provides interment or cremation services.

    Abortionists must ensure any tissue released to them is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortionists must report annually about these requirements and other specified information. The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements.

    Ricketts’ bill is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Concerned Women for America, and Students for Life Action.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Plymouth Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to a Decade Long Cyberstalking Campaign Against Multiple Victims and Possession of Child Pornography

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

    Defendant allegedly posted digitally altered images of victim to social media accounts and programmed artificial intelligence-driven chatbots to mimic human conversation with other unknown users of social media platforms

    BOSTON – A Plymouth, Mass. man has agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to cyberstalking numerous Massachusetts victims through social media, email and various online platforms. The defendant allegedly programmed multiple artificial intelligence-driven chatbots to mimic human conversation through text or voice interactions with unknown users of social media platforms and used generative artificial-intelligence tools to create pornographic images of the victims in order to post them online to websites that focus on shaming and degrading women.

    James Florence Jr., 36, has agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of cyberstalking and one count of possession of child pornography. Florence was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2024. According to the charging documents, on or about January of 2014 through September of 2024, Florence engaged in an extensive cyberstalking campaign targeting victims and those associated with them. Florence used a variety of techniques and methods to allegedly harass and intimidate his victims and others in the community, including making fake nude images of the victims, doxing or exposing victims’ personal information, creating vulgar fake accounts in the victims’ names and accessing online accounts without authorization (i.e. “hacking”) the victims’ accounts.

    Florence’s cyberstalking campaigns allegedly included obtaining, -and then widely distributing, private information about the victims, such as private photographs or photographs shared amongst friends on social media. These photographs were frequently doctored to appear sexual or pornographic in nature. According to court documents Florence also allegedly accessed online accounts without authorization; created accounts in the name of his victims; and solicitated fantasy sexual encounters on their behalf. In the case of one victim, those fabricated sexual encounters allegedly included building a profile of the victim on an interactive platform with information about the victim’s apparent underwear preference, information that the victim was sexually adventurous, used sex toys and had a sex swing in her home. Florence allegedly listed the victims home address; posed as his victims by creating impersonation accounts in their names and then posted  or sent various harmful content from those accounts; encouraged others to extort, shame, defame and intimidate victims for pornographic material; and stole victims’ underwear and used photos of the underwear to both harass those victims or engage with others on the internet to further  mutual sexual fantasies.

    In addition to having received threatening messages from social media and email accounts believed to be controlled by Florence, the victims also allegedly received harassing and extorting communications that are believed to be from users who messaged the victims as a result of Florence’s posts encouraging them to do so. Florence allegedly created and posted photo collages of one of the victims to a website, including images edited to make her appear nude or semi-nude along with all her personal identifying information and captions that encouraged viewers to “Post & Share Her Everywhere. Make The Whore Famous.”

    The charge of stalking by electronic means provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Fire Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anderson Felon Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm Following Drunk Driving Crash

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— Jonathon Jerald Ashley Jr., 30, of Anderson, Indiana, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    According to court documents, on October 22, 2023, an Anderson Police Department officer was called to a vehicle crash in the vicinity of 20th and Noble Streets. The officer arrived to find a heavily intoxicated Jonathon Ashley walking away from the accident.

    During a search of Ashley’s person, officers located a loaded Glock handgun in his front right pocket. At the time of arrest, Ashley had been previously convicted of domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, invasion of privacy, dealing in a narcotic drug, and pointing a firearm. His felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm again.

    “This defendant has repeatedly demonstrated his utter disregard for the law or the safety of others, including those closest to him,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Many illegally armed perpetrators of gun violence in the home and in the community have a prior history of domestic violence. That’s why our office is working together with the FBI, through the LEATH initiative, to protect the public from these offenders and save lives.”

    “This dangerous combination of impaired driving and illegal possession of a firearm had the potential to lead to devastating consequences and this sentence underscores the seriousness of the defendant’s actions,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who show such reckless disregard for the law and the safety of others will be held accountable.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Anderson Police Department and investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this case.

    This case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call.  A partnership among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney and HSI Announce Federal Sex Crimes Involving a Minor Against U.S. Army Soldier

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A U.S. Army soldier has been charged with multiple federal sex crimes involving a minor, including interstate travel for sexual conduct and production of child sexual abuse material, following an investigation by federal authorities.

    The indictment alleges that between November 2022, and May 2024, Victor Barnett Lane allegedly coerced a minor into sexual activity, traveled from South Korea to New Mexico for purposes of sexual activity, and produced child sexual abuse imagery.

    Lane has been ordered to remain in custody pending trial. If convicted, Lane faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division and Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal 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.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hudson County Man Charged With Defrauding Elderly Victim Out Of More Than $880,000

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, NJ. – A New Jersey man was arrested today and charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud an elderly victim investor out of out of more than $880,000, after entrusting  him to invest her money on her behalf, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced today.

    Antonio Petrosino, a/k/a Anthony Petrosino, 59, of Union City, New Jersey, is charged by complaint with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. He is scheduled to have his initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.

    According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

    Between March 2018 and March 2024, Petrosino fraudulently induced the victim investor to transfer approximately $916,000 to Petrosino based on his misrepresentations that he would invest those funds in brokerage accounts and other investment products for the benefit of the victim investor.  To perpetuate his fraud, Petrosino provided the victim investor with falsified investment statements that purported to show that she had hundreds of thousands of dollars deposited in various investment accounts in her name.  Petrosino also provided the victim investor with payments in the approximate range of $4000-$8000 that he claimed was the interest that the victim investor had earned on her investments.

    In reality, Petrosino failed to invest the victim investor’s funds for her benefit as promised.  Instead, he misappropriated the money to pay for his personal expenses, including gambling, credit card payments, and rent on his luxury apartment unit.  Petrosino also caused the transfer of the victim investor’s funds without her knowledge or consent, including transfers directly from the victim investor’s bank account to Petrosino’s landlord. Additionally, Petrosino told the victim investor he would assist her with preparing her tax returns and told her to send him approximately $40,000 that he claimed she owed in taxes, which he misappropriated for his personal benefit.  In total, Petrosino stole more than approximately $888,000 from the victim investor.

    The wire fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  The money laundering charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  Both counts carry a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross amount of gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kozar of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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

                                                                    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six people charged with the murder of a man in Haringey

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A further two men have been charged with the murder of a man in Haringey, following an investigation by homicide detectives. This takes the total charged to six people.

    Gregory Castillo Volquez, aged 36, was stabbed at an address on Tiverton Road, Haringey on Monday, 13 January.

    Gabriel Francisco Pineda Gonzalez, aged 20 (17.04.2004) of High Trees, SW2 appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 17 January.

    Benito Ramirez Kones, aged 19 (27.06.2005) of Fermain Court East, N1 appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 23 January. Both were charged with murder.

    The above comes after three men and a woman were charged on Wednesday, 15 January.

    • Carlos Alfredo Ramirez Tavarez, aged 27 (24.08.1996) of Tiverton Road, N15
    • Edison Dario Canario Perez, aged 22 (6.6.2001) of Tiverton Road, N15
    • Joan Perea, aged 20 (07.10.2004) of Tiverton Road, N15
    • Naiara Lizeth Hernandez-Bonilla, aged 20 (2.6.2004) of Birnam Road, N4

    They have been remanded in custody. A trial is due to begin on Monday, 20 October at the Old Bailey.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Corporation and Former Chief Executive Officer Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Tax Conspiracy

    Source: United States Attorneys General 9

    The Justice Department announced today that KBWB Operations LLC, which did business as Atrium Health and Senior Living (KBWB-Atrium), and former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Member Kevin Breslin of KBWB-Atrium, both pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of tax conspiracy related to the operation of numerous skilled nursing facilities.

    “Americans rely on skilled nursing facilities to care for themselves, family members and other loved ones, and the operators of these institutions must live up to their obligations and the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners to help ensure the safety and dignity of our must vulnerable citizens.”

    Breslin, 58, of Hoboken, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on Dec. 17, 2024. KBWB-Atrium pleaded guilty in the same court on Jan. 21. Breslin is one of six owners of KBWB-Atrium. KBWB-Atrium’s corporate headquarters was located in Little Falls, New Jersey, and its Midwest corporate office was located in Appleton, Wisconsin. KBWB-Atrium operated and owned nursing facilities in New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

    On Feb. 1, 2023, a Wisconsin grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against defendants Breslin and KBWB-Atrium (collectively the defendants) charging health care fraud and tax conspiracy, among other charges. According to court documents, from approximately Jan. 1, 2015, to in or about September 2018, KBWB-Atrium operated and owned 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, and Breslin was responsible for overseeing all of KBWB-Atrium’s operations. The primary source of income for the KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities was federal Medicare and Medicaid funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

    According to court documents, the defendants’ alleged health care fraud scheme involved unlawfully diverting CMS funds intended for the operation, management, maintenance, and care of the residents of the KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities for other purposes and personal expenses. The defendants allegedly prioritized distributions and guaranteed payments to KBWB-Atrium’s owners regardless of KBWB-Atrium’s financial situation. The defendants’ alleged actions resulted in failing to meet the required federal regulations governing skilled nursing facilities, including not operating the KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities in a manner that would enhance residents’ quality of life. According to court documents, the defendants also knew that vendors were not being paid for extended periods of time or some were not paid at all for their services. Additionally, defendants allegedly failed to pay third-party administrators monies deducted from KBWB-Atrium employees’ paychecks for insurance premiums and 401(k) plan contributions.

    As a part of the tax conspiracy alleged in court documents, Breslin, acting on behalf of KBWB-Atrium, directed that income taxes and employment taxes withheld from KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin employees’ paychecks not be paid over to the IRS. This caused employees to prepare tax returns listing those withholdings as having been paid to the IRS, which was false.

    The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on May 7 before U.S. District Judge William M. Conleyfor the Western District of Wisconsin. Breslin faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison for the health care fraud count and five years in prison for the conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States count, along with a period of supervised release. Both defendants face restitution and other monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence of each defendant after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.       

    “Healthcare fraud affects every American,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “My office was proud to partner with the Justice Department’s Civil Division to help prosecute these individuals who harmed seniors and exploited our health care benefits programs for personal gain.”

    “This guilty plea demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding individuals accountable who exploit vulnerable populations and defraud the healthcare system for personal gain,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Breslin’s actions not only eroded public trust but endangered the well-being of patients who rely on our health care system. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to investigate and bring to justice those who abuse positions of trust.”

    “The guilty pleas of Kevin Breslin and KBWB Operations LLC serve as a reminder that healthcare fraud is not only a direct violation of patient care, but also an attack on the financial systems that underpin public and private trust,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chicago Field Office. “IRS-CI and its law enforcement partners remain dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals and businesses who seek to exploit public and private institutions for personal gain.”

    “HHS-OIG is dedicated to protecting Medicare and Medicaid funds and ensuring that health care providers uphold their responsibility to serve vulnerable populations with integrity,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The actions of those involved in this scheme erode the trust placed in our nation’s health care system, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who misuse public funds for personal gain.”

    “Employers placing profit over upholding their legal fiduciary responsibilities when managing health benefit plans will not be tolerated,” said Regional Director Ruben R. Chapa of the Employee Benefits Security Administration in Chicago. “The Employee Benefits Security Administration remains committed to ensuring that those who knowingly break the law are held fully accountable.”

    The IRS-CI Chicago Field Office; HHS-OIG – Office of Investigations, Milwaukee Field Office; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, New York and Chicago Regional Offices; FBI Milwaukee Field Office; and the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys with the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

    Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.  For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, visit its website at http://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: D. Boral Capital Acted as Joint Bookrunner to Decent Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: DXST) in connection with its $5.0 Million Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On Jan. 23, 2025, Decent Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: DXST) (the “Company”), an established wastewater treatment services provider in China, announced the closing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,250,000 ordinary shares (the “Ordinary Shares”) at a public offering price of $4.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $5 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and other offering expenses. The Ordinary Shares commenced trading on Nasdaq Capital Market on January 22, 2025, under the ticker symbol “DXST.” The Offering closed on January 23, 2025.

    In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters an option, exercisable within 45 days from the closing date of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 187,500 Ordinary Shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts, to cover over-allotments, if any.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for (i) business expansion; (ii) research and development; (iii) promoting the river water quality management service and expanding the treatment scope of river water; (iv) development and upgrade of wastewater treatment technology; and (v) recruiting talents in research and development and management.

    The Offering was conducted on a firm commitment basis. Craft Capital Management LLC and D. Boral Capital LLC acted as underwriters (the “Underwriters”) for the Offering. Ortoli Rosenstadt LLP acted as U.S. securities counsel to the Company, and The Crone Law Group, P.C. acted as U.S. securities counsel to the Underwriters, in connection with the Offering.

    A registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-282509) relating to the Offering, as amended, was previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC“) and was declared effective by the SEC on January 21, 2025. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus related to the Offering may be obtained from Craft Capital Management LLC by standard mail to Craft Capital Management LLC, 377 Oak St, Lower Concourse, Garden City, NY 11530, or via email at info@craftcm.com or by telephone at +1 (800) 550-8411; or from D. Boral Capital LLC by standard mail to D. Boral Capital LLC, 590 Madison Ave 39th Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by email at info@dboralcapital.com, or by telephone at +1 (212) 970-5150. In addition, a copy of the final prospectus relating to the Offering, dated January 21, 2025, can also be obtained via the SEC’s website at http://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 information about the Company and the Offering. This press release has been prepared for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Decent Holding Inc.

    Decent Holding Inc. specializes in the provision of wastewater treatment by cleansing the industrial wastewater, ecological river restoration and river ecosystem management by enhancing the water quality, as well as microbial products primarily used for pollutant removal and water quality enhancement, through the Company’s subsidiary, Shandong Dingxin Ecology Environmental Co., Ltd.

    For more information, please visit: https://ir.dxshengtai.com.

    Forward-Looking Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as “may, “will, “intend,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate” or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the Company’s statements regarding the expected trading of its Ordinary Shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the closing of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions and the completion of the initial public offering on the anticipated terms or at all, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement filed with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at http://www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

    Contact Us:

    D. Boral Capital
    590 Madison Avenue, 39th Floor
    New York, NY 10022
    Main Phone: +1 (212) 970-5150
    http://www.dboralcapital.com
    info@dboralcapital.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Corporation and Former Chief Executive Officer Plead Guilty to Health Care Fraud and Tax Conspiracy

    Source: US State of California

    The Justice Department announced today that KBWB Operations LLC, which did business as Atrium Health and Senior Living (KBWB-Atrium), and former Chief Executive Officer and Managing Member Kevin Breslin of KBWB-Atrium, both pleaded guilty to one count of health care fraud and one count of tax conspiracy related to the operation of numerous skilled nursing facilities.

    “Americans rely on skilled nursing facilities to care for themselves, family members and other loved ones, and the operators of these institutions must live up to their obligations and the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners to help ensure the safety and dignity of our must vulnerable citizens.”

    Breslin, 58, of Hoboken, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on Dec. 17, 2024. KBWB-Atrium pleaded guilty in the same court on Jan. 21. Breslin is one of six owners of KBWB-Atrium. KBWB-Atrium’s corporate headquarters was located in Little Falls, New Jersey, and its Midwest corporate office was located in Appleton, Wisconsin. KBWB-Atrium operated and owned nursing facilities in New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

    On Feb. 1, 2023, a Wisconsin grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against defendants Breslin and KBWB-Atrium (collectively the defendants) charging health care fraud and tax conspiracy, among other charges. According to court documents, from approximately Jan. 1, 2015, to in or about September 2018, KBWB-Atrium operated and owned 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, and Breslin was responsible for overseeing all of KBWB-Atrium’s operations. The primary source of income for the KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities was federal Medicare and Medicaid funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

    According to court documents, the defendants’ alleged health care fraud scheme involved unlawfully diverting CMS funds intended for the operation, management, maintenance, and care of the residents of the KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities for other purposes and personal expenses. The defendants allegedly prioritized distributions and guaranteed payments to KBWB-Atrium’s owners regardless of KBWB-Atrium’s financial situation. The defendants’ alleged actions resulted in failing to meet the required federal regulations governing skilled nursing facilities, including not operating the KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin skilled nursing facilities in a manner that would enhance residents’ quality of life. According to court documents, the defendants also knew that vendors were not being paid for extended periods of time or some were not paid at all for their services. Additionally, defendants allegedly failed to pay third-party administrators monies deducted from KBWB-Atrium employees’ paychecks for insurance premiums and 401(k) plan contributions.

    As a part of the tax conspiracy alleged in court documents, Breslin, acting on behalf of KBWB-Atrium, directed that income taxes and employment taxes withheld from KBWB-Atrium Wisconsin employees’ paychecks not be paid over to the IRS. This caused employees to prepare tax returns listing those withholdings as having been paid to the IRS, which was false.

    The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on May 7 before U.S. District Judge William M. Conleyfor the Western District of Wisconsin. Breslin faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison for the health care fraud count and five years in prison for the conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States count, along with a period of supervised release. Both defendants face restitution and other monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence of each defendant after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.       

    “Healthcare fraud affects every American,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy M. O’Shea for the Western District of Wisconsin. “My office was proud to partner with the Justice Department’s Civil Division to help prosecute these individuals who harmed seniors and exploited our health care benefits programs for personal gain.”

    “This guilty plea demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding individuals accountable who exploit vulnerable populations and defraud the healthcare system for personal gain,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Breslin’s actions not only eroded public trust but endangered the well-being of patients who rely on our health care system. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to investigate and bring to justice those who abuse positions of trust.”

    “The guilty pleas of Kevin Breslin and KBWB Operations LLC serve as a reminder that healthcare fraud is not only a direct violation of patient care, but also an attack on the financial systems that underpin public and private trust,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chicago Field Office. “IRS-CI and its law enforcement partners remain dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals and businesses who seek to exploit public and private institutions for personal gain.”

    “HHS-OIG is dedicated to protecting Medicare and Medicaid funds and ensuring that health care providers uphold their responsibility to serve vulnerable populations with integrity,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The actions of those involved in this scheme erode the trust placed in our nation’s health care system, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who misuse public funds for personal gain.”

    “Employers placing profit over upholding their legal fiduciary responsibilities when managing health benefit plans will not be tolerated,” said Regional Director Ruben R. Chapa of the Employee Benefits Security Administration in Chicago. “The Employee Benefits Security Administration remains committed to ensuring that those who knowingly break the law are held fully accountable.”

    The IRS-CI Chicago Field Office; HHS-OIG – Office of Investigations, Milwaukee Field Office; U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, New York and Chicago Regional Offices; FBI Milwaukee Field Office; and the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Medicaid Fraud Control and Elder Abuse Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys with the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin.

    Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.  For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin, visit its website at www.justice.gov/usao-wdwi.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Pleas from Two Zuni Men in Armed Assault Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – Two men from Zuni, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon after admitting to committing an armed assault involving four victims.

    According to court documents, on April 8, 2023, Kamron Kallestewa, 24, and Kaden Panteah, 20, both enrolled members of the Pueblo of Zuni, armed themselves with pistols and went to a residence within the exterior boundaries of the Zuni Pueblo, where they assaulted four individuals.

    There, Kallestewa struck John Doe 1 in the face and head with a pistol, causing bruising, and then pointed the weapon at John Doe 2, placing the muzzle on the back of his head. He further escalated the violence by pointing the pistol at Jane Doe 1’s head and striking Jane Doe 2 in the face, resulting in a cut under her eye.

    Panteah participated in the assault by putting the muzzle of his pistol to the back of John Doe 2’s head. Additionally, Panteah discharged a weapon in the direction of all four victims with the intent to cause bodily harm.

    Kallestewa and Panteah will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. At sentencing, they each face up to 10 years in prison. Upon their release from prison, Kallestewa and Panteah will be subject to three years of supervised release.

    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 Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mia Ulibarri-Rubin and Jesse Pecoraro are prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met officer convicted of rape

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A Met officer has been convicted of rape following an investigation by detectives.

    PC Samuel McGregor, 33, previously attached to the Central North Command Unit was found guilty of rape on Friday, 24 January following a trial at Inner London Crown Court.

    He had previously pleaded not guilty to rape at Inner London Crown Court Crown Court on 23 June 2023.

    Chief Superintendent Andy Carter, in charge of policing for Central North: “I am sickened by McGregor’s abhorrent behaviour and the pain he has caused the victim.

    “There is simply no place for individuals like McGregor in the Met, and we will continue to root out such vile individuals.

    “I am proud of the officers who throughout the investigation displayed the care and compassion deserved by the victim, as they carried out interviews and gathered forensic evidence to show the extent of the abuse and develop a watertight case against McGregor.   

    “Above all, I am pleased to see today’s result, which I hope brings some closure to the victim.

    “Now that criminal proceedings have taken place, McGregor will face a misconduct hearing at the earliest opportunity.”

    The court heard that the victim, who was known to McGregor, had been raped on 11 May 2021 at an address in London. She confided this incident to her colleagues at a later date, and they reported it to officers on the victim’s behalf on 2 June 2021. McGregor was swiftly arrested the day after, on suspicion of rape.

    A misconduct hearing will take place in due course.

    Sentencing will be held on Monday, 10 March.

    McGregor was suspended from duty on 3 March 2022 after he admitted lying during a police interview.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump inherits the Guantánamo prison, complete with 4 ‘forever prisoners’

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lisa Hajjar, Professor of Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara

    A control tower overlooks the Camp VI detention facility, at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    President Joe Biden’s record of handling the U.S. military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, is decidedly mixed. He succeeded in reducing the detainee population he inherited by more than half, but he compounded problems in the military commissions that the Bush administration had invented in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to try people captured in the “war on terror.” Now all the problems at Guantánamo are again President Donald Trump’s.

    When Biden took office in 2021, there were 40 prisoners. Today there are 15, the lowest number since the first 20 Muslim men and boys captured in Afghanistan were airlifted to the base on Jan. 11, 2002.

    Biden left Trump four people the U.S. will not release but also cannot put on trial – the so-called “forever prisoners.” He also left intact the troubled military commissions system, with three pending criminal cases against a total of six detainees.

    In December 2021, former chief military defense attorney Brig. Gen. John Baker testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee: “It is too late in the process for the current military commissions to do justice for anyone. The best that can be hoped for at this point … is to bring this sordid chapter of American history to an end.” Baker made clear that the only viable option is to resolve the cases with plea bargains for the defendants.

    Marine Brig. Gen. John Baker tells U.S. senators that there is no opportunity for justice to be done at Guantánamo.

    A chance to make progress

    There are three cases that have not yet gone to trial – the 9/11 case with four defendants facing charges for their connections with the attacks, the USS Cole bombing in October 2000 with one defendant and the Bali bombing in October 2002 with one defendant.

    The 9/11 and USS Cole cases have been stuck in the pretrial phase since Biden was Barack Obama’s vice president. In the summer of 2024, a breakthrough in the 9/11 case appeared imminent: Prosecutors and defense lawyers for three of the four defendants reportedly reached plea-bargain agreements. Khalid Sheikh Mohammad – the alleged “mastermind” of the attacks – Walid bin Attash and Mustafa Hawsawi agreed to plead guilty and accept life sentences in exchange for the government taking the death penalty off the table. There was no deal for the fourth 9/11 defendant, Ammar al-Baluchi.

    The deals were approved on July 31 by the top military officer overseeing the Guantánamo commissions, retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier. But two days later, Biden’s defense secretary, Lloyd Austin, stepped into the process and overrode Escallier – whom he had appointed. Austin announced that the plea deals were revoked.

    The judge, Air Force Col. Matthew McCall, decided to schedule plea hearings for early January. But after some legal back-and-forth that forced a stay, he had to cancel them. Biden left the case against three 9/11 defendants in limbo.

    The basement of this government building in Bucharest, Romania, held a secret CIA prison, one of many across the world.
    AP Photo

    Witness to the transition

    In mid-January 2025, I made my sixteenth reporting trip to Guantánamo. I came for closing arguments on a motion in the 9/11 case that seeks to suppress statements that Ammar al-Baluchi made to the FBI in January 2007. That was four months after he and 13 others were transferred to Guantánamo from CIA black sites where they were held for years. The litigation to suppress those statements started in 2019.

    In Chapter 10 of my book, “The War in Court: Inside the Long Fight against Torture,” I detail how the litigation on this suppression motion made public previously unknown details and under-acknowledged horrors of the CIA’s rendition, detention and interrogation program.

    These closing arguments were the culmination of six years of litigation on the key question in the 9/11 case: Does torture matter in the pursuit of justice in the military commissions?

    A drawing by Guantánamo detainee Abu Zubaydah depicts a person being waterboarded.
    Copyright Abu Zubaydah 2019. Licensed by Professor Mark Denbeaux, Seton Hall Law School

    Can Guantánamo be closed?

    Of the 780 people ever detained at Guantánamo, 540 were released during the presidency of George W. Bush, who established the detention facility. Obama, who signed an executive order on his second day in office pledging to close Guantánamo within a year, released 200.

    In his first term, Trump pledged to keep the facility open. The only man to leave Guantánamo during Trump’s first term was Ahmed al-Darbi, who was repatriated to Saudi Arabia in 2018 to serve out the remainder of his sentence from a 2014 plea bargain agreement.

    When Biden took office, he said that he supported shutting down the military prison at Guantánamo. In the early years of his presidency, there was a slow stream of transfers, mostly people who had been cleared for release long ago and were freed.

    In Biden’s last months, the pace of transfers quickened. In December 2024, a Kenyan detainee, two Malaysian members of al-Qaida who had pled guilty the previous January, and a Tunisian man who had been in Guantánamo since the day the facility was opened were all repatriated to their countries of origin and freed. In January 2024, 11 Yemenis were transported from the prison to Oman to be resettled.

    15 men left behind

    The Biden administration had also planned to repatriate a severely disabled Iraqi detainee, Abd al-Hadi al-Iraqi, to serve out his plea-bargained sentence in a Baghdad prison. But a federal judge blocked that transfer, ruling that al-Iraqi would not get necessary medical treatment in Iraq and might be subject to abuse there.

    Al-Iraqi is one of the 15 that Biden left behind. Three of them – a Libyan, a Somali and a stateless Rohingya – have long been cleared for release. Their continuing detention without charges highlights a key element of the Guantánamo problem: No one can be released unless the U.S. government finds another country willing to accept them.

    One of the remaining detainees, Ali Bahlul, is serving a life sentence for conspiracy to commit war crimes. Six others, including the four 9/11 defendants, are awaiting their trials.

    There are also four detainees whom the government refuses to transfer but cannot put on trial for lack of evidence.

    The U.S. goverment says it cannot release Abu Zubaydah from Guantánamo because he would disclose classified interrogation techniques critics have labeled torture.
    U.S. Central Command via AP

    These so-called “forever prisoners” include Abu Zubaydah, a Saudi-born man of Palestinian descent who was taken into CIA custody in 2002 and was used as the guinea pig for the CIA torture program. The government long ago conceded that Abu Zubaydah was not a top leader of al-Qaida – in fact he was not even a member. But he will not be released because he knows how he was treated by the CIA, and that treatment remains highly classified.

    The newest forever prisoner is one of the original 9/11 defendants, Ramzi bin al-Shibh; in September 2023, he was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial. Now he is uncharged, unreleased and untreated for his psychological maladies that were caused by the torture he endured in CIA black sites.

    The ‘War on Terror’ is not over

    When Biden pulled U.S. troops out of Afghanistan in August 2021, he claimed to have ended America’s longest war – and repeated this claim in a January 2025 speech. But the Guantánamo prison remains open, and as long as it is, the “war on terror,” which first put U.S. troops in Afghanistan in 2001, is not over.

    How Trump will deal with Guantánamo is an open question. If he focuses on the death penalty, he will press ahead with military commission trials like his predecessors, hoping for unanimous guilty verdicts and death sentences. If he prioritizes cutting wasteful government spending, he will release additional detainees and allow the three plea bargain agreements to go into effect.

    No one I spoke to during my last trip was willing to predict what a second Trump term might bode for Guantánamo – except that it won’t be closed.

    Lisa Hajjar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump inherits the Guantánamo prison, complete with 4 ‘forever prisoners’ – https://theconversation.com/trump-inherits-the-guantanamo-prison-complete-with-4-forever-prisoners-247058

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Maryland Man Convicted in $20M Insurance Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A federal jury convicted a Maryland man yesterday for conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, money laundering, filing false tax returns and identity theft.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, James Wilson, of Owings Mills, conspired with others to defraud insurance companies by obtaining over 30 life insurance policies for applicants by mispresenting their health, wealth and existing life insurance coverage. The total death benefits from these policies exceeded $20 million.

    Wilson also conspired to defraud individual investors to obtain funds that he then used to pay premiums on fraudulently-obtained life insurance policies. To conceal the fraud, Wilson transferred the fraud through multiple bank accounts, including accounts in the name of trusts. Wilson filed false individual income tax returns for 2018 and 2019, which concealed approximately $5.7 million and $2 million respectively of fraud proceeds.

    Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering; and a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of filing a false tax return. Wilson also faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison for each count of aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)’s Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

    IRS-CI investigated the case, with assistance from the Maryland Insurance Administration and Maryland Attorney General.

    Trial Attorneys Shawn Noud and Richard Kelley of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Phelps and Philip Motsay for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Yarmouth Resident Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A South Yarmouth man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possessing a firearm and ammunition. Defendant barricaded himself in basement following domestic disturbance.

    Michael Giampapa, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 45 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2024, Giampapa pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    On March 16, 2022, police responded to a call reporting a domestic disturbance at a residence in South Yarmouth involving Giampapa and a family member. Giampapa was barricaded in the basement when police arrived. He spoke by phone with a family member and during that call, stated he has a gun. After a standoff with law enforcement Giampapa eventually exited the residence and was arrested.

    Following a search of the residence where Giampapa was staying a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard loaded .380 handgun was recovered inside a cereal box on open shelving in the basement. Giampapa had previously been convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Chief Kevin Lennon of the Yarmouth Police Department made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit.

    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 gun violence and other violent crime, 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.

    This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clinton County Man Indicted For Production Of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kyle Grey, age 35, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, was indicted on January 23, 2025, on four charges of production of child pornography.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment alleges that Grey produced child pornography three times on or about October 9, 2024, and once on October 29, 2024.

    The case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting 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  http://www.usdoj.gov/psc.

    The maximum penalty under federal law for each offense is 30 years of imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bridgeport Man Charged with Narcotics Distribution Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Robert Fuller, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, today announced that DARREN EBRON, also known as “D,” 32, of Bridgeport, was arrested yesterday on a criminal complaint charging him with narcotics distribution offenses.

    Ebron appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

    As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement identified Ebron as a distributor of various controlled substances in and around Bridgeport.  Between August 2024 and January 2025, investigators made multiple controlled purchases of distribution quantities of fentanyl from Ebron, intercepted numerous calls and text messages through a court-authorized wiretap during which Ebron coordinated the sale of fentanyl and crack cocaine to others, and observed Ebron conducting narcotics transactions.

    The complaint charges Ebron with possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and use of a communications facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of four years.

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

    This investigation is being conducted by the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, the Bridgeport Police Department, and the Stratford Police Department.  The Task Force is composed of personnel from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Trumbull Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Charges Española Man with Drug Trafficking and Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A federal grand jury has indicted an Española man on multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances following an incident at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Bernalillo County.

    According to court documents, on September 16, 2024, Pueblo of Sandia Police responded to a 911 hang-up call from a hotel room at the Sandia Resort and Casino. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Zacary Cipriano Lucero, 63, and two women in the hotel room. At that time, Lucero claimed the women had stolen money from him.

    During the investigation, one of the women suggested searching Lucero‘s bags, alleging he was trading fentanyl for sex. Lucero denied consent to search his bags and stated he wanted to drop the charges against the women.

    After being read his Miranda rights, Lucero told officers he had invited the women to his room around 4 a.m. after meeting them in the casino. He claimed he discovered his cell phone and money were missing after dozing off.

    Officers sealed the room and obtained a search warrant. On September 17, 2024, during the execution of the warrant, police discovered:

    • Approximately 238 grams of suspected fentanyl
    • 16 grams of suspected cocaine
    • 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine
    • Approximately $3,190 in cash

    These items were found in bags that Lucero had previously claimed ownership of.

    Lucero will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Lucero faces up to 40 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with the assistance of the Pueblo of Sandia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woman jailed for the manslaughter of her four small sons after fatal fire in Sutton

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A mother has been given a ten year sentence for manslaughter after her four small sons were left alone at home and killed in a house fire in Sutton.

    The boys – two sets of twins, Bryson and Kyson Hoath, aged four, and Leyton and Logan Hoath, aged three – had been left alone at their home in Collingwood Road one evening in December just over three years ago when a fire broke out that would end their lives.

    Their mother, Deveca Rose, 30 (03.10.94), of Collingwood Road, Sutton, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, 24 January where she was sentenced to ten years in prison.

    The boys’ paternal grandmother, Kerrie, said:

    “This sentence marks the end of a three year ordeal.

    “Bryson, Kyson, Leyton and Logan were cruelly taken from us in a senseless act of negligence by their mother.

    “The disregard she showed towards them has been echoed throughout this trial, and our family have had to endure three years of lies, delays and false narratives, which has been a nightmare.

    “The toll it has taken on our family cannot be overstated.

    “The boys were beautiful, loving children who did not deserve this and the impact they made on us in their short lives cannot be measured.

    “We miss them every day and will always hold them in our heart.

    “We wish to thank the courts, the jury and the police for the work they have done to ensure the boys’ story has been heard and that justice is done.”

    Detective Chief Inspector Samantha Townsend of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

    “This has been a deeply upsetting investigation for everyone involved.

    “Deveca Rose was a mother who placed her own self-interest above the safety of her children.

    “Had she not left the children to go shopping, she may have been able to put out the fire, or at the very least, got the children to safety.

    “Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, she invented a story that was built around a babysitter whose very existence could not be confirmed.

    “The sadness at the needless loss of four young lives is beyond our comprehension.

    “I cannot begin to imagine the devastation felt by the children’s wider family and loved ones and our thoughts are with them all today.”

    Ms Rose had previously been convicted of manslaughter at the same court on Thursday, 3 October and was bailed for sentencing. She was found not guilty of child neglect.

    The court heard that shortly after 19:00hrs on the night of Thursday, 16 December 2021, a passer-by on Collingwood Road realised the house was on fire.

    They alerted a neighbour who kicked in the front door in an attempt to reach the children, but the fire, having taken hold of the property, prevented their entry.

    Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service.

    Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control and recovered the four unconscious boys from an upstairs bedroom, whilst medics attempted to save them.

    Despite their efforts – treating the children at the scene – they sadly died in hospital.

    Their mother, Ms Rose, had left the boys alone to go shopping and returned whilst the house was on fire.

    She claimed the children had been left in the care of a woman called ‘Jade’, which prompted firefighters to go back into the house to search for Jade.

    No other people were found inside.

    Ms Rose was arrested on suspicion of child neglect that same night, and following interview, was released under investigation.

    Post-mortem examinations found the boys had died from inhalation of fire fumes, whist detectives undertook a meticulous investigation in order to identify the alleged babysitter, ‘Jade’.

    Detectives considered that the passer-by who raised the alarm may have been ‘Jade’, but the description of the woman who had alerted neighbours to the fire differed to the description of ‘Jade’ given by Deveca Rose.

    After Ms Rose described the circumstances of her meeting ‘Jade’ a few days before the fire, officers scoured hours of CCTV and could find no trace of them having met, to which Ms Rose responded with claims they had met on a minor road with no CCTV.

    In addition, examination of the call data on Ms Rose’s mobile phone showed no contact details for a ‘Jade’ and, when she had attempted to call ‘Jade’ from the scene of the fire, data showed that Ms Rose’s calls did not connect as the number was not viable, and the number was instead notably similar to her own phone number.

    CCTV enquiries in the area showed Ms Rose had also gone out alone the day before the fire.

    Investigators believed the fire was started in the living room on the ground floor either by a candle, tealight or a burning cigarette. Conditions inside the house were messy and unsanitary which helped the fire spread quickly.

    The children, who had been locked inside and were unable to escape the house, had fled to an upstairs bedroom where they would be overcome by smoke.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dartmouth — New text message scam appears to be from the RCMP

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The RCMP is warning the public about a new phishing scam that’s taking place via text message.

    Today, the Nova Scotia RCMP received information from the public about unsolicited text messages being received by potential victims. RCMP officers have learned that scammers are sending fictitious “RCMP Delivery Notice” messages; the texts state that the RCMP has been unable to deliver court documents and ask people to “please reschedule the delivery to avoid missing your court date by using the link below.”

    Investigators remind the public that the RCMP does not issue notices by text message.

    “Scammers have created what appears to be a legitimate notification that brings you to a convincing website,” says Cpl. Mitch Thompson, Commercial Crime Section. “Remember that the RCMP will never ask for your personal information via text or email.”

    Criminals create a sense of urgency and have the ability to spoof phone numbers and websites to make them appear very authentic. If you receive a suspicious text message, protect yourself:

    • Don’t respond to unknown phone numbers
    • Don’t provide any personal information, including your name, date of birth, phone number, email, address or banking details
    • Don’t click on links sent to you from an unverified source
    • Access government agency websites through official links; the RCMP’s website is https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/

    Anyone who believes they may be a victim, knows someone who is a victim, or has information about these scams, is encouraged to contact their local RCMP detachment or police of jurisdiction. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-tips (8477) or submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.

    For more tips and information on current scams, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

    File #: 2025-106308

    MIL Security OSI –