NewzIntel.com

Category: Law Enforcement

  • MIL-OSI Security: Camden County Man Pleads Guilty to Violent Armed Robberies of Three Corner Stores in Philadelphia’s Kensington Section

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Jared Stanley, 32, of Lindenwold, New Jersey, entered a plea of guilty on Friday, October 11, 2024, before United States District Court Judge John F. Murphy to three counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with the armed robberies of three corner stores in Philadelphia’s Kensington section.

    Stanley committed all three robberies during a two-week span in late January and early February of this year.

    On January 21, 2024, the defendant entered the Birch Mini-Market, located at 2001 East Birch Street. He approached the counter, pointed a gun at the cashier, and demanded money. When the cashier didn’t understand him, Stanley started screaming at them. He repeatedly hit the cashier in the head with the gun, stole approximately $550 from the register, and fled.

    On January 28, 2024, Stanley and an unidentified co-conspirator entered the Capricorno Grocery, located at 2000 East Orleans Street. Stanley walked to the employee area of the store, displayed a firearm, grabbed the employee by the shirt and forcibly pulled him away, pistol whipped him repeatedly, and stood guard over him while his accomplice went back to the register and stole approximately $500.

    On February 2, 2024, Stanley and an unidentified co-conspirator entered Bonifacios Grocery, located at 3052 Frankford Avenue. They pushed an employee to the cash register, told him to get on the ground and then pistol whipped him in the head. Stanley and his accomplice then stole approximately $500 from the cash register and fled the store on foot.

    Stanley is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment, five years of supervised release, a $1,250,000 fine, and a $500 special assessment.

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

    The case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Windsor — West Hants RCMP arrest youth after threats made

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    West Hants RCMP Detachment has arrested a youth after they uttered threats toward other youths at a high school.

    On October 16, at approximately 5:40 p.m., West Hants RCMP received a report that a youth told other youths about plans to bring a weapon to school the following day and target specific students.

    Officers immediately followed up with witnesses then attended a residence later that evening and arrested a youth. The investigating officers also executed a search warrant at a residence and seized a firearm and two replica firearms, as well as other evidence relevant to the investigation.

    “Safety concerns for schools, such as threats, are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly,” says Cst. Richard Collins, School Safety Resource Officer at West Hants RCMP Detachment. “I’m glad the witnesses who heard these threats were brave enough to talk about them with people they trust because it allowed us to take steps that may have prevented potential violence from taking place.”

    The youth, who will face charges of Uttering Threats, was released on conditions pending an appearance in Windsor Provincial Court on December 6.

    The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the West Hants RCMP.

    File #: 2024-1530161

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Par Funding Principal and Former CFO Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Joseph Cole Barleta (aka “Joe Cole”), 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney on one count of racketeering conspiracy, in connection with his role in the operation of a fraudulent investment vehicle known as Complete Business Solutions Group Inc. d/b/a Par Funding (“Par Funding”), which is alleged to have generated over $100 million in illegal proceeds for Barleta and its other principals, to the detriment of Par Funding’s numerous investors, many who live in the Philadelphia region.

    According to a second superseding indictment filed in February, Barleta and codefendants Joseph LaForte, James LaForte, and others, were part of an association-in-fact RICO enterprise that conspired to commit a number of predicate crimes, including crimes related to the fleecing of Par Funding’s many investors. Barleta’s admitted role in the conspiracy related to the securities and wire fraud components of the enterprise.

    Joe LaForte and James LaForte pleaded guilty last month to racketeering conspiracy, securities fraud, and related crimes.

    Joe LaForte is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13, 2025.

    James LaForte and Joseph Cole Barleta are both scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2025.

    Per the terms of Barleta’s plea agreement, the government is seeking a sentence of imprisonment of up to eight years, although the Court has discretion to impose a higher or lower sentence.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Pennsylvania State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew T. Newcomer, Samuel S. Dalke, Eric D. Gill, and Patrick J. Murray, as well as former Assistant United States Attorney Alexandra M. Lastowski. The SEC in Florida investigated and litigated the civil securities fraud charges, which formed the basis of a portion of the criminal prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Delaware Man Sentenced to More Than 23 Years in Prison for Two Violent Delco Carjackings

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Keenan Righter, 21, of New Castle, Delaware, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Chief Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg to 280 months in prison, five years of supervised release, restitution of $1,919, and a $500 assessment, in connection with two armed carjackings in Delaware County in January of 2023.

    Righter was convicted by a jury in May of conspiracy, two counts of carjacking, and two counts of using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence arising from his role in the two carjacking incidents. Codefendant Jamar Miller pleaded guilty to these offenses in March of 2023 and is awaiting sentencing.

    On January 14, 2023, at approximately 9 p.m., Righter and others drove in Miller’s car to a Wawa on Route 322 in Upper Chichester Township, Delaware County. Righter and another male then ambushed a 23-year-old college student who was walking to his car after leaving the store. The men, each brandishing firearms and wearing masks to disguise their identities, demanded the victim’s vehicle at gunpoint. They pistol-whipped the victim in the back of the head and fled the scene in the victim’s car.

    On January 24, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Righter and another male drove in Miller’s car to a Wawa on Edgmont Avenue in Brookhaven, Delaware County. Again, they wore masks and carried firearms as they carjacked a 33-year-old victim at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Wawa. The men pistol-whipped the victim multiple times in the head with a firearm as they stole his belongings and fled the scene in his car.

    The defendant was apprehended after an intensive investigation by FBI Philadelphia’s Newtown Square Resident Agency, in conjunction with the Brookhaven and Upper Chichester Police Departments. Digital forensic evidence and more linked the defendant to both carjackings.

    “Imagine the shock of being violently ambushed on a Wawa run, of all things,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Keenan Righter targeted and terrorized total strangers, just to steal their cars. Armed criminals who think they can victimize innocent people with impunity should take a good hard look at 21-year-old Mr. Righter’s 23-year prison sentence. Keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll earn your own long stay in one of our federal facilities.”  

    “Such brazen and senseless acts, like the ones in this case, not only devastate the victims but our community at large,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “This sentencing exemplifies the value of partnerships in combatting violent crime. Our office will continue to work alongside our local law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to keep violent offenders off the streets and ensure our neighborhoods are a safer place to live.”

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

    The case was investigated by the FBI, the Brookhaven Police Department, and Upper Chichester Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Doherty and Branwen McNabb O’Donnell.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Sentenced to 66 Months in Prison for Stealing From Elderly Incapacitated Victims

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Carlton Rembert, 70, of Hampton, Virginia, was sentenced on October 11, 2024, by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky to 66 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release, $534,335 in restitution to the victims, and a $400 special assessment for his role in a scheme to defraud elderly incapacitated people of over $1 million.

    Rembert’s late co-conspirator and sister, Gloria Byars, was a court-appointed guardian for over 100 incapacitated wards in Pennsylvania. Between 2012 and 2018, Byars, Rembert, and other co-conspirators stole the life savings from dozens of wards while Byars served as their court-appointed guardian. Byars pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and tax fraud for her role in the fraud scheme. Rembert proceeded to trial in November 2023 and after a four-day trial, a jury found Rembert guilty of conspiracy, bank fraud, and wire fraud.

    As guardian, Byars had unfettered access to wards’ property including bank accounts, pensions, real estate, retirement accounts, and other assets. Byars stole money from the wards’ bank accounts by writing unauthorized checks to companies she controlled, or to shell companies controlled by her co-conspirators, Rembert and Alesha Mitchell. Rembert and Mitchell assisted Byars in the theft by opening bank accounts in their home state of Virginia in the names of shell companies purporting to be medical services companies. Byars made the checks payable to her co-conspirators’ fake medical services companies, to make it appear that the elderly incapacitated ward incurred a legitimate medical expense.

    After receiving dozens of checks from his sister, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in stolen ward checks into five separate shell business bank accounts he had opened. Rembert then withdrew over $388,000 in cash through 94 structured withdrawals. Rembert also obtained $217,082 in certified checks, sending the certified checks to Byars and keeping a share of the stolen ward money for himself. When confronted by law enforcement, Rembert lied to investigators, pretending that he provided services to the elderly and sick victims. Some of the victims’ families testified at Rembert’s trial, telling the court that they had never heard of Rembert’s sham medical companies, and that neither Rembert nor his companies provided any services for their loved ones.

    Rembert and Byars spent the stolen ward money on personal expenses, including vacations, clothing and other retail purchases, restaurants, vehicles, gifts, and parties. In all, Byers, Rembert, and Mitchell stole well over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated people in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

    Alesha Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24.

    “Rembert and his co-conspirators had no qualms about ripping off these incapacitated victims and living it up on their stolen money,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “The greed and callousness here are off the charts. It’s vile that criminals target the elderly and infirm specifically to take advantage of their vulnerability. My office and our partners will continue to do all we can to hold these crooks responsible and protect our elders from such greed, fraud, and abuse.”

    “Elder fraud leaves a damaging impact on victims and our communities, and our office remains steadfast in pursuit of those who exploit this vulnerable population,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “We encourage those who believe that they or a loved one are a victim of elder fraud to report it. Reporting elder fraud is not only a step towards justice, but it helps protect others from victimization.”

    “Carlton Rembert, together with his co-conspirator Gloria Byars, abused the trust of the most vulnerable among us – individuals who have been incapacitated by age, illness, or both. What they did was truly heinous – and truly criminal. I applaud United States Attorney Romero for prosecuting these individuals, in one of the first guardianship fraud cases to be prosecuted. Unfortunately, this type of fraud is increasing, and it is important for law enforcement to send a clear signal that it will not be tolerated,” said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.

    “As a law enforcement community, it is our duty to hold individuals accountable who abuse their position of trust and steal from the people that are under their care,” said Amy MacNeely, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation. “We, along with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice, will continue to hold accountable those who exploit the most vulnerable among us.”

    The case was investigated by the FBI, the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, and IRS Criminal Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tiwana Wright and Samuel Dalke.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont, Congressional Delegation Secure $125 Million Federal Grant for Phase 3 of I-91, I-691, Route 15 Interchange Reconfiguration in Meriden

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, Congressman John B. Larson, and Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has been awarded a $125 million competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support Phase 3 of the construction project reconfiguring the highway interchange that connects Interstate 91, Interstate 691, and Route 15 in Meriden.

    This interchange is one of the most congested, outdated, and crash prone highway corridors in Connecticut, and the state leaders have been unified in working to secure federal funding that will enable the state to complete a major reconfiguration of this area.

    CTDOT is currently constructing the second of the project’s three phases. The project’s overall goal is to reduce congestion and improve safety by eliminating dangerous weaving points, correcting roadway geometry, and adding multi-lane exits. Upon completion of Phase 3 in 2030, the project will see the replacement and rehabilitation of several bridges and the addition and extension of auxiliary lanes to reduce crashes and improve traffic flow.

    Governor Lamont said, “This area of highway is one of the most heavily congested in Connecticut and our administration has made its reconfiguration a priority because it’s about time that we do something about the backups, crashes, and delays that this oddly designed section of roadway causes nearly every day. This is a major reconfiguration of a very heavily traveled area and it’s going to take some time to complete, but ultimately central Connecticut will benefit from finally easing the congestion on these highways. We’re able to execute this project thanks to the funding released by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I applaud Connecticut’s outstanding Congressional delegation for not only helping to get this law passed but also working to ensure that our state benefits from it in a major way. I thank the Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation for working with our administration to secure the funding for this important project.”

    Senator Blumenthal said, “I am proud that a historic $125 million in federal funding will support the reconfiguration of one of Connecticut’s most congested interchanges. This redesign will provide relief to the countless motorists who pass through every day and provide much-needed infrastructure upgrades. I will continue fighting to deliver federal investments to Connecticut that make our roads and highways more safe and secure.”

    Senator Murphy said, “Getting through the congestion on I-91, I-691, and Route 15 has become a daily headache for Connecticut drivers. This $125 million in federal dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help realign ramps, replace aging bridges, improve drainage, and support other long-needed infrastructure upgrades that streamline the flow of traffic, create good-paying jobs, and ensure a safer, smoother commute for thousands of people.”

    Congresswoman DeLauro said, “This is another victory for Connecticut. When my fellow Congressional members and I worked on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, we understood the law’s potential to benefit communities throughout the state. With funding now in place for Phase 3 of the reconfiguration of Interstate 91, Interstate 691, and Route 15, we are generating well-paying jobs, fixing bridges, expanding traffic lanes on I-91, making our roads safer, and enhancing road conditions.”

    Congresswoman Hayes said, “Reconfiguring the I-91, I-691, Route 15 interchange will reduce traffic and increase safety for drivers. I am delighted to see another federal investment awarded to move this project forward. Investing in modernizing infrastructure benefits communities, and I will continue to work with my Congressional colleagues to prioritize more projects that deliver for Connecticut.”

    Congressman Larson said, “Connecticut has some of the most congested and dangerous highways and interchanges in America. I worked with the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law so we can cut down on traffic congestion, repair aging roads and bridges, and support good-paying union jobs. I applaud Governor Lamont and Commissioner Eucalitto for their ongoing commitment to improving our infrastructure and revitalizing our communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to support projects across the state, including the Greater Hartford area, that accomplish those goals.”

    Commissioner Eucalitto said, “Improving safety is our number one priority at CTDOT and it is the number one goal of this project. Without federal support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects like this can sit idle for decades while Connecticut pays the price. We are thankful to Governor Lamont and the state legislature for ensuring we had matching funds to secure this grant, appreciative of our Congressional delegation for its steadfast advocacy, and grateful to our partners at USDOT who allow us to dream big once again.”

    The cost of the project’s first phase totaled $80 million and was entirely funded by the state. The second phase is supported by a combination of $50 million in state funding and $200 million federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The third phase will be supported by the $125 million federal grant announced today, as well as additional state funding. Combined, the expenditure for all three phases is anticipated to be more than $500 million.

    This project includes a project labor agreement with the building trades, providing good-paying jobs and workforce development training for the next generation of workers.

    The first phase began in early 2023 and is aimed at repairing bridges, adding a lane of traffic to I-91, and making related road improvements. This includes:

    • Realigning and reconfiguring the ramp from I-691 eastbound to I-91 northbound (Exit 1A old Exit 11) to two lanes to meet traffic demand.
    • Bridge replacement due to the proposed ramp realignment.
    • Adding an auxiliary lane on I-91 northbound to relieve congestion and improve safety caused by a steep uphill grade.

    This second phase began in June and includes:

    • Adding a new two-lane exit ramp from Route 15 northbound to I-91 northbound to reduce traffic congestion on the Exit 68 N-E ramp.
    • Closing the existing Exit 17 ramp from I-91 northbound to Route 15 northbound and re-routing traffic to Exit 16 to provide a two-lane exit ramp with a right-side traffic merge onto Route 15 northbound.
    • Reconfiguring the existing Exit 68W ramp from Route 15 northbound to I-691 westbound to two lanes.
    • Reconfiguring the acceleration and deceleration lanes to provide adequate traffic weaving distances to improve safety.

    The third phase will include:

    • A new two-lane exit ramp from Route 15 southbound to I-91 southbound to reduce traffic congestion on the existing Exit 67 ramp.
    • A new two-lane I-91 southbound ramp to Route 15 southbound to reduce traffic congestion on the existing Exit 17 ramp.
    • Reconfiguring the ramp from I-691 eastbound to Route 15 southbound (Exit 10) to two lanes.
    • Reconfiguring the ramp from I-91 southbound to I-691 westbound (Exit 18) to two lanes.

    Members of the public are encouraged to learn more about the project, get the latest updates, and subscribe to construction alerts by visiting the project’s website at i-91i-691route15interchange.com.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman McCaul Calls on President Biden to Fully Enforce Mandatory 21st Century Peace through Strength Act Sanctions

    Source: US House Committee on Foreign Affairs

    Media Contact 202-226-8467

    San Francisco, Calif. — House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul sent a letter to President Biden urging him to implement mandatory sanctions against U.S. adversaries under McCaul’s bipartisan 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act. Despite the grave and growing threat Russia, China, and Iran pose to U.S. national security interests, the Biden-Harris administration has not issued a single sanctions designation under the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act since it was signed into law as part of the national security supplemental in April of 2024. 

    “I call on you to provide additional resources, including detailed staff, to the Departments of Treasury and State for the specific purpose of immediate and robust implementation of the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act to counter Iran, Russia, and China. The world is on fire; we cannot lose another day to hesitation, appeasement, and weakness.”

    The full text of the letter can be here and found below:

    Dear President Biden,

    The United States, our allies, and our partners are facing unprecedented threats from Iran, Russia, and China. Last year, the Biden-Harris administration requested supplemental funding to respond to our adversaries and assist our allies. Congress appropriated the funding and mandated additional policy changes, including sanctions and export controls, that would counter these generational threats.

    Nearly six months later, the Biden-Harris administration has failed to implement these requirements while our enemies are on the march. During this delay, Iran launched another major ballistic missile attack on Israel, transferred ballistic missiles to Russia, and supported its terrorist proxies; Iran-backed Hamas murdered hostages, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin; and China continued to purchase Iranian oil and support Russia’s defense industrial base.

    The administration has not issued a single sanctions designation under the bipartisan 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act (Public Law 118-50) enacted alongside the supplemental appropriations law. Even worse, the White House dragged its feet on delegating the authorities to the agencies. When Congress enacted the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in 2017, President Trump delegated authorities less than two months later. By contrast, it took you almost five months to delegate the authorities in the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act, significantly delaying vital actions to weaken our adversaries.

    I call on you to provide additional resources, including detailed staff, to the Departments of Treasury and State for the specific purpose of immediate and robust implementation of the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act to counter Iran, Russia, and China. The world is on fire; we cannot lose another day to hesitation, appeasement, and weakness.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Foster Reinforce Support for IVF Providers and Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    October 17, 2024
    [NAPERVILLE, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) today hosted a discussion with IVF providers, advocates and families on the challenges they face with IVF access at risk across the country after Donald Trump’s Supreme Court Justices overturned Roe v. Wade. Duckworth and Foster were joined by Dr. Amanda Schwartz of the Reproductive Medicine Institute, Dr. Megan Sax of Fertility Centers of Illinois and the Beck Family, a Crystal Lake-based family who used assisted reproductive technology to conceive their two children. Photos from today’s event are available on the Senator’s website.
    “After a decade of struggling with infertility, I was only able to have my two beautiful girls through the miracle of IVF,” Duckworth said. I’m grateful I had access to IVF to become a mom when I wanted to become a mom but now, thanks to Donald Trump, that right to reproductive care is at risk for millions of women across this country.  And while so many Republicans continue to claim to support families and IVF, their actions and their votes prove that the American people can’t take them at their word.”
    “I was proud to join Senator Duckworth in Naperville today to reinforce our commitment to protecting access to reproductive treatments like IVF,” said Foster. “Far-right politicians and judges have no business meddling in how Americans choose to start and grow their families. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure that every woman – no matter what state she lives in – has access to IVF and all forms of reproductive health care.”
    Duckworth has been the leader in Congress on protecting access to IVF. Duckworth’s Right to IVF Act, comprehensive legislation she led with U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), would establish a right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology (ART), expand access for hopeful parents, Veterans and federal employees and help lower the costs of IVF for middle class families across the country. Despite publicly claiming to support IVF for the millions of Americans who rely on it to build their families, nearly every Senate Republican voted against the bill in June and again last month.
    The Right to IVF Act builds upon Duckworth’s previous legislation, the Access to Family Building Act. Earlier this year, after the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that put access to IVF at risk for families across that state, Duckworth led a group of Senate Democrats in calling for the bill’s passage through unanimous consent, only for Republican U.S. Senator of Mississippi Cindy Hyde-Smith to object and block Duckworth’s effort. This was the second time Senate Republicans blocked Duckworth-led legislation that would protect access to IVF nationwide. The Access to Family Building Act builds on previous legislation she introduced in 2022.
    Duckworth was the first Senator to give birth while serving in office and had both of her children with the help of IVF. In 2018 she advocated for the Senate to change its rules so she could bring her infant onto the Senate floor.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 18th, 2024 In Advance of 100th Anniversary, Heinrich Leads Call to Prioritize Historic Route 66 Corridor for Federal Investments in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In advance of the 100th Anniversary of Historic Route 66 in 2026, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the co-founder and co-chair of the Electrification Caucus, led a letter alongside U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm urging them to prioritize investments in electric vehicle (EV) chargers along historic Route 66 as they oversee the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program applications under the Infrastructure Law. 

    In their letter, the senators wrote: “The rich history and culture of Route 66 as a symbol of American freedom and adventure will draw millions of visitors to each of the eight states it runs through during the Centennial Anniversary of this iconic highway in 2026. In particular, we urge the Federal Highway Administration and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to make significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) chargers along Route 66 through the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. We believe federal investment in EV charging will play a critical role in fostering economic and infrastructure development in communities all along Route 66 during its Centennial Anniversary.” 

    They continued: “More than 2 million people visit Route 66 every year, and our states are busy planning numerous events in 2026 to celebrate the anniversary and honor the Mother Road and its connection to American culture. Accessible charging infrastructure can help draw visitors to historic sites and roadside attractions, as well as catalyze the revitalization of downtowns and main streets. Infrastructure funded by Round 2 of the CFI program should be able to be installed and fully functional in time for the Centennial.” 

    They concluded: “Therefore, we urge your Departments to include specific consideration of applications from locations along Route 66 in this round of competitive CFI grants. Together, we can honor the history of the Mother Road while revitalizing communities and building a better future for the millions of Americans who live on Route 66.” 

    Background:

    One of America’s first continuous stretches of paved highway, U.S. Route 66, sometimes referred to as “The Mother Road,” was commissioned on November 11, 1926, and stretched 2,448 miles (3,940 km) from Chicago to Los Angeles. Many organizations in the eight states along Historic Route 66 are planning special events and tours to highlight the road’s Centennial in 2026, including the New Mexico Tourism Department, which just launched a grant program to provide support for marketing campaigns, special events, and infrastructure related to Route 66. 

    Congress passed the bipartisan Route 66 Centennial Commission Act in 2020 to establish a commission consisting of representatives from each of the eight Route 66 states. In their First Interim Report, released on July 11, 2023, the Route 66 Centennial Commission recommended the creation of a Route 66 Alternative Fuels Corridor Initiative to enable visitors to confidently travel the length of the entire route with whatever vehicle they choose. 

    The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) is a competitive grant program established in the Infrastructure Law to build out accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work. The program, which just opened its second round, will provide up to $2.5 billion over five years to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. 

    The full text of the senators’ letter can be found here and below. 

    Dear Secretary Buttigieg and Secretary Granholm: 

    As you work to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we write to encourage your Departments to take advantage of all opportunities to support economic development along Route 66. The rich history and culture of Route 66 as a symbol of American freedom and adventure will draw millions of visitors to each of the eight states it runs through during the Centennial Anniversary of this iconic highway in 2026. In particular, we urge the Federal Highway Administration and the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation to make significant investments in electric vehicle (EV) chargers along Route 66 through the second round of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. We believe federal investment in EV charging will play a critical role in fostering economic and infrastructure development in communities all along Route 66 during its Centennial Anniversary. 

    More than 2 million people visit Route 66 every year, and our states are busy planning numerous events in 2026 to celebrate the anniversary and honor the Mother Road and its connection to American culture. We applaud the administration’s work in appointing 12 individuals to serve as members of the Route 66 Centennial Commission, which was established by the bipartisan Route 66 Centennial Commission Act in 2020 (Public Law No: 116-256). Under this law, the Route 66 Centennial Commission is working “to identify and recommend activities that may be carried out by the Federal Government that are fitting and proper to honor Route 66 on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.” Notably, the Commission’s first Interim Report, released on July 11, 2023, recommended the creation of a Route 66 Alternative Fuels Corridor Initiative. As elected officials representing states along Route 66, we are fully supportive of this recommendation. 

    The CFI program provides a unique opportunity to support the recommendations set out by the commission’s report and enable visitors to confidently travel the length of the “Main Street of America” in whatever vehicle they choose. Accessible charging infrastructure can help draw visitors to historic sites and roadside attractions, as well as catalyze the revitalization of downtowns and main streets. Infrastructure funded by Round 2 of the CFI program should be able to be installed and fully functional in time for the Centennial. Therefore, we urge your Departments to include specific consideration of applications from locations along Route 66 in this round of competitive CFI grants. Together, we can honor the history of the Mother Road while revitalizing communities and building a better future for the millions of Americans who live on Route 66. 

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta’s best receive province’s highest honour

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    “The Alberta Order of Excellence inductees for 2024 reflect the best traits the people of our province have to offer: innovation, determination and a deep-seeded commitment to serving others. I know that their stories and their many contributions will serve to inspire fellow Albertans now and in the future.”

     Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani 

    This year’s inductees bring the total membership of the Alberta Order of Excellence to 220 over the past 45 years. Established in 1979, the Alberta Order of Excellence is the province’s highest honour and is an official part of the Canadian Honours System.

    The new Alberta Order of Excellence members are:

    DON BEGG – Don Begg of Cochrane is a bronze sculptor known around the world for his detailed and life-like figures. His work commemorates the human spirit by showcasing historical moments and everyday life on the Prairies.

    ROBERT FOSTER – Dr. Robert Foster of Edmonton is a globally recognized pharmaceutical scientist. He has improved the lives of thousands with his ground-breaking research, development and dedication to improving the standard of care in medicine.

    CATHERINE FRASER – As Chief Justice of Alberta, the Honourable Catherine Fraser of Edmonton strengthened fairness and equality in domestic and international justice systems, improving access to impartiality in the courts and defending the rule of law.

    WILL FERGUSON – Will Ferguson of Calgary is a gifted author. His award-winning work spans diverse genres and contributes to greater awareness among Canadian and international readers about historical and contemporary Canadian identity.

    STEPHEN MANDEL – As Edmonton’s 34th mayor, Stephen Mandel drove a period of abundant growth and transformation for the city. His dedication to serving Albertans is evident in his work as a philanthropist, volunteer and advocate for the arts and social issues.

    KIM RUETHER – Kim Ruether of Fairview founded the Project Brock Society to save lives.

    She has taught thousands how to treat sudden cardiac arrest using AEDs, expanded research on resuscitation and improved international 911 dispatch protocols.

    NANCY SOUTHERN – Nancy Southern of Calgary is the visionary Chair and CEO of ATCO Ltd.  Her significant contributions reach far beyond the world of commerce as she also leads by example on relevant social and community issues.

    GARNETTE SUTHERLAND – Dr. Garnette Sutherland of Calgary is a world-renowned neurosurgeon, professor and health technology innovator. He used space technology to develop neuroArm to make brain surgery more precise and return patients safely to their families. 

    Related information

    • Alberta Order of Excellence

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Chair appointed to lead Senior Salaries Review Body

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Lea Paterson announced as Chair of the Senior Salaries Review Body.

    Today, Thursday 17 October 2024, the Government has announced that Lea Paterson will be the new Chair of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB).

    Lea brings extensive experience from public policy, regulation, HR and financial journalism. She has held a number of senior roles at the Bank of England, including serving as the Bank’s Executive Director of People & Culture, and as the organisation’s first Director of Independent Evaluation. 

    Lea is currently a Board Member at the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, an independent member of Warwick University’s Remuneration Committee, and a Civil Service Commissioner. She also holds a number of voluntary and community roles. 

    As Chair of the SSRB, Lea will provide strong leadership at a senior level and a clear direction of the policy, financial and operational levers that impact on remuneration decisions, especially in the public sector. 

    The SSRB provides independent advice to the Prime Minister and senior ministers on the pay of many of the nation’s top public servants. 

    The SSRB’s remit covers senior civil servants, the judiciary, the senior military, certain senior managers in the NHS, Police and Crime Commissioners and chief police officers.

    This is a Prime Ministerial appointment with Cabinet Office being the sponsoring department. The appointment process for this role was in full accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice.

    The Rt Hon Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: 

    Congratulations to Lea on her appointment as Chair of the Senior Salaries Review Body. 

    This role requires someone with financial expertise, strong leadership skills and dedication to public service, and Lea’s skills and experience across many relevant fields will be invaluable. 

    I wish her the best of luck in her new role.

    Lea Paterson, incoming Chair of the Senior Salaries Review Body, said: 

    I’m delighted to have been appointed as Chair of the Senior Salaries Review Body.  

    I’m looking forward to working with colleagues to deliver independent, evidence-based advice that not only helps to attract and retain great talent for our public services, but also ensures value for money for the taxpayer.   

    I would also like to thank the outgoing Chair Pippa Lambert for her sterling leadership of the SSRB.

    Ends

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Office for Eastern District of Kentucky Observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LEXINGTON, Ky.— The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky commemorates and emphasizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October, by reaffirming its unwavering commitment to supporting survivors, raising awareness, and promoting justice for those affected by domestic violence.

    DVAM serves as a crucial opportunity to shed light on the profound impacts of domestic violence and emphasize the importance of collective action.  Each year, millions of individuals are impacted by intimate partner violence, and far too many families endure the tragic consequences of domestic abuse.  The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that survivors are heard, perpetrators are held accountable, and to strengthening partnerships with communities to prevent domestic violence.

    This year’s commemoration of DVAM is special because it also marks the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.  In 1994, the passage of this landmark, bipartisan legislation transformed the way our nation addresses domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, by increasing protections for survivors, providing critical federal resources to support a coordinated community response to these crimes, and awarding grants at the local, state, territory, Tribal, and national levels.

    “Domestic violence accumulates a massive toll, not only on its victims, but also on the friends, families, and communities that surround them,” said Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  “Home is where people go to feel safe and secure, not where fear, abuse, and violence should engulf their lives.  We remain committed to doing our part to combat this destructive threat, to making our communities safer, and to holding people responsible for these shameful acts of violence and abuse.”

    Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking can have long-lasting impacts and consequences, and survivors in underserved communities are disproportionately impacted due to the lack of resources or barriers to accessing services.  DVAM provides an opportunity to spread awareness about domestic violence and encourage everyone to play a role in ending gender-based violence.

    We also encourage everyone to learn more about domestic violence and take steps to support friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors who may be affected.  By understanding the signs of abuse, providing a safe space for survivors, and connecting them to available resources, we can all play a role in creating safer communities.

    Victims of domestic violence deserve safety, dignity, and justice.  We are committed to prosecuting those who violate federal laws, collaborating with local law enforcement and prosecutors to identify domestic violence offenders who violate federal firearms prohibitions, and ensuring survivors have access to the resources they need for safety and healing.  Together, we can bring hope to those in need and build a future free from domestic violence.  For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month or to access to local resources, please visit https://www.sos.ky.gov/safe-at-home/Pages/Survivor-Resources.aspx

    — END —

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan Issues Press Release Relating to the November 2024 General Election

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA –  U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan announced today that an Assistant U.S. Attorney will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) and lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Department of Justice’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.   The DEO is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with the Department of Justice’s Headquarters in Washington.

    “Every eligible citizen must be free to vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted as part of a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.  “Critical to the preservation of this sacred right is our duty to ensure that election officials and staff, many of whom are elder members of our communities, be permitted to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice performs an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

    U.S. Attorney Buchanan added, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We must all endeavor to guarantee that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise this right if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt or interfere with this right are brought to justice.”

    To respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the District’s AUSA/DEO will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  The DEO can be reached by the public at (404) 581-6001.

    In addition, the FBI will assign special agents to be available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 770-216-3000.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can also be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC via a complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Buchanan. “It is important that anyone aware of specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud makes that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    But please note that in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, you should call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Updated Police Station Representative Register

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Police Station Representative Register (PSRR) is a listing of probationary and accredited representatives maintained by the Legal Aid Agency.

    The LAA used to publish the register on the GOV.UK page on a regular basis but has listened to feedback that whilst useful this only provided a version that was 100 per cent accurate on the day it was published.

    Ongoing management sees representatives join and be suspended from the register on a daily basis so whilst, for example, solicitors could confirm a representative was on the register at time of last publication they were unable to confirm the same was still true prior to instructing them.

    Access the Register

    The register is available via both GOV.UK Standard Crime Contract 2022 and DSCC online

    Further information

    Whilst we hope this change will be seen as beneficial by all stakeholders feedback is welcome along with further suggestions for improvement and can be sent to Sean Haszard.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Orlando Man Indicted For Arson Resulting In Injury At Inter&Co Stadium

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Giovanni Isai Ramirez Reyes (37, Orlando) with arson of a building that led to personal injuries. If convicted, Ramirez Reyes faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 7 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison.

    According to court documents and information provided during a hearing, Ramirez Reyes lit two flares and threw them into the crowd during a soccer match on February 24, 2024, at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The flares produced a larger fire that damaged the stadium and caused burns to a child attending the match.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Orlando Police Department, and the Orlando Fire Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Nate.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hyannis Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Hyannis man was sentenced yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Specifically, the defendant possessed and sold a Chinese SKS .762 caliber rifle.    

    Ryan Diefenbach, 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge William G. Young to six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In July 2024, Diefenbach pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In November 2022, Diefenbach, along with co-defendant Donnell Pina, was indicted by a federal grand jury.

    In September 2021, Diefenbach, and allegedly Pina, sold a Chinese SKS .762 caliber rifle to a confidential informant in Hyannis. Due to previous felony convictions, including prior convictions for carrying a firearm without a license, unlawfully possessing a firearm, possessing a firearm with a defaced serial number and assault with a dangerous weapon, Diefenbach was prohibited from possessing firearms.

    At the time Diefenbach committed the offense, the charge of being a felon in possession provided for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.  

    Pina is scheduled to plead guilty on Nov. 21, 2024.

    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.

    The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Sentencing of Repeat Domestic Violence Offender

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Bosque Farms man has been sentenced to three years in prison for domestic assault by a habitual offender.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, on August 9, 2022, Daniel Vincent Olguin, 38, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta, assaulted his intimate partner by striking her in the head, causing a concussion. The assault occurred on the Isleta Pueblo. Olguin had previously been convicted by the Isleta Tribal Court of aggravated assault against an intimate partner in 2012 and in federal court of assault against an intimate partner in 2016.

    Upon his release from prison, Olguin will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.

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

    The Isleta Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada renews funding for immigration and refugee legal aid services in Manitoba

    Source: Government of Canada News

    October 17, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Department of Justice Canada

    Access to justice is a fundamental value in the Canadian justice system and an essential part of a fair society. It is a priority of the Government of Canada to ensure access to justice for low-income persons and make sure that the Canadian justice system is fair, efficient and accessible and that public confidence in the justice system is maintained.

    On October 17, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, Terry Duguid, on behalf of the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced funding of $1.038 million over three years (2024 – 2027) for Legal Aid Manitoba to provide a range of immigration and refugee legal aid services to eligible persons. It includes:

    • Preparing the Basis of Claims for refugee claimants, a mandatory document for all claimants;
    • Providing legal representation at hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board; and
    • Offering legal assistance for detainees at Immigration Holding Centres.

    Providing this type of legal support helps keep the entire court system running more efficiently for all people in Canada.

    Legal Aid Manitoba receives this renewed funding from Justice Canada’s Legal Aid Program, and through a bilateral Agreement Respecting Immigration and Refugee Legal Aid.  The Legal Aid Program funds the provinces and the territories to deliver legal aid services. This includes criminal legal aid, and immigration and refugee legal aid.

    Legal Aid Manitoba provides free or affordable legal services to low-income adults and youth, groups promoting issues of public concern, and refugee claimants. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Governments strengthening mental health services for international agricultural workers

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Federal-provincial investment will provide new mental health resources

    Oct. 17, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario  –  Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing nearly $1.8 million over 2 years to provide international agricultural workers (IAWs) in Ontario with enhanced access to mental health supports in Spanish, Tagalog, French and English.

    Delivered by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division, in close partnership with its Windsor-Essex and Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk regional branches, the International Agricultural Worker Wellness Program will support IAWs with managing stress, homesickness and isolation. The program will provide referrals to free local services, including recreational activities, primary care, counselling, support groups, in-person workshops, and more.

    The program will launch in early 2025 and be delivered over 2 years, with resources available in Spanish, French and English in year 1, expanding to include Tagalog in year 2. The program will focus on the Windsor-Essex region first and then expand to Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk in year two. Both regions have high populations of IAWs. In the second year, the program will also offer support to farm operators with workshops on how to create safer workplaces.

    This investment recognizes the critical contribution IAWs make in Ontario’s agricultural economy. It builds on the success of the IAW Welcome Centre and the IAW Welcoming Communities Initiative.

    This program is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a 5-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs designed and delivered by the provinces and territories.

    Quotes

    “Working far from home can be tough, and it’s so important that our international agricultural workers have access to the mental health supports they need. Through the IAW Wellness Program, we can better support these workers with tailored programs and services so they can continue to help us deliver top-quality products to Canadians, and the world.”  

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “Ontario respects and appreciates the international agricultural workers who call our province home and who contribute so much to our almost $51 billion agri-food sector. The IAW Wellness Program will help these important workers access the supports and services needed to improve their quality of life and better integrate into our dynamic agri-food workforce of over 871,000 men and women.”

    – Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness

    “International agricultural workers are integral to Ontario’s agriculture industry and food supply, so it’s critical that this population has mental health support while they’re living and working in our province. Since 2022, CMHA’s team at Agriculture Wellness Ontario has been working to reduce mental health stigma and meet the needs of the agricultural community. We’re delighted to work with our branches to offer this new program for international agricultural workers.”

    – Camille Quenneville, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division

    “Mental health care plays a crucial role in supporting the well-being of migrant workers, who often face unique challenges like family separation and cultural transitions. It’s heartening to see the governments of Canada and Ontario develop the IAW Wellness Program. By offering services in their first languages, this initiative ensures that migrant workers feel understood and supported, which is vital for their mental health. This empowers individuals to navigate daily challenges and fosters a more inclusive and compassionate community for everyone. Such efforts are essential for building a society that values the well-being of every migrant worker.”

    – Martin Varela, Chairman, Migrant Worker Community Program

    Quick facts

    •  In 2023, Ontario launched the Virtual Welcome Centre, a web page of resources for IAWs available in English, Spanish and French. It includes information and links about worker rights and responsibilities, adjusting to life in Ontario, health care, human and labour trafficking, and living and working safely in the community. 

    • The IAW Welcoming Communities Initiative, announced in September, supports municipalities and not-for-profits in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for international agricultural and food workers. Eligible activities include introducing or enhancing translation supports and transportation services.   

    • The governments of Canada and Ontario also recently announced a $178,000 expansion of the Farmer Wellness Initiative to include delivery of services in Spanish for Ontario farm workers.

    • For more information about OMAFA programs and services, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC) at 1-877-424-1300 or at ag.info.omafa@ontario.ca.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For media:

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Makena Mahoney
    Minister’s Office
    Makena.Mahoney@ontario.ca

    Meaghan Evans
    Communications Branch
    OMAFRA.media@ontario.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced for Robbery and Intimidation of a Witness by Attempted Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREENSBORO – A New York man was sentenced yesterday in Greensboro, North Carolina, to 35 years in prison after pleading to robbery, firearm, and intimidation charges related to an attempted murder stemming from conduct in the Middle District of North Carolina and the Southern District of New York, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Hairston of the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC).   

    RYAN LEWIS LITTLE, age 40, of New York, was sentenced to a 420-month term of imprisonment and 5 years supervised release by the Honorable William L. Osteen, Jr., United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the MDNC. In addition to prison time, LITTLE was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $56,970.75.

    LITTLE pleaded guilty on May 10, 2024, to interference with commerce by robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), and retaliating against a witness by attempted murder, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1513(a)(1)(B), for conduct occurring in the MDNC. On June 20, 2024, he pleaded guilty to a separate charge for interference with commerce by robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), for incidents occurring in the Southern District of New York.

    According to court records, on April 8, 2022, at approximately 7:00 PM, Greensboro Police Department (GPD) officers responded to a report of attempted armed robbery at the Chemistry Nightclub Food Truck located in the parking lot of 2901 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, NC.  The food truck employee reported that an armed man attempted to rob the food truck at gunpoint. Footage from the food truck’s surveillance cameras showed a man (later identified as LITTLE) walking up the steps of the food truck, pulling out a silver handgun, pointing it at the food truck employee and asking, “Where is the money?” The employee told LITTLE that there was no money. LITTLE then pushed the victim and ran from the food truck.

    The Chemistry Nightclub Food Truck attempted robbery was one in a series of robberies that law enforcement officers had been investigating since March 2022. A witness, Victim-1, spoke with law enforcement as part of the ongoing investigation. In retaliation for speaking with the officers, on the morning of April 12, 2022, LITTLE shot Victim-1 in the face. He then fled North Carolina.

    On April 20, 2022, at approximately 10:30 pm, New York Police Department (NYPD) officers arrived at the scene of a reported robbery at a restaurant. An employee stated that a man entered the restaurant, brandished a silver firearm partially concealed beneath a newspaper, and took approximately $1,500 from the cash register. The employee followed the suspect to a nearby park. While canvassing the area, officers saw LITTLE emerge from the bushes and attempt to flee the area. Officers chased him and he was apprehended moments later with approximately $1,100 cash on him. Officers traced the path LITTLE had fled and recovered a loaded silver pistol.  After his arrest, a witness approached the NYPD officers and told them that shortly after robbing the restaurant LITTLE attempted to carjack him.

    The case was investigated by the Greensboro Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, and Firearms, and New York Police Department. The case was prosecuted by MDNC Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole DuPré and Lindsey Freeman, SDNY Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Bodansky, and former MDNC Assistant United States Attorney Tanner Kroeger.   

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Indicted For Production Of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brayan Garcia-Vazquez, age 24, of Havelock, North Carolina, was indicted on October 16, 2024, by a federal grand jury on one count of production of child pornography.

    According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that Garcia-Vazquez took video of himself engaging in sexual intercourse with a minor victim on April 5, 2023, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.

    The case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera 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 this offense is thirty 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 are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: François Alabrune, candidate for judge at the International Court of Justice in 2026

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    France presents the candidacy of Mr François Alabrune for the position of judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027-2036 term. This election will be held in New York in November 2026, both at the Security Council and at the United Nations General Assembly.

    In accordance with Article 4 of the Statute of the Court, the French candidate was chosen by the French national group in the Permanent Court of Arbitration, based on demanding selection criteria.

    As required by the Statute, Mr Alabrune has recognized competence in international law and all the qualities, namely rigour, independence, impartiality and integrity, required to serve as a judge at the International Court of Justice. Moreover, he is fully bilingual in French and English, both the Court’s official languages.

    Mr Alabrune’s candidacy is in line with France’s constant support for the International Court of Justice since its creation in 1945. At a time when the international legal order faces major challenges, France’s commitment to the Court is rooted in the fundamental contribution of the principal United Nations judicial organ to the peaceful settlement of international disputes and to the clarification of the rules of international law. France is determined to do its utmost to help the Court fulfil its duties and address the many challenges facing it.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Alabama Man Arrested for Role in Securities and Exchange Commission X Account Hack

    Source: US State of Vermont

    An Alabama man was arrested by the FBI this morning in Athens, Alabama, on charges related to the January hack of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    According to court documents, on or about Jan. 9, Eric Council Jr., 25, of Athens, allegedly conspired with others to take unauthorized control of the SEC’s X account and, in the name of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, prematurely announced the approval of bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds. Immediately following the false announcement, the price of bitcoin increased by more than $1,000 per bitcoin. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over its X account and confirmed that the announcement was unauthorized and the result of a security breach. Following this corrective disclosure, the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000 per bitcoin.

    The conspirators gained control of the SEC’s X account through an unauthorized Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swap, allegedly carried out by Council. A SIM swap refers to the process of fraudulently inducing a cell phone carrier to reassign a cell phone number from the legitimate subscriber or user’s SIM card to a SIM card controlled by a criminal actor. As part of the scheme, Council and the co-conspirators allegedly created a fraudulent identification document in the victim’s name, which Council used to impersonate the victim; took over the victim’s cellular telephone account; and accessed the online social media account linked to the victim’s cellular phone number for the purpose of accessing the SEC’s X account and generating the fraudulent post in the name of SEC Chairman Gensler.

    “The indictment alleges that Eric Council Jr. unlawfully accessed the SEC’s account on X by using the stolen identity of a person who had access to the account to take over their cellphone number,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Council’s co-conspirators then allegedly used this unauthorized access to the X account to falsely announce that the SEC had approved listing bitcoin ETFs, which caused the price of bitcoin to rise by $1,000 and then fall by $2,000. Council’s indictment underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to countering cybercrime, especially when it threatens the integrity of financial markets.”

    “These SIM swapping schemes, where fraudsters trick service providers into giving them control of unsuspecting victims’ phones, can result in devastating financial losses to victims and leaks of sensitive personal and private information,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Here, the conspirators allegedly used their illegal access to a phone to manipulate financial markets. Through indictments like this, we will hold accountable those who commit these serious crimes.”

    “The FBI works to identify, disrupt, and investigate cyber-enabled frauds, including SIM swapping,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David E. Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “SIM swapping is a method bad actors exploit to illicitly access sensitive information of an individual or company, with the intent of perpetrating a crime. In this case, the unauthorized actor allegedly utilized SIM swapping to manipulate the global financial market. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners around the country and globe to hold accountable those who break U.S. laws.”

    “This criminal indictment demonstrates our commitment to holding bad actors accountable for undermining the integrity of the financial markets,” said Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey of the SEC.

    A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment on Oct. 10 charging Council with one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Washington Field Office and SEC Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

    For more information on SIM swapping, go to www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240411.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southeast N.B. — 13 vehicles towed, 224 tickets issued following traffic enforcement operation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The New Brunswick RCMP conducted recent traffic enforcement operation in Southeast New Brunswick, that resulted in 13 vehicles being towed and 224 traffic violations being issued.

    The operation was conducted on October 10, 11 and 12, 2024, by members of the RCMP’s Tactical Traffic Enforcement Unit (TTEU). The operation focused on speeding, as well as distracted driving and proper use of seatbelts.

    In total, 13 vehicles were towed and 224 charges were issued under the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act, including 145 tickets for speeding. Of the speeding tickets issued, 26 were for speeding over 25 km/hr over the posted speed limit, one for speeding over 50 km/hr over the posted speed limit, and one for speeding in a school zone by more than 25 km/hr over the posted speed limit. The vehicle speeding in excess of 50km/hr of the posted speed limit was towed and impounded for seven days.

    Furthermore, 79 tickets for various infractions were issued, including 10 tickets for using a hand-operated electronic device while driving, 19 tickets for not wearing a seatbelt, and 20 tickets for an expired vehicle registration.

    Police also arrested one individual on a warrant of arrest. Two individuals were arrested for driving while impaired, and two other individuals were issued short-term roadside suspensions. A number of warnings were also issued.

    “We want to help keep New Brunswickers safe behind the wheel by focusing our efforts on proper use of seatbelts, speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving. These are the major factors that contribute to serious and fatal collisions” said Sgt. Ghislain David with the TTEU. “We cannot stress it enough: Buckle up, drive sober, follow the speed limit, and put down your phone.”

    The RCMP’s TTEU conducts regular, targeted traffic enforcement on roadways throughout the province with the goals of improving road safety, educating motorists about traffic laws, and to reduce serious injury and fatal collisions.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gun Violence in New York Has Declined to Lowest on Record

    Source: US State of New York

    October 17, 2024

    Albany, NY

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new data that shows reported gun violence in New York State is at its lowest point since the state started tracking this data in 2006. Shooting incidents with injury declined 26 percent through September 2024 compared to the same nine-month period last year, as reported by the 28 police departments outside of New York City that participate in New York State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative. A total of 170 fewer individuals were injured by gun violence in Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative communities, with significant decreases in shooting incidents with injury reported in Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, Utica and on Long Island. Since taking office, Governor Hochul has secured record-level funding for local law enforcement and district attorneys’ offices, from $30 million during State Fiscal Year 2022 to $392 million in the current fiscal year. At the same time, the New York State Police budget has increased by 30 percent, allowing the agency to hire and train additional troopers, and significantly expand its support to local law enforcement agencies to address major crimes, gun violence and retail theft. Additionally, Governor Hochul directed state landmarks to be lit purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

    “Public safety is my number one priority, and New York is leading the nation with proven initiatives that are making communities safer,” Governor Hochul said. “Our record investments in law enforcement and in critical programs like the GIVE initiative are making a real difference in every corner of our state, and my administration will continue fighting to keep New Yorkers safe.”

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    The 26 percent decline reflects 476 shooting incidents with injury from January 1 through September 30, 2024, compared to 646 incidents from January 1, through September 30, 2023, and represents the fewest reported since the state began tracking this data in 2006. At that time, only 17 police departments reported this data and received state funding to reduce gun and violent crime. The Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative (GIVE) provides nearly $36 million to 28 police departments, as well as district attorneys’ offices, probation departments and sheriffs’ offices, in 21 counties outside of New York City. The following police departments reported particularly significant declines:

    • Utica: 52 percent
    • Troy: 48 percent
    • Niagara Falls: 40 percent
    • Rochester: 38 percent
    • Nassau County, Hempstead, Suffolk County (Long Island): 36 percent
    • Syracuse: 29 percent

    Shooting incidents with injury, shooting victims and shooting homicide data for each of the 28 police departments participating in GIVE are available on the State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) website. In addition, the 476 shooting incidents with injury reported by these 28 police departments are the fewest reported since 2006.

    In addition to the collective decrease in gun violence in GIVE communities, the New York City Police Department reported a nearly 9 percent (723 v. 791) decrease in shooting incidents through Oct. 13, 2024.

    Overall crime outside of New York City also has declined. The 57 counties outside of the five boroughs collectively reported a 9 percent decrease in index crime during the first five months of 2024, the most recent data available, when compared to the same time in 2023. There are seven index crime categories that are used to gauge overall crime trends: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. The most significant declines were reported in motor vehicle theft (-27 percent), followed by rape (-14 percent), and murder (-12 percent) when comparing January 1, through May 31, 2024, to that five-month period last year. The NYPD also reported a 2 percent decrease in crime complaints through Oct. 13, 2024.

    Earlier this month, Governor Hochul also announced another record-level state investment to further improve public safety: $35 million to strengthen the law enforcement response to intimate partner abuse and domestic violence and better address the needs of survivors. DCJS will administer $5 million to the five New York City District Attorneys’ Offices, and $23 million to law enforcement agencies and service providers in 20 counties outside of the five boroughs to implement the Statewide Targeted Reduction in Intimate Partner Violence (STRIVE) initiative. Up to $7 million will allow the State to provide training and technical assistance, risk assessment tools, and investigative support to participating agencies and improve the domestic violence reduction efforts of state agencies.

    STRIVE is modeled after GIVE and plans developed by participating counties must use evidence-based strategies and ensure that community members and programs that serve victims and survivors are actively involved in strategy selection and implementation. One or more of the following strategies must be used: domestic violence high-risk team model, lethality assessment program or intimate partner violence intervention.

    Our record investments in law enforcement and in critical programs like the GIVE initiative are making a real difference in every corner of our state”

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rosanna Rosado said, “These reductions in gun violence show that our evidence-based approaches like our street outreach programs, our GIVE Initiative, hot-spots policing and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design are effective. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul, our community partners and law enforcement across the state for investing in our communities and for the work they do to improve public safety for all New Yorkers.”

    New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Over the years, law enforcement has learned that we are most effective when we work together. Combating gun violence is no small matter and we are fighting this battle on many fronts along with our local, state, and federal partners. The decrease in numbers shows progress is being made and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued support of these integral efforts to tackle gun violence.”

    New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens said, “Today’s announcement comes as we mark Purple Thursday here in New York, a day to show support for survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The color purple has long been a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending violence. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for standing with survivors and for your continued efforts in finding innovative, effective ways to combat domestic violence and keep all New Yorker’s safe.”

    New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, “We at OVS are proud of the work we do to help prevent violence and to support victims and survivors of crime and their families, including funding victim assistance programs in communities across the state and reimbursing eligible individuals affected by crime for out-of-pocket expenses such as medical care, counseling, lost wages and funeral arrangements. It is great news that our state’s gun violence numbers are decreasing, and we thank Governor Hochul for her successful leadership and her steadfast commitment to supporting survivors.”

    NYS Troopers PBA President Charles W. Murphy said, “On this day on which we celebrate the 215th New York State Police Graduation, the New York State Troopers PBA appreciates Governor Hochul’s funding of two additional police academies so that we increase our membership numbers to respond to the needs of all New Yorkers.”

    NYC PBA President Patrick Hendry said, “The road to a safer New York starts with strong support for police officers on the streets. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and all of our state partners to tackle the challenges facing New York City police officers.”

    New York State Police Investigators Association President Tim Dymond said, “We appreciate Governor Hochul’s support for the New York State Police. The additional funding and resources that she has provided over the last two years have made a positive impact on our members and their ability to do their jobs. We look forward to continue working with her and her staff on improving recruitment and finding a solution to retain our most senior experienced members. Together we are making progress on these issues and ensuring that the New York State Police remains as the top law enforcement agency in the country.”

    Since Governor Hochul took office, funding for the State Police has increased by $264 million (30 percent) to support additional staffing and an increase in police services. The agency’s budget for FY 2025 is $1.14 billion. This funding supports the hiring and training of nearly 1,000 new Troopers and allows the State Police to address major crime and support local police agencies. This includes $25 million to target and retail theft, and expansion of Community Stabilization Units, which use a multi-pronged approach to interdicting illegal firearms and provide local police agencies with resources to proactively address surges in crime. Other programs that are part of the Governor’s comprehensive plan to improve public safety include:

    • $21 million for the SNUG Street Outreach program, which uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source, interrupting transmission, and treating individuals, families and communities affected by violence. Community-based organizations and hospitals operate the program in 14 communities and employ nearly 200 outreach workers, social workers and case managers. Outreach workers are credible messengers who have lost loved ones to violence or have prior justice system involvement. They respond to shootings to prevent retaliation, detect conflicts and resolve them peacefully before they lead to additional violence. Social workers and case managers work with individuals affected by community violence, including friends and family. DCJS also supports New York City’s violence interruption efforts, providing $5 million for its Crisis Management System (CMS) so it can bring those programs to scale.
    • $18 million for the state’s unique network of Crime Analysis Centers, which analyze, compile and distribute information, intelligence and data to local law enforcement agencies statewide. No other state has anything similar and the centers — operated in partnership with local law enforcement agencies in 10 counties and New York City — are hubs of state and local efforts to deter, investigate and solve crimes. Last year alone, staff handled more than 90,000 requests for assistance, helping agencies solve everything from retail theft to murders.
    • Up to $20 million for Project RISE, a unique funding model that convenes community stakeholders to respond to gun violence, invest in solutions, sustain positive programs and empower communities. In its first year, the initiative supported 99 organizations, including 74 small, grassroots programs, many of which had never received state support for their work. Programs and services funded by RISE include academic support, employment services, mentoring and delinquency/violence prevention.
    • $10.4 million for the Supervision Against Violent Engagement (SAVE) program, overseen by the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. The program uses enhanced supervision, including active GPS monitoring; intelligence and data gathering; and cross-jurisdictional cooperation to prevent gun violence, violent crime and domestic violence among the most high-risk individuals returning to Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

    Governor Hochul also directed landmarks to be lit purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The landmarks to be lit include:

    • One World Trade Center
    • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
    • Kosciuszko Bridge
    • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
    • State Education Building
    • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
    • Empire State Plaza
    • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
    • Niagara Falls
    • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
    • Albany International Airport Gateway
    • MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
    • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
    • Moynihan Train Hall
    • Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Bowman, 30+ Lawmakers Urge Biden to Continue Bold Executive Action to Lower Housing Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 17, 2024
    “We strongly encourage you to cement your legacy by addressing one of the most pressing economic issues of our time.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) led a letter with over 30  lawmakers to President Joe Biden praising him for his actions to confront the housing crisis and proposing additional executive actions to lower the cost of housing.
    “Under your leadership, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to protect renters from predatory corporate landlords and to make home purchases and refinancing more affordable,” wrote the lawmakers. “But there is even more that can be done using executive agencies’ existing statutory authority.”
    The lawmakers recommend the Administration and federal agencies take the following actions:
    Price Gouging Protections: In order to safeguard tenants from rising rents at the hands of corporate landlord who have been caught price gouging their tenants, FHFA can condition all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac multifamily loans on a set of price gouging protections, source of income protections, anti-eviction regulations, and habitability and accessibility improvements.
    Tackling Junk Fees: To address the hidden junk fees that can create thousands of dollars in additional costs for renters and homeowners, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should finalize its proposed rule to ban junk fees and continue to investigate unfair and deceptive practices by corporate landlords. Additionally, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) should address anticompetitive closing costs and junk fees, lowering closing costs for home mortgages and making homeownership more accessible.
    Lowering Credit Report Costs: As the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) enjoys a near monopoly in the credit scoring market, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should investigate whether the company is violating antitrust law, and the CFPB should explore potential remedies to exploding credit reporting costs, including a cap on fees that credit reporting agencies can charge and interoperability requirements that would allow consumers to move their credit scores without new fees.
    Promoting Housing Development on Federal Property: Federal agencies can work to reform Title V of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance program, so that federal property can more easily be leased by affordable housing providers who are serving people experiencing homelessness.
    Right now, the United States is facing a severe affordable housing crisis, with an estimated gap of 7.3 million housing units affordable and available to the lowest-income households.
    Already, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken bold steps to protect tenants from predatory corporate landlords, including the Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, rent-hike protections in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties, and support for anti-price-gouging measures in properties owned by corporate landlords. The Administration has also worked to increase housing supply, including through grants to incentivize the production of affordable housing and more.
    “We strongly encourage you to cement your legacy by addressing one of the most pressing economic issues of our time and take swift action to create more housing and lower housing costs for Americans everywhere,” concluded the lawmakers.
    The letter is also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-Texas), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), James P. McGovern (D-Mass.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.).
    This letter was endorsed by the Tenant Union Federation, National Housing Law Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Homelessness Law Center, and Americans for Financial Reform.
    Senator Warren has long led the fight to make housing more affordable for families and has held companies accountable for their role in exacerbating housing costs:
    In September 2024, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and other lawmakers demanded answers from corporate landlords in Massachusetts allegedly using rent-hiking algorithms.
    In August 2024, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), sent letters to each of the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks) urging them to contribute at least 20% of their net income to affordable housing and other critical community grant programs.
    In July 2024, Senators Warren and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) reintroduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, the landmark legislation to tackle the housing crisis, bring down costs for renters and buyers, and help working families everywhere find a decent place to live at a decent price. 
    In July 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Sara Jacobs led Senator Tim Kaine, Senator Jon Ossoff, Representative Ro Khanna, and Representative James Moylan in calling out the Department of Defense (DoD) for failing to protect military families living in military housing operated by private companies under the Military Housing Privatization Initiative (MHPI).
    In June 2024, Senator Warren sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) urging the agency to address our country’s affordable housing crisis by reforming the broken Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System.
    In May 2024, Senator Warren reintroduced the Public Housing Emergency Response Act to address the estimated $70 billion backlog of maintenance and repairs in our nation’s public housing, which would allow tenants to live in safe conditions and ensure that, as we fight to end the housing crisis by expanding the supply of affordable housing, we are not losing existing units to disrepair.
    In April 2024, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, U.S. Senator Warren called out the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBs) for failing to deliver on their mission to provide affordable housing as the country faces a housing crisis.
    In January 2024, Senator Warren, John Hickenlooper, Jacky Rosen, and Sheldon Whitehouse sent a letter to Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell, calling on the Fed to reverse its troubling interest rate hikes that have driven mortgage rates to 20-year highs and have put affordable housing out of reach for too many Americans.
    In March 2023, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Tina Smith, and Bernie Sanders sent a letter to Jonathan Kanter, Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice (DOJ) calling for the DOJ to investigate YieldStar following new findings from their investigation of RealPage’s YieldStar product.
    In January 2023, Senator Warren, and Representative Jamaal Bowman led a letter with 48 lawmakers, urging President Biden to use every tool he has to address rent inflation, end corporate price gouging in the rental market, and ensure that renters and people experiencing homelessness across this country are stably housed this winter.
    In November 2022,  Senators Warren, Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) sent a letter to RealPage CEO Dana Jones, expressing concern about RealPage’s algorithmic pricing software, YieldStar, and its role in driving rising rents and exacerbating inflation.
    In August 2022, at a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA) Committee  hearing, Senator Warren called out corporate landlords’ growing role in the rental market and emphasized the need for a Tenant Protection Bureau to hold corporate landlords accountable and protect renters from extreme rent hikes, illegal eviction, and other predatory practices.
    In May 2022, Senators Warren and Reed sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Marcia Fudge, calling on HUD to preserve homeownership affordability for American families as Wall Street firms expand their activity in the housing market.
    In March 2022, at a BHUA Committee hearing, Senator Warren called out Wall Street’s role in worsening the housing affordability crisis for seniors by buying up manufactured home communities
    In February 2022, Senator Warren called out private equity firms and other big investors for exacerbating inflation and locking families out of affordable housing opportunities. 
    In January 2022, Senator Warren sent letters to the CEOs of three private equity-backed firms—Progress Residential, American Homes 4 Rent, and Invitation Homes —calling out their growing activity in the housing market that has resulted in rent hikes and unaffordable homes for first-time buyers.
    In August 2021, during a hearing exchange with Senator Warren, a Department of Housing and Urban Development nominee committed to consider changes that facilitate sales of distressed homes to homeowners, not private equity firms.
    In July 2021, Senator Warren called on large corporate landlords to avoid needless evictions as the CDC eviction moratorium neared expiration. 
    In May 2021, at a hearing, Senator Warren made the case for her American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, which would create a new housing innovation grant program to reduce exclusionary local zoning laws.
    On April 2021, Senator Warren and Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.) reintroduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act to bring down the costs for renters and buyers, level the playing field so working families can find a decent place to live at a decent price, reduce exclusionary zoning laws, and take a step towards addressing the effects of decades of housing discrimination on communities of color.
    In May 2019, Senator Warren and then-Representative Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) wrote to the private equity firms behind some of the country’s largest manufactured housing communities to request information about their use of predatory practices to boost profits in the communities they own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ada County Man Arrested for Possession and Distribution of Child Sexual Exploitation Material

    Source: US State of Idaho

    [BOISE] – Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested fifty-four-year-old Brandon Taro on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024, for four (4) counts of possession of child sexual exploitation material and one (1) count of distribution of child sexual exploitation material after a search warrant was served at his residence.
    “I am grateful for the hard work of our investigators and prosecutors, and for the dedication of our partner ICAC agencies across the state,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Protecting kids from sexual abuse and exploitation is a top priority for all of us.  Our children deserve to be safe from these horrible crimes and predators.”
    Agencies that assisted the ICAC Task Force were the Meridian Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.
    Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
    The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children.
    Parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to announce support for Stratford Waterfront

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Member of Parliament for Cardigan, will make an announcement on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

    Connor Burton
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
    Connor.Burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada recognizes Peter Henderson Bryce as a person of national historic significance

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Peter Henderson Bryce played a leading role in the development of standards and codes for public health practices across Canada.

    Peter Henderson Bryce played a leading role in the development of standards and codes for public health practices across Canada.

    October 17, 2024                                  Gatineau, QC                              Parks Canada

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the designation of Peter Henderson Bryce (1853–1932) as a person of national historic significance under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration. 

    Born in 1853 in what is now Prince Edward County, Ontario, Bryce obtained four university degrees between 1876 and 1886 at the University of Toronto, studying groundbreaking innovations in bacteriology and becoming a medical doctor. Dr. Bryce entered the public service in 1882 as Secretary for the Board of Public Health of Ontario, where he led vital work to advance public health practices, such as implementing protocols for inspecting sanitary conditions and coordinating efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases. 

    Appointed Chief Medical Officer for the departments of the Interior and of Indian Affairs in 1904, Dr. Bryce helped guide immigration policy by using medical surveys to assess the health of recent immigrants. He also co-wrote legislation that transformed the relationship and responsibility that the Canadian government had with its residents regarding health.  At Indian Affairs, Bryce persistently called attention to the fatal consequences of tuberculosis in Indian Residential Schools, advocacy that was largely ignored by his superiors.

    The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada’s past and present . 

                                                                                                        -30-

    “Dr. Bryce’s legacy awakens Canadians to the many Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples who raised the alarm throughout the history of residential schools. As Saturday Night Magazine (November 23, 1907) wrote of Bryce’s report:

    [t]he protests of medical officers buried in blue books and the complaints of missionaries lost in pigeonholes – unless public opinion takes the question up and forces it to the front. Then Parliament will show a quick interest, pigeonholes will give forth their dusty contents, medical officers will have a wealth of suggestions, and the scandalous procession of Indian children to the school and on to the cemetery may possibly be stopped.

    Our best outcome in honouring Dr. Bryce is to force to the front the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Women and Girls Calls to Justice. Those involved in residential schools knew better, and too great of a number did not do better. We can change that today – if we learn from the past.”

    Dr. Cindy Blackstock
    Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society

    • Peter Henderson Bryce played a leading role in the advancement and application of medical knowledge on germ theory and preventing the spread of communicable diseases as Secretary of the Board of Public Health for Ontario (1882–1904) and as Chief Medical Officer in both the departments of the Interior (1904–1921) and of Indian Affairs (1904–1914). 

    • While in his role as Secretary for the Board of Public Health of Ontario, Dr. Bryce co-wrote the 1884 Ontario Public Health Act, innovative legislation that influenced regulatory health codes in the country.

    • Dr. Bryce’s appointment as Chief Medical Officer for the departments of the Interior and of Indian Affairs coincided with a national policy to increase immigration to the country’s northwestern territories and new-forming provinces. Bryce was responsible for ensuring that new immigrants met early 20th-century Canadian standards for good health.

    • The designation process under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, more than 2,260 designations have been made nationwide. To nominate a person, place or historic event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://parks.canada.ca/culture/designation/proposer-nominate.

    • Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked Canada’s history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration and that these important stories are shared with Canadians.

    • Parks Canada is committed to working with Canadians in our efforts to tell broader, more inclusive stories in the places that it manages. In support of this goal, the Framework for History and Commemoration outlines a new, comprehensive, and engaging approach to sharing Canada’s history through diverse perspectives, including shedding light on tragic and difficult periods of Canada’s past.

    Hermine Landry
    Press Secretary      
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    873-455-3714
    hermine.landry@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alabama Man Arrested for Role in Securities and Exchange Commission X Account Hack

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    An Alabama man was arrested by the FBI this morning in Athens, Alabama, on charges related to the January hack of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    According to court documents, on or about Jan. 9, Eric Council Jr., 25, of Athens, allegedly conspired with others to take unauthorized control of the SEC’s X account and, in the name of SEC Chair Gary Gensler, prematurely announced the approval of bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds. Immediately following the false announcement, the price of bitcoin increased by more than $1,000 per bitcoin. Shortly after this unauthorized post, the SEC regained control over its X account and confirmed that the announcement was unauthorized and the result of a security breach. Following this corrective disclosure, the value of BTC decreased by more than $2,000 per bitcoin.

    The conspirators gained control of the SEC’s X account through an unauthorized Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) swap, allegedly carried out by Council. A SIM swap refers to the process of fraudulently inducing a cell phone carrier to reassign a cell phone number from the legitimate subscriber or user’s SIM card to a SIM card controlled by a criminal actor. As part of the scheme, Council and the co-conspirators allegedly created a fraudulent identification document in the victim’s name, which Council used to impersonate the victim; took over the victim’s cellular telephone account; and accessed the online social media account linked to the victim’s cellular phone number for the purpose of accessing the SEC’s X account and generating the fraudulent post in the name of SEC Chairman Gensler.

    “The indictment alleges that Eric Council Jr. unlawfully accessed the SEC’s account on X by using the stolen identity of a person who had access to the account to take over their cellphone number,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Council’s co-conspirators then allegedly used this unauthorized access to the X account to falsely announce that the SEC had approved listing bitcoin ETFs, which caused the price of bitcoin to rise by $1,000 and then fall by $2,000. Council’s indictment underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to countering cybercrime, especially when it threatens the integrity of financial markets.”

    “These SIM swapping schemes, where fraudsters trick service providers into giving them control of unsuspecting victims’ phones, can result in devastating financial losses to victims and leaks of sensitive personal and private information,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “Here, the conspirators allegedly used their illegal access to a phone to manipulate financial markets. Through indictments like this, we will hold accountable those who commit these serious crimes.”

    “The FBI works to identify, disrupt, and investigate cyber-enabled frauds, including SIM swapping,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David E. Geist of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “SIM swapping is a method bad actors exploit to illicitly access sensitive information of an individual or company, with the intent of perpetrating a crime. In this case, the unauthorized actor allegedly utilized SIM swapping to manipulate the global financial market. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners around the country and globe to hold accountable those who break U.S. laws.”

    “This criminal indictment demonstrates our commitment to holding bad actors accountable for undermining the integrity of the financial markets,” said Inspector General Deborah Jeffrey of the SEC.

    A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia returned an indictment on Oct. 10 charging Council with one count of conspiracy to commit aggravated identity theft and access device fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Washington Field Office and SEC Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Ashley Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Trial Attorney Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

    For more information on SIM swapping, go to http://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2024/PSA240411.

    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 –