NewzIntel.com

Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas Adds 331 New Immigration Cases

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO –United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 331 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from June 6 through 12.

    Among the new cases, Guatemalan national Geremias Ambrocio-Vicente was arrested for illegal re-entry less than four miles west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry in El Paso on June 8. Ambrocio-Vicente is a felon with multiple convictions including a 2020 conviction in Albany, New York for rape, and an illegal re-entry conviction in 2022 in Rio Grande City. He was previously deported on July 13, 2022, through New Orleans, Louisiana.

    The El Paso Division also filed multiple cases for charges of transporting or harboring illegal aliens. Miguel Angel Enriquez-Ramirez is a Mexican national who, according to an affidavit, admitted to working for the Transnational Criminal Organization La Linea. On June 9, he was arrested during an immigration inspection conducted by U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations at an El Paso residence. During the inspection, agents allegedly encountered a total of nine individuals—eight of whom who were determined to be citizens of Mexico, one a citizen of Guatemala, and all illegally present in the United States. The affidavit alleges that Enriquez-Ramirez admitted to getting paid $600.00 per week to harbor illegal aliens at the apartment and had been harboring between eight and 12 illegal aliens since arriving at the apartment earlier this year.

    Mexican national Ranferi Alonso-Osorio was arrested for allegedly picking up several illegal aliens in a pickup truck near the International Boundary fence and transporting them further into the U.S. Alonso-Osorio was pulled over by Texas Department of Public Safety, after which, the DPS troopers and partnered USBP agents allegedly observed seven individuals flee from the vehicle. A criminal complaint alleges that five of the individuals were quickly detained and the sixth was located and detained shortly after. The seventh individual, Alonso-Osorio, was allegedly located inside the recycling bin in the backyard of a residence. The complaint alleges that Alonso-Osorio admitted to picking up and transporting the illegal aliens and that he would be paid $50 for each alien he picked up. He also allegedly claimed to have picked up illegal aliens on about 15 previous occasions and believed he had picked up about 30 illegal aliens in total.

    In Del Rio, Salvadoran national Alberto De Jesus Moran-Mejia was arrested by USBP agents for illegal re-entry. Moran-Mejia is a twice convicted felon, with an illegal re-entry conviction in 2010 and an assault on a law enforcement officer in 2024, which coincided with a DWI conviction. He has been deported five times, the last one being to El Salvador on Aug. 30, 2024, through Washington DC.

    Mexican national Luis Cesar Carmona-Lopez is also charged with illegal re-entry, having been deported six times—the last one being to Mexico on Dec. 21, 2024, through Del Rio. Carmona-Lopez has been previously convicted for illegal re-entry felonies three times, and had also been found to have violated the terms of his felony probation in August 2024.

    Marlon Catalino Diaz-Flores, a Honduran national, was arrested in Eagle Pass and charged with illegal re-entry. He was recently removed for the fourth time on March 16 through El Paso, after being convicted in January for illegal re-entry.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Trinitarios Gang Leader Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Triple Shooting in Queens

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant, the Leader of the “OZP” set of the Trinitarios, Orchestrated a Months-Long Conspiracy to Murder Gang Rivals

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Pedro Serrano, also known as “Papo,” the leader of the Ozone Park (or “OZP”) set of the Trinitarios street gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano to 183 months in prison for carrying out a June 29, 2021 shooting that injured three victims.  The shooting was part of a long-running conspiracy to murder members of a rival Trinitarios gang set.  Serrano pleaded guilty in March 2024 to assault in-aid-of racketeering and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

    Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

    “Serrano was ruthlessly committed to a dangerous criminal enterprise, and he and his co-conspirators shot multiple victims in furtherance of a senseless gang rivalry to advance his enterprise,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Such warfare jeopardizes public safety and underscores the importance of my Office’s mission to eradicate violent gangs from our communities.”

    Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department for their work and assistance on the case.

    According to court filings, Serrano, along with other members of the gang, engaged in a series of violent feuds with rivals, including rival sets within the Trinitarios.  Beginning in at least 2021, disputes arose between OZP and other sets of Trinitarios from Queens and Brooklyn, including the Southside set, resulting in back-and-forth shootings between sets.  On June 29, 2021, Serrano carried out a retaliatory shooting—while driving through a residential neighborhood in Queens—targeting Southside members.

    Serrano enlisted fellow OZP members—including co-defendant Albert Santana-Fernandez, also known as “Pipa,” a Pennsylvania-based member of OZP—to help attack OZP rivals.  After departing from Serrano’s house, the co-conspirators drove around until they located a rival group of Trinitarios on 77th Street near Jamaica Avenue near the Queens-Brooklyn border.  Serrano and Santana-Fernandez were armed with firearms and after locating their rivals, fired shots at them from their moving vehicle.  At least 13 shell casings were recovered at the scene, and three victims were wounded—one of whom sustained a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Santana-Fernandez pleaded guilty to his role in the shooting in October 2024 and is awaiting sentencing.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States  Attorneys Lindsey R. Oken and Benjamin Weintraub are in charge of the prosecution.

    The Defendants:

    PEDRO SERRANO (also known as “Papo”)
    Age: 24
    Brooklyn, NY

    ALBERT SANTANA-FERNANDEZ (also known as “Pipa”)
    Age: 27
    Philadelphia, PA

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-28 (ENV)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minnesota Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Xa Xiong, 32, St. Paul, Minnesota, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Xiong pled guilty to this charge on February 21, 2025.

    In July 2024, investigators received information from a confidential source that a large quantity of methamphetamine was being stored inside a storage unit in Eau Claire. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the storage unit and found a backpack with about six pounds of methamphetamine inside, ultimately linked to Xiong. On July 26, 2024, Xiong sold approximately one pound of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer in Menomonie, Wisconsin. A week later, Xiong met up with the same undercover officer to sell the officer two pounds of methamphetamine and Xiong was arrested during the attempted delivery.

    At Xiong’s sentencing, Judge Conley expressed concern over the large quantity of drugs the defendant was distributing. Judge Conley remarked that it was far beyond what was necessary to support a personal drug habit.

    The charges against Xiong were the result of an investigation conducted by the West Central Drug Task Force, Eau Claire Police Department, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the case. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney William Levins prosecuted the case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Couple Arrested For Stealing More Than $1.7 Million Dollars In COVID Relief Funds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the indictment and arrests of Earlisha Louis (44, Newnan, Georgia) and Somoza Louis (44, Newnan, Georgia) for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud related to COVID-19 relief funds. If convicted, each faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each count. Earlisha Louis is also charged with two counts of illegal monetary transactions. Each of those counts carry a maximum penalty of 3 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies the pair that the United States intends to forfeit a residence and $1,705,553.80, which are alleged to be traceable to the proceeds of the offense.

    According to the indictment, between April 2020 and June 2021, Earlisha and Somoza Louis devised a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration by submitting multiple false and fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications. These programs were some of the sources of economic relief provided for by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. After receiving one of the loans, Earlisha Louis transferred more than $10,000 of the fraud proceeds between her accounts. 

    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 Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Merrilyn E. Hoenemeyer.         

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

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by contacting the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven defendants charged with trafficking drugs from Lower 48 to Alaska

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned two unrelated indictments last month charging seven defendants with trafficking drugs from California and Nevada to Alaska for distribution.

    “These cases are a reminder that our office takes seriously the threat of drug traffickers targeting Alaska, and we will be relentless in working with our law enforcement partners in stopping the flow of dangerous drugs to keep Alaskans safe,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska.

    U.S. v. Miles et al.

    According to court documents, beginning in at least March 2024 and continuing through February 2025, Kinarla Miles, 67, of Highland, California, Jerome Larue, 51, of Juneau, and Edie Seslar, 60, of Juneau, allegedly conspired with each other to traffic meth to Alaska and knowingly and intentionally attempted to possess meth with intent to distribute it in Alaska.

    During the same offense period, Miles, Larue, Seslar and Travis Lind, 38, of Juneau, also allegedly conspired to launder money from their drug trafficking activity.

    Miles, Larue and Seslar face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for their drug trafficking charges. Lind faces up to 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy.

    The USPIS Juneau Domicile, Juneau Police Department and Alaska State Troopers, as part of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task Force (SEACAD), are investigating the case, with assistance from the USPIS San Bernadino Domicile.

    U.S. v. Rodgers et al.

    According to court documents, beginning in at least September 2024 and continuing through March 2025, Christian Rodgers, 33, of Kenai, Helmut Mey, 37, of Las Vegas, and Jonhatan Lau-Osuna, 37, of Las Vegas, conspired with each other to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl in Alaska.

    Rodgers is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. At the time of the alleged conduct, Rodgers had two prior felony convictions for misconduct involving controlled substances and misconduct involving weapons in Alaska Superior Court, Kenai.

    Mey is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of attempted possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Lau-Osuna is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

    If convicted, all three defendants face between 10 years to life in prison.

    The charges are a result of an investigation conducted by the USPIS Anchorage Domicile, FBI Anchorage Field Office, and Alaska State Troopers through the Alaska High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Initiative’s Southcentral Area-Wide Narcotics (SCAN) team, with assistance from the Anchorage Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Caille Petursson is prosecuting these cases, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Central District of California, District of Nevada and District of Idaho.

    These cases were brought as part of the Alaska Parcel Interdiction Initiative, a statewide partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Alaska State Troopers and other local law enforcement to disrupt the flow of dangerous narcotics into Alaska through the mail. Together, the agencies work tirelessly to interdict suspicious U.S. Postal Service and other carriers’ parcels, with a goal of seizing narcotics before they enter communities and prosecuting those responsible for trafficking drugs to Alaska. 

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime and drug trafficking. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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

    A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: The WTO welcomes students to 23rd John H. Jackson Moot Court Finals

    Source: World Trade Organization

    The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition is a simulated hearing under the rules of the WTO dispute settlement system involving exchanges of written submissions and adversarial hearings before panelists on international trade law issues. The competition is organized by the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA). The WTO has been a technical supporter of the competition since its inception in 2002.

    This year, 65 student teams from 35 WTO members competed in the Regional Rounds, including South and West Asia, East Asia and Oceania, Africa, the Americas (North, South, and the Caribbean), and Europe. Nineteen teams competed in the South and West Asia Round, 12 teams were represented in the East Asia and Oceania Round, 11 teams participated in the African Round, eight teams competed in the All-American Round, and 18 teams took part in the two European Regional Rounds. From these 65 teams, 24 qualified for the Final Oral Round, representing a wide global participation from 15 WTO members: Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Germany, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Chinese Taipei, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  

    DDG Ellard opened the Final Oral Round and welcomed the students to the WTO on 10 June. In her opening remarks, DDG Ellard emphasized the importance of the John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition to capacity building by training students in international trade law, legal writing, and oral advocacy skills. DDG Ellard noted that her own experience participating in moot court as a law student showed her “the immense value of the experience you have embarked on in the development of knowledge, skills, and life-long friendships and connections.” DDG Ellard noted that Jackson Moot alumni can be found working in governments, academia, think tanks, law firms, and the WTO Secretariat.

    DDG Ellard congratulated Mr Marios Tokas of the Geneva Graduate Institute and Mr Panagiotis Kyriakou of the law firm Archipel, authors of this year’s moot problem. She noted that the topic of the case the students have been debating “demonstrates our challenge in addressing modern day problems — such as digital transfer of data, protection of consumer privacy, and regulation of competition (or anti-trust).” She drew the students’ attention to the ongoing work in the WTO on digital technologies and trade and e-commerce-related issues. “These efforts underscore the vision that even as trade evolves the rules-based approach with the WTO at its centre must continue to be the way forward with the economic rule of law,” she said.

    Noting that the international trade community supports the competition, DDG Ellard thanked all the sponsors and WTO staff members who contributed to the organization of the competition and wished teams the best of luck.

    The students also had the opportunity to meet DG Okonjo-Iweala on 13 June and heard from her how much the WTO looks forward to welcoming the students each year not only to the competition, but to the community of international trade law.

    During this week, teams are competing against each other before panels of WTO law experts. The grand final of the competition will take place on Saturday, 14 June, and will be livestreamed here.

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    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Canning — Update: RCMP charges youth in sexual assault against another youth in Canning

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Kings District RCMP has charged a youth in relation to a sexual assault of another youth that occurred on June 6, https://rcmp.ca/en/nova-scotia/news/2025/06/rcmp-seeking-information-identify-person-involved-sexual-assault-against-youth.

    On June 12, Kings District RCMP arrested a youth in relation to the sexual assault and executed a search warrant at a home in Canning where investigators located items supporting the investigation.

    “The courage the victim showed in fighting off their attacker was tremendous. Sexual assaults are an afront to society and, as in this case, have the power to inflict paralyzing fear in a community,” says Supt. Jason Popik, Southwest Nova District Policing Officer. “Through the support of the victim and their family, the Kings District investigators and street crime enforcement unit members identified and charged the accused, which will hopefully bring reassurance to the victim and their family as well as the community.”

    The youth has been charged with Assault, Sexual Assault and Disguise with Intent. They were released pending a court appearance in youth court on July 24.

    The investigation was led by Kings District general duty and General Investigative Section and the Southwest Nova Street Crime Enforcement Unit, with assistance of the RCMP’s Investigative Assistance Team.

    Kings District RCMP would like to thank the public for their support through numerous investigative tips and leads.

    If you have experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. The elimination of gender-based and sexual violence continues to be a priority for the Nova Scotia RCMP, and the RCMP employs a trauma-informed approach. Survivor support is available and you can contact us and discuss an incident before deciding to further participate in the investigation and court process.

    File: 2025-784797

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Green Township Man Charged with Crimes Related to Three Pipe Bomb Incidents

    Source: US FBI

    CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury indicted a Green Township man today, charging him with federal crimes related to explosive devices. 

    Robert Gilb, 50, was arrested yesterday.

    “The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Robert Gilb for possessing an unregistered destructive device and transporting explosive materials,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “This alleged activity posed a serious risk to public safety. The FBI worked closely with our law enforcement partners to neutralize this potential danger and protect the community.” 

    According to charging documents, Gilb allegedly detonated three improvised explosive devices (IED) in Hamilton and Butler counties in March and April.

    A complaint affidavit details that on April 12, Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Miami Township for a report of a loud explosion. They discovered what appeared to be a blast crater and components of an improvised explosive device (IED).

    Further investigation revealed that there were two prior incidents in Morgan Township

    that allegedly had similar characteristics to the incident in Miami Township. Butler County sheriff’s deputies had responded to incidents there on March 23 and March 28.

    Witnesses allegedly saw Gilb in his white BMW near the site of at least one of the devices when it exploded.

    Gilb is charged with three counts of possessing an unregistered destructive device and three counts of transporting explosive materials.

    Possessing an unregistered destructive device and transporting explosive materials are federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

    Kelly A. Norris, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Butler County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Fire Marshalls Office, Greater Cincinnati HAZMAT, Green Township Police Department and Green Township Fire Department, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

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

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Columbus Police Officer Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Altering Records

    Source: US FBI

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A former Columbus police officer was sentenced in federal court here today to 36 months in prison for destroying or altering records related to a criminal investigation.

    Nicholas P. Duty, 36, of Commercial Point, Ohio, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of the crime.

    According to court documents, on two occasions, Duty destroyed, altered or falsified records by purposefully deactivating or removing his police body worn camera. Duty’s actions were intended to impede, obstruct or influence a federal investigation.

    In February 2024, Columbus police officers were working street-level prostitution crimes in the area of Sullivant Avenue on the west side of Columbus when a witness expressed concerns about Duty’s on-duty activities with sex workers. Duty was positively identified during the administration of a blind photo array.

    Further investigation revealed that, on Oct. 31, 2023, and March 22, 2024, Duty deactivated or removed his body worn camera during interactions with two women, including during a sexual encounter.

    During the incidents, Duty was on duty, wearing a police uniform, in a marked police vehicle and assigned a body worn camera. He knew he was required to comply with Columbus Division of Police policies for wearing the division-issued camera.

    On Halloween 2023, the first woman had called Columbus police and asked for assistance, stating her boyfriend was attempting to kill himself. Duty transported the woman following the call and disabled his body worn and in-car cameras when he was alone with her. Duty made sexual advances toward the woman while his cameras were deactivated, and they exchanged phone numbers.  Duty continued to reach out to her, including in April 2024, a few days before his arrest.

    On March 22, 2024, body worn camera footage shows Duty speaking with the second woman near the Sunoco station at Sullivant and Clarendon avenues. The woman confirmed that Duty had money with him and asked if he wanted to go to their “normal spot.” Duty drove away in his police vehicle, relocated to a different alley, and met up with the woman. Duty removed his body worn camera and blocked it from recording video. The camera, however, still recorded audio from the incident. The audio recording reveals Duty asking the woman several times to have sex. She declines but performs oral sex on Duty. The two discuss meeting up later for sex and Duty paid the woman $20 for the sex act. During this time, he was marked “out,” indicating that he was actively working on a police call.

    Further review of Duty’s digital devices revealed numerous conversations in which Duty would seek out sex from various women, including victims of crime, whom he met while working on duty as a Columbus Police Officer. He would also send messages to sex workers while working and then meet up with them in his police cruiser, engage in sex acts with them, and then pay them for the sex acts.

    Duty was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024. He had been employed with the Columbus Division of Police since June 2018.

    Acting United States Attorney Kelly A. Norris, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas A. Greco,  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphy, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola announced the sentence imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Kevin W. Kelley are representing the United States in this case, which was investigated by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission’s Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Law Enforcement Offers $10,000 Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest of 4 Dangerous Criminal Illegal Aliens who Escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Call 911 or 866-DHS-2-ICE with any information that may lead to locating these dangerous criminal illegal aliens

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the four criminal illegal aliens who escaped from Delaney Hall Detention Facility in New Jersey. The safety of Americans and the Newark community is the DHS’ top priority.

    “DHS has become aware of four detainees at the privately held Delaney Hall Detention Facility escaping. Additional law enforcement partners have been brought in to find these escapees and a BOLO has been disseminated,” said a Senior DHS Official. “We encourage the public to call 911 or the ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE if they have information that may lead to the locating of these individuals. DHS and the FBI are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of these public safety threats.”

    On June 12, four criminal illegal aliens breached security at Delaney Hall. Contrary to current reporting, there has been no widespread unrest at the Delaney Hall Detention facility. This privately held facility remains dedicated to providing high-quality services, including include around-the-clock access to medical care, in-person and virtual legal and family visitation, general and legal library access, translation services, dietician-approved meals, religious and specialty diets, recreational amenities, and opportunities to practice their religious beliefs.

    The four criminal illegal aliens currently evading federal law enforcement are public safety threats.

    Franklin Norberto Bautista-Reyes is an illegal alien from Honduras who illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration. On May 3, 2025, the Wayne Township, New Jersey Police Department arrested Bautista for aggravated assault, attempt to cause bodily injury, terroristic threats, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

    Joel Enrique Sandoval-Lopez is an illegal alien from Honduras who illegally entered the U.S. as a minor in 2019. On October 3, 2024, the New Jersey Passaic Police Department arrested Sandoval for unlawful possession of a handgun. He was arrested again on February 15, 2025, by the Passaic Police Department for aggravated assault.

    Joan Sebastian Castaneda-Lozada is an illegal alien from Colombia who illegally entered the U.S. in 2022 under the Biden administration. On May 15, 2025, the New Jersey Hammonton Police Department arrested Castaneda for burglary, theft, and conspiracy to commit burglary.

    Andres Pineda-Mogollon is an illegal alien from Colombia who overstayed a tourist visa and entered the U.S. in 2023 under the Biden administration. On April 25, 2025, the New York City Police Department arrested Pineda for petit larceny. On May 21, 2025, the Union, New Jersey Police Department arrested Pineda for residential burglary, conspiracy residential burglary, and possession of burglary tools.

    Anonymous tips may be reported on the ICE Tip Form and via the toll-free ICE tip line, (866) 347-2423.

    ICE’s 24-hour tip line gives Americans the ability to report suspicious criminal activity by illegal aliens including terrorist activity, gang related crimes, and suspected sex trafficking. The tip line is manned by highly trained specialists who take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on the more than 400 laws enforced by ICE. Secretary Noem will be providing more resources and personnel to this tip line to ensure DHS is able to quickly identify, locate, and arrest these criminal illegal aliens.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rwandan Immigrant Arrested for Concealing Role as Perpetrator of Genocide After Fraudulently Entering the United States

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A federal grand jury in Ohio has returned a three-count indictment unsealed today charging Rwandan national Vincent Nzigiyimfura, also known as Vincent Mfura, 65, of Dayton, Ohio with lying on his U.S. immigration and naturalization applications. Specifically, the indictment alleges that he concealed his role as a perpetrator of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, among other misrepresentations. Nzigiyimfura was arrested Wednesday in Dayton and made his initial appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

    According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura participated in the genocide that took place between April and July 1994, when members of Rwanda’s majority Hutu population killed hundreds of thousands of the country’s minority Tutsi ethnic group in an attempt to eradicate the ethnic group. An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the three-month genocide. Nzigiyimfura, a Rwandan businessman and butcher, was allegedly a leader and organizer of the genocide against Tutsis in the area in and around Gihisi and Nyanza. Nzigiyimfura allegedly provided weapons, transportation, and material inducements to other Hutus and directed them to search for and apprehend people to be killed based on their status as Tutsis. He allegedly set up roadblocks to detain and kill Tutsis, using his personal vehicle to transport materials to build the roadblocks. According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura devised a scheme to trick Tutsis in hiding to believe that the killings had stopped only to have them rounded up and murdered. 

    “As alleged, Vincent Nzigiyimfura directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda and then lied to U.S. authorities to start a new life in this country,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The United States is not a safe haven for human rights violators. Those, like the defendant, who commit immigration fraud to hide their violent pasts will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    Mr. Galeotti thanked the prosecutors from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), agents from HSI Cincinnati and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio for their work in bringing this important prosecution.

    “The indictment alleges this defendant facilitated the killings of Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide and then lied about it on immigration applications in the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio. “This egregious conduct will not be tolerated.”

    “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) is committed to pursuing justice for victims of genocide by ensuring that those who committed atrocities in foreign lands cannot hide in Ohio or any other community in the United States,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey of ICE HSI Detroit. “No one wants a war criminal as their neighbor and these allegations paint a grim picture of the horror Nzigiyimfura inflicted on the Tutsi people. His indictment and arrest is a step toward justice for those victims. ”

    When the genocide ended in 1994, as alleged, Nzigiyimfura fled Rwanda and later lived in Malawi. While living in Malawi in 2008 to 2009, Nzigiyimfura allegedly submitted materially misleading applications for an immigrant visa and alien registration, including by falsely representing that he was not an alien who had engaged in genocide. In the presence of a U. S. Consular Officer, Nzigiyimfura affirmed he understood that any willfully false or misleading statement or willful concealment of material facts could subject him to criminal prosecution. Additionally, according to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura submitted an affidavit in which he misleadingly claimed he “left Rwanda in 1994 due to the Genocide,” when in fact, he fled the country because of his participation in the persecution and massacre of Tutsis. His alleged misrepresentations and omissions yielded an immigrant visa to enter the United States in 2009.

    Five years later, Nzigiyimfura submitted an application to naturalize as a U. S. citizen. Here, too, according to the indictment, he knowingly made false statements and omitted material facts, including claiming he had never persecuted any person, never committed a crime or offense, and never lied to any U. S. Government official to gain entry to the United States. In a November 2014 interview with a U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, Nzigiyimfura verbally reaffirmed these false statements, as well as others, according to the indictment. His application for naturalization has not been granted. Nzigiyimfura has lived in the United States since 2009.

    In 2018, according to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura submitted an application and supporting documentation for a replacement Permanent Resident Card (green card) that was due to expire in 2019 and obtained a new fraudulently procured green card with an expiration date in 2029. On July 27, 2021, Nzigiyimfura allegedly used his fraudulently procured replacement green card in connection with an application for an Ohio driver’s license.

    Nzigiyimfura is charged with one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U. S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    HSI Cincinnati is investigating the case, with assistance from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. 

    Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U. S. Attorney Rob Painter of the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U. S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email HRV. ICE@ice. dhs. gov or complete its online tip form at www. ice. gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips. asp.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Elmsdale — East Hants District RCMP investigating possible negligence

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    East Hants District RCMP is investigating an incident of possible negligence after a man was reported missing.

    On June 11, at approximately 10:40 p.m., East Hants District RCMP responded to a report of a missing 81-year-old man. Officers learned the man was last seen at 3:30 p.m. when he was picked up outside a residence by a public transit service.

    The man was located just before 11 p.m. in a public transit service vehicle. The man was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time and was found in medical distress; he was transported to hospital by EHS.

    The investigation into the incident is being led by East Hants District RCMP with assistance from Colchester County District RCMP General Investigative Section and the RCMP’s Interview Assistance Team. Investigators have spoken with a number of individuals, seized items and collected significant information in support of the ongoing investigation.

    As the investigation is ongoing, no further information can be released at this time.

    File # 2025-814847

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Yarmouth — Missing youth: Help the RCMP find Breanna Lynds (Joudrie)

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Yarmouth Town RCMP Detachment is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 17-year-old Breanna Amanda Lynn Lynds (Joudrie), who was last seen on June 10 at 2:30 p.m in the town of Yarmouth.

    Lynds (Joudrie) is described as 5-foot-4 and 121 pounds. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Note: A photo of Breanna Lynds (Joudrie) is attached.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Breanna Lynds (Joudrie) is asked to contact the Yarmouth Town Detachment RCMP at 902-742-8777. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Illegal arrest and detention of MEP, activists and EU citizens by Israeli authorities in international waters – Violation of international law – Blockade of Gaza – P-002314/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002314/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Maria Zacharia (NI)

    On 9 June 2025, the Israeli Government carried out a military operation against the Freedom Flotilla vessel Madleen, which was carrying humanitarian aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip and starving civilians, victims of the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. The operation took place in international waters with drones, chemical deployment and the violent arrest, kidnapping and taking hostage of 12 civilians, including MEP Rima Hassan and well-known peace activists.

    Israel has unilaterally imposed a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007. The UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry (2011) has ruled that the blockade constitutes collective punishment against the civilian population and violates the Geneva Conventions. The Israeli action in international waters constitutes an international crime, a violation of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, international law, the principle of freedom of navigation, international humanitarian law and international criminal law, while the Israeli Prime Minister is wanted for international crimes.

    In view of the above:

    • 1.What measures has or will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy put in place for the immediate release of the arrested EU citizens and MEP Hassan?
    • 2.What actions will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy take regarding this act of hostility against EU citizens and a Member of the European Parliament, and what actions will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy take to get the blockade lifted?
    • 3.Will the EU activate the mechanism of the human rights clause (Article 2) of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?

    Submitted: 10.6.2025

    Last updated: 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Calls May Come from Unfamiliar Numbers

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Calls May Come from Unfamiliar Numbers

    FEMA Calls May Come from Unfamiliar Numbers

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark

    – After Arkansans apply for disaster assistance, FEMA may call to schedule an inspection of the damaged home or for more information to process the application

    These calls may come from unfamiliar area codes or phone numbers

    It is important to answer the call

    A FEMA inspection may be required to determine whether a home is safe, functional and accessible

    If an inspection cannot be scheduled, that may cause a delay in FEMA’s review of a homeowner’s or renter’s application

    There is no charge for an inspection

    The inspector will have FEMA photo ID and your application number

    FEMA representatives never ask for money

    If you receive a call from someone claiming to be a FEMA representative, but you aren’t sure, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 to verify the caller’s identity

    Residents who suffered losses after the March 14-15 and April 2-22 severe storms can apply for FEMA assistance for losses not covered by insurance

     Survivors affected by both disasters are encouraged to file a separate FEMA application for each disaster

    Survivors in Greene, Hot Spring, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, Sharp and Stone counties may apply if they had damage in March

    Additionally, those affected by the April storms in Clark, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Desha, Fulton, Hot Spring, Jackson, Miller, Ouachita, Pulaski, Randolph, St

    Francis, Saline, Sharp and White counties may also apply

    The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance for the March storms is Monday, July 14

    The last day to apply for the April storms is Tuesday, July 22

     There are several ways to apply

    Go to DisasterAssistance

    gov, use the FEMA App for mobile devices or call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362

    Lines are open from 6 a

    m

    to 10 p

    m

    CDT seven days a week and specialists speak many languages

     In-person survivor assistance is also available at several sites across the impacted area

    To find hours and locations, visit fema

    gov/disaster/4865 or fema

    gov/disaster/4873, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link under “In-person Survivor Assistance

    ”To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance – YouTube

    For the latest information about Arkansas’ recovery, visit fema

    gov/disaster/4865 or fema

    gov/disaster/4873

    Follow FEMA Region 6 on social media at x

    com/FEMARegion6 and at facebook

    com/FEMARegion6/

    thomas

    wise
    Fri, 06/13/2025 – 14:00

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Georgia Tax Preparer for Fabricating Expenses and Credits

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Note: View complaint here.

    The Justice Department filed a complaint today to permanently bar tax preparer Tanja D. Hollis, of Griffin, Georgia, and her business, Tanja Tax Preparations LLC, from preparing federal tax returns for others.

    The complaint, filed in a federal court in Newnan, Georgia, alleges that Hollis prepared and filed false federal tax returns through Tanja Tax Preparations that understated her customers’ tax liabilities by reporting false or exaggerated business expenses and claiming tax credits for false education expenses.

    According to the complaint, despite knowing them to be false, Hollis prepared returns claiming business expenses for customers who did not own or operate a business and education expenses for customers who were not enrolled as students. The IRS interviewed Tanja Tax Preparations customers who said they did not give Hollis any reason to believe that the items reported on their returns were legitimate.

    The complaint alleges that, by repeatedly understating her customers’ tax liabilities, Hollis caused the United States to lose substantial tax revenue.

    In addition to a permanent injunction, the complaint asks the court to order Hollis to turn over the ill-gotten tax preparation fees she earned while preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns.

    Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams, and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers. The IRS also has a checklist of things to remember when filing income tax returns. In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found here. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rwandan Immigrant Arrested for Concealing Role as Perpetrator of Genocide After Fraudulently Entering the United States

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A federal grand jury in Ohio has returned a three-count indictment unsealed today charging Rwandan national Vincent Nzigiyimfura, also known as Vincent Mfura, 65, of Dayton, Ohio with lying on his U.S. immigration and naturalization applications. Specifically, the indictment alleges that he concealed his role as a perpetrator of the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, among other misrepresentations. Nzigiyimfura was arrested Wednesday in Dayton and made his initial appearance yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

    According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura participated in the genocide that took place between April and July 1994, when members of Rwanda’s majority Hutu population killed hundreds of thousands of the country’s minority Tutsi ethnic group in an attempt to eradicate the ethnic group. An estimated 500,000 to 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed during the three-month genocide. Nzigiyimfura, a Rwandan businessman and butcher, was allegedly a leader and organizer of the genocide against Tutsis in the area in and around Gihisi and Nyanza. Nzigiyimfura allegedly provided weapons, transportation, and material inducements to other Hutus and directed them to search for and apprehend people to be killed based on their status as Tutsis. He allegedly set up roadblocks to detain and kill Tutsis, using his personal vehicle to transport materials to build the roadblocks. According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura devised a scheme to trick Tutsis in hiding to believe that the killings had stopped only to have them rounded up and murdered. 

    “As alleged, Vincent Nzigiyimfura directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda and then lied to U.S. authorities to start a new life in this country,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The United States is not a safe haven for human rights violators. Those, like the defendant, who commit immigration fraud to hide their violent pasts will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    Mr. Galeotti thanked the prosecutors from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), agents from HSI Cincinnati and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio for their work in bringing this important prosecution.

    “The indictment alleges this defendant facilitated the killings of Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide and then lied about it on immigration applications in the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio. “This egregious conduct will not be tolerated.”

    “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) is committed to pursuing justice for victims of genocide by ensuring that those who committed atrocities in foreign lands cannot hide in Ohio or any other community in the United States,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey of ICE HSI Detroit. “No one wants a war criminal as their neighbor and these allegations paint a grim picture of the horror Nzigiyimfura inflicted on the Tutsi people. His indictment and arrest is a step toward justice for those victims. ”

    When the genocide ended in 1994, as alleged, Nzigiyimfura fled Rwanda and later lived in Malawi. While living in Malawi in 2008 to 2009, Nzigiyimfura allegedly submitted materially misleading applications for an immigrant visa and alien registration, including by falsely representing that he was not an alien who had engaged in genocide. In the presence of a U. S. Consular Officer, Nzigiyimfura affirmed he understood that any willfully false or misleading statement or willful concealment of material facts could subject him to criminal prosecution. Additionally, according to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura submitted an affidavit in which he misleadingly claimed he “left Rwanda in 1994 due to the Genocide,” when in fact, he fled the country because of his participation in the persecution and massacre of Tutsis. His alleged misrepresentations and omissions yielded an immigrant visa to enter the United States in 2009.

    Five years later, Nzigiyimfura submitted an application to naturalize as a U. S. citizen. Here, too, according to the indictment, he knowingly made false statements and omitted material facts, including claiming he had never persecuted any person, never committed a crime or offense, and never lied to any U. S. Government official to gain entry to the United States. In a November 2014 interview with a U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officer, Nzigiyimfura verbally reaffirmed these false statements, as well as others, according to the indictment. His application for naturalization has not been granted. Nzigiyimfura has lived in the United States since 2009.

    In 2018, according to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura submitted an application and supporting documentation for a replacement Permanent Resident Card (green card) that was due to expire in 2019 and obtained a new fraudulently procured green card with an expiration date in 2029. On July 27, 2021, Nzigiyimfura allegedly used his fraudulently procured replacement green card in connection with an application for an Ohio driver’s license.

    Nzigiyimfura is charged with one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted, he faces a statutory maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U. S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    HSI Cincinnati is investigating the case, with assistance from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC). Established in 2009, the HRVWCC furthers the government’s efforts to identify, locate, and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation, and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. 

    Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U. S. Attorney Rob Painter of the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Historian/Analyst Dr. Christopher Hayden and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

    Members of the public who have information about former human rights violators in the United States are urged to contact U. S. law enforcement through the HSI tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199. They can also email HRV. ICE@ice. dhs. gov or complete its online tip form at www. ice. gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips. asp.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Labrador Letter: Strengthening Our Fight Against Child Exploitation in North Idaho

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom Labrador Letter: Strengthening Our Fight Against Child Exploitation in North Idaho

    Dear Friends,
    This week I traveled to North Idaho to strengthen our partnerships with local law enforcement in the fight against child exploitation. The trip included meetings with police chiefs, time with our Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigators, and important discussions about how we can better protect children across Idaho.
    I attended the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association Conference, where I had the opportunity to thank police chiefs from across our state for their dedication to protecting Idaho communities. I wanted them to know that my office is here as a resource, ready to assist with investigations and prosecutions, especially when it comes to ICAC cases. Our ICAC investigators do incredibly demanding work to protect vulnerable children from online predators, and they can’t do it alone.
    The reality is that building strong partnerships with police departments across Idaho is essential to keeping kids safe. At the conference, I spent time at our ICAC booth speaking directly with chiefs about collaboration opportunities and the resources available to their departments. These conversations matter because protecting children requires all of us working together.
    I also joined our ICAC investigators and team members in Post Falls for their biannual Mental Health and Resiliency training. This training is conducted by Dr. Alex Crampton and Dr. Ross Ginkel, the contracted psychologists for our ICAC team. These investigators are heroes who work tirelessly to protect children in Idaho. Every day, they confront horrific images and disturbing cases as they conduct search warrants and arrest online predators.
    What many people don’t realize is the emotional toll this work takes on the men and women who do it. My office ensures these investigators have mental health resources available whenever they need them, and it was an honor for me to join them for part of this critical training. We hold these full-team mental health trainings in different locations across Idaho to accommodate investigators statewide and bring the entire team together.
    I then met with Captains Mark Brantl and Jason Mealer at the Post Falls Police Department to discuss ongoing collaboration between local law enforcement and our ICAC Task Force. Our 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.
    These partnerships aren’t just professional relationships, they’re critical lifelines in our mission to protect children in our state. When local departments have the support they need and our investigators have the mental health resources to sustain this difficult work, children in Idaho are safer.
    As both a parent and your Attorney General, I know there’s no more important work than protecting children from those who would harm them. This trip reminded me that we have dedicated professionals throughout Idaho who share that commitment, and together, we’re making a difference.
    Best regards, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU climate target for 2040 – E-002269/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002269/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)

    In February 2024, the Commission announced a 90 % reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels as the recommended target for 2040 to ensure that the EU reaches climate neutrality by 2050[1]. This recommended target was based on a detailed Commission impact assessment[2] and a proposal from the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, which proposed that the target should be 90-95 %[3]. However, the legislative proposal to include the target in the European Climate Law[4] has been significantly delayed and is now expected on 2 July 2025. At the same time, it seems that the Commission will propose flexibilities that undermine climate efforts and the achievement of EU climate neutrality[5] (notably the possibility to use international carbon credits instead of implementing domestic action[6]), which is strongly criticised by the Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change[7].

    In view of this, can the Commission say:

    • 1.Will it present its proposal on 2 July 2025?
    • 2.Does it intend to propose flexibilities and, if so, which ones?
    • 3.Will the Commission’s proposal be accompanied by an analytical and detailed impact assessment demonstrating its full compatibility with the climate-neutrality objective, but also comparing that proposal’s expected results with the results of a proposal based on domestic action rather than on the use of international carbon credits?

    Submitted: 5.6.2025

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A63%3AFIN, https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/climate-strategies-targets/2040-climate-target_en.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52024SC0063
    • [3] https://climate-advisory-board.europa.eu/reports-and-publications/scientific-advice-for-the-determination-of-an-eu-wide-2040
    • [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R1119.
    • [5] https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-2040-climate-target-with-carbon-credits-expected-in-july-diplomats-say/
    • [6] Carbon credits allow one country to finance emission reduction projects in another (usually a poorer, developing country) and subtract those CO2 emission reductions from its own carbon balance.
    • [7] https://climate-advisory-board.europa.eu/reports-and-publications/scientific-advice-for-amending-the-european-climate-law-setting-climate-goals-to-strengthen-eu-strategic-priorities
    Last updated: 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cyprus’s Supreme Constitutional Court avoided the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) over transparency law – P-001545/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In line with the ruling in Case C-283/81 Cilfit v Ministerio della Sanità[1], national supreme courts are not required to request a preliminary ruling if the EU legislation in question has already been the subject of interpretation by the Court of Justice of the European Union or if the issue of the correct application of EU law leaves no scope for any reasonable doubt as to the manner in which the question will be resolved.

    The Commission does not, in principle, initiate infringement proceedings under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) if the infringement of obligations under Article 267(3) TFEU constitutes an isolated case.

    The Commission monitors significant developments concerning the rule of law in Member States, including on the anti-corruption framework in the context of the annual Rule of Law Report.

    The Commission follows closely developments in this area and will provide an up-to-date assessment in its 2025 Rule of Law Report, planned to be published in July 2025.

    • [1] ECLI:EU:C:1982:335.
    Last updated: 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Tuesday, 17 June 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    34 Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material and replacing Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA (recast)
    Jeroen Lenaers (A10-0097/2025)      – Amendments; rejection Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 50 Amending Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 as regards additional assistance and further flexibility to outermost regions affected by severe natural disasters and in the context of cyclone Chido devastating Mayotte     – Amendments; rejection Friday, 13 June 2025, 12:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Monday, 16 June 2025, 19:00 36 Electoral rights of mobile Union citizens in European Parliament elections
    Sven Simon (A10-0090/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 30 Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the declaration of input (Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure)
    Sven Simon (A10-0086/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 16 Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy
    Denis Nesci (A10-0092/2025)      – Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least; Alternative motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 28 Financing for development – ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville
    Charles Goerens (A10-0101/2025)      – Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least; Alternative motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 26 Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility
    Victor Negrescu, Siegfried Mureşan (A10-0098/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 19 The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report
    Ana Catarina Mendes (A10-0100/2025)      – Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least, Alternative motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 25 2023 and 2024 reports on Montenegro
    Marjan Šarec (A10-0093/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 17 2023 and 2024 reports on Moldova
    Sven Mikser (A10-0096/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 13 June 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 16 June 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Final draft agenda – Wednesday, 18 June 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    51 Macro-financial assistance to Egypt
    Céline Imart (A10-0037/2025)      – Amendments; rejection Monday, 16 June 2025, 20:00     – Requests for “separate”, “split” and “roll-call” votes Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 16:00 39 Adoption by the Union of the Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty
    Anna Cavazzini, Borys Budka (A10-0009/2025)      – Amendments; rejection Friday, 13 June 2025, 12:00 26 Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility
    Victor Negrescu, Siegfried Mureşan (A10-0098/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 19 The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report
    Ana Catarina Mendes (A10-0100/2025)      – Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least, Alternative motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 25 2023 and 2024 reports on Montenegro
    Marjan Šarec (A10-0093/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 17 2023 and 2024 reports on Moldova
    Sven Mikser (A10-0096/2025)      – Amendments Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 38 Clean Industrial Deal
    (O-000020/2025 – B10-0006/25)      – Motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Friday, 13 June 2025, 12:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Friday, 13 June 2025, 13:00 41 Electricity grids: the backbone of the EU energy system
    Anna Stürgkh (A10-0091/2025)      – Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least, Alternative motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00 65 Media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 16 June 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 14:00 66 Case of Ahmadreza Jalali in Iran     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 16 June 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 14:00 68 Dissolution of political parties and the crackdown on the opposition in Mali     – Motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Monday, 16 June 2025, 20:00     – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 13:00     – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 14:00 Separate votes – Split votes – Roll-call votes Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 13 June 2025, 12:00 Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 16 June 2025, 19:00 Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 19:00 Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – National sovereignty undermined due to abuse of the freedom to transfer capital set out in Article 63 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU – E-001529/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Member States have the right to regulate real estate markets. In doing so, however, they must respect the basic principles of the EU Treaties, first and foremost the fundamental freedoms.

    The right to acquire, use or dispose of real estate falls under the free movement of capital principle set out in Articles 63 et seq. of the TFEU, or, depending on the purpose, under freedom of establishment pursuant to Article 49 TFEU.

    As a rule, these freedoms prohibit any restrictions on the acquisition of real estate as well as direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of nationality, unless they are justified by legitimate reasons of public interest as recognised in the Treaties or in the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).

    Where a measure pursues such a legitimate objective, restrictions to property transactions can be justified only insofar as they are suitable for securing, in a consistent and systematic manner, the attainment of the objective which they pursue and do not go beyond what is necessary in order to attain that objective[1].

    The free movement of capital also extends to investments from third countries. However, special considerations apply to justifications for restrictions on the movement of capital to and from third countries.

    The CJEU stressed that the relations with third countries can be said to ‘take place in a different legal context’ from that which occurs within the EU, when EU legislation is not applicable to third countries.

    Consequently, under the Treaty additional justifications may be acceptable in the case of Member States’ restrictions as regards third countries.[2] To be noted that the freedom of establishment extends to nationals of Member States as well as legal entities established in the EU.

    • [1] Case C-670/21, BA (Inheritance — Public housing policy in the European Union), EU:C:2023:763, p. 67 and the case-law cited.
    • [2] CJEU, cases C-101/05, Skatteverket, p. 36; C-446/04, Test Claimants in the FII Group Litigation, p. 171.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – ‘Exit tax’ in connection with relocating to another Member State – P-001754/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission understands that the Belgian Government is currently reflecting on the introduction of an exit tax in the context of a broader discussion on capital gains taxation. Based on publicly available information, this discussion appears to be still ongoing, and no legal act has been proposed yet by the Belgian Government or adopted by the Chamber of Representatives.

    Since there is no legal act or provisions in place, the Commission is not able to take a view on the compatibility of such an envisaged exit tax with EU law.

    In principle, restrictions to the Single Market are generally prohibited under the Treaties. Member States can adopt such exit taxes by exercising their national tax competence provided they fully comply with the free movement of capital (Article 63 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), as clarified by the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

    Last updated: 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission communication on spyware – E-000435/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission has followed closely the work of the Committee to investigate the use of Pegasus surveillance spyware (PEGA) conducted during the previous parliamentary term.

    Based on the report and the recommendations, as well as its own fact-gathering exercise, the Commission will decide on the most appropriate way forward.

    The Commission’s position is very clear: any attempts to illegally access data of citizens, including journalists and political opponents, is unacceptable, if confirmed.

    Even where the use of spyware is linked to national security, and in instances where it falls outside the scope of EU law, national checks and balances need to ensure that safeguards are in place.

    The Commission has followed up on developments concerning the alleged illegal use of intrusive surveillance software in its annual Rule of Law Reports, in particular as regards the functioning of national checks and balances in response to such allegations.

    The EU data protection and privacy acquis offers comprehensive protection to the confidentiality of communications and users’ personal data and terminal equipment. EU data protection law is applicable to the processing of personal data by private entities, even where such processing is required for national security purposes.

    Under the provisions of the ePrivacy Directive[1], the interception or surveillance of communications by public or private bodies is prohibited without the consent of the user.

    While restrictions to these provisions are permitted for important public objectives, they are subject to strict conditions and safeguards.

    The Law Enforcement Directive[2] is also applicable when competent authorities process personal data for law enforcement purposes. Processing of personal data under these instruments is subject to control by supervisory authorities, which have effective powers to examine any allegations of misuse, as well as subject to judicial review.

    • [1] Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector (Directive on privacy and electronic communications), OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37.
    • [2] Directive (EU) 2016/680 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by competent authorities for the purposes of the prevention, investigation, detection or prosecution of criminal offences or the execution of criminal penalties, and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA, OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 89-131.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – A cloud to call our own! – E-001198/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission aims to support an enhanced availability and uptake of European cloud solutions across the EU through the upcoming Cloud and Artificial intelligence Development Act[1].

    The main objective is to at least triple the EU’s overall data centre capacity within the next five to seven years[2] and ensure that highly critical use cases in the EU are served by highly secure EU-based cloud capacity[3].

    The Act will be complemented by a single EU-wide cloud policy for public administrations and public procurement[4].

    Moreover, the Commission has approved the ongoing implementation of the Important Project of Common European Interest on Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services[5].

    Also, through the co-financing under the Digital Europe Programme, the Commission also supports the deployment of an EU marketplace for federated cloud services[6] to facilitate the provision and the procurement of cloud services across the EU by EU cloud service providers[7].

    The Commission’s adequacy decision on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework[8] is based on the key safeguards included in Executive Order 14086 (EO 14086) adopted by the President of the United States[9].

    In particular, EO 14086 introduced safeguards to ensure that the collection and use of personal data of Europeans by United States intelligence agencies is limited to what is necessary and proportionate in pursuit of defined national security objectives.

    Moreover, EO 14086 established the Data Protection Review Court, providing EU citizens with a redress mechanism with binding investigatory and remedial powers.

    EO 14086 continues to be in place, providing key safeguards to data transferred from the EU[10], and addressing all the points raised by the Court of Justice in its Schrems II judgment[11].

    • [1] Mission letter from the President of the European Commission to the Executive Vice-President-designate for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/3b537594-9264-4249-a912-5b102b7b49a3_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20VIRKKUNEN.pdf.
    • [2] This will be achieved by streamlining the permitting procedures and improving access to suitable sites, energy and funding for data centres that meet ambitious resource efficiency requirements. This is an important opportunity for European data centre operators and cloud service providers will have an important role to play in meeting this objective.
    • [3] Such highly critical uses cares in the EU are characterised by high sovereignty and operational autonomy requirements.
    • [4] The aim will be to assist the Act’s implementation in the public sector, guide public authorities in their cloud procurement decisions and empower them to leverage their purchasing power more strategically.
    • [5] IPCEI CIS/8ra Europe’s Next Generation Cloud Infrastructure and Services — 8ra: https://www.8ra.com/ Seven Member States will provide up to EUR 1.2 billion in public funding, expected to unlock an additional EUR 1.4 billion.
    • [6]  Project DOME DOME Mark etplace: https://dome-marketplace.eu/dashboard.
    • [7]  Such providers offer highly trustworthy, curated cloud services that serve the interests of crucial sectors dealing with sensitive data, such as the public sector.
    • [8]  Commission Implementing Decision EU 2023/1795 of 10 July 2023 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the adequate level of protection of personal data under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (notified under document C(2023)4745) (Text with EEA relevance) C/2023/4745 OJ L 231, 20.9.2023, p. 118-229 https://commission.europa.eu/document/fa09cbad-dd7d-4684-ae60-be03fcb0fddf_en.
    • [9]  Executive Order 14086 on ‘Enhancing Safeguards for United States Signals Intelligence Activities’.
    • [10]  Its requirements and safeguards have also been recently assessed in the Commission’s report of 9 October 2024 to the European Parliament and the Council on the first periodic review of the functioning of the adequacy decision on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework COM(2024) 451 final: https://commission.europa.eu/document/25695177-8073-4ce3-bf81-eb816dc6b468_en.
    • [11]  C-311/18, Data Protection Commissioner v Facebook Ireland Limited and Maximillian Schrems (‘Schrems II’), 16 July 2020, ECLI:EU:C:2020:559.
    Last updated: 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Compliance with the rule of law in Spain amid the wave of legal proceedings regarding corruption – E-002213/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002213/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dolors Montserrat (PPE)

    There are an increasing number of legal proceedings involving those closest to the Prime Minister of Spain: his wife, his brother, the organisational secretary of the ruling party, and several former high-ranking government officials are all implicated in alleged cases of corruption, influence peddling, misappropriation of public funds and irregularities related to public procurement.

    The most egregious examples include:

    – the charges brought against the Prosecutor General of Spain for politically-motivated leaks of confidential information;

    – the initiation of legal proceedings against the Prime Minister’s brother for misconduct and influence peddling;

    – suspected circumvention of the law to obtain special immunity for regional leaders facing charges;

    – the involvement of former ministerial officials in allegedly rigged public contracts;

    – and the possible use of institutional influence to favour those associated with the ruling party who are close to Sánchez.

    The principles of the rule of law, the separation of powers and accountability are under threat.

    • 1.Does the Commission plan to include an explicit warning in its Rule of Law Report about these signs of structural corruption connected to the Spanish Government, as well as a warning about possible political interference in the legal proceedings currently under way?

    Submitted: 3.6.2025

    Last updated: 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opens today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opens today

    The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF) 2025, presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), opened today (June 13) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), launching over 280 events to be held from June to September.

    In a video speech addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said that the Government will fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture globally and ride on Hong Kong’s international network in telling good stories of China to the world. Mr Lee pointed out that an important strategic direction featured in the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, published by the Government last year, is on the promotion of the profound traditional Chinese culture. He is confident that the Chinese Culture Festival will become an annual signature cultural event in Hong Kong, presenting the rich and vibrant Chinese culture to audiences through innovative approaches. He said that the Government will continue to promote the essence of Chinese culture to citizens of Hong Kong and visitors from overseas and the Mainland, with a view to achieving “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism” and fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of culture and tourism.

    Officiating guests at the opening ceremony included the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; the Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government (LOCPG) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Wang Songmiao; the Deputy Director General of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the LOCPG in the HKSAR, Mr Li Shuguang; the Chairperson of the Working Group on Patriotic Education under the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee and Legislative Council Member, Dr Starry Lee; the Chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, Mr Ma Fung-kwok; and the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Manda Chan.

    The opening programme of this year’s CCF staged tonight is a contemporary dance performance “Dongpo: Life in Poems”, which is sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of China Limited Hong Kong Branch and performed by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. Directed by internationally acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei, the production is inspired by the poetry and life of Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty. It revolves 12 of Su’s poems that epitomise the poet’s life philosophy, while reinterpreting Su’s multifaceted legacy through contemporary dance. The production deeply integrates various fine traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera and martial arts. By merging “cognitive essence” and “aesthetic realm”, this approach is designed to transcend linguistic barriers, allowing audiences to explore Su’s spiritual world through a contemporary lens. The audience gave rounds of warm applause for the splendid performance by main cast performers Su Peng and Liu Jie, outstanding young dancers from the China Oriental Song and Dance Troupe and the Meishan Song and Dance Theatre, as well as for guqin virtuoso and Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music Zhao Xiaoxia.

    The programme also featured an open rehearsal under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” this afternoon at the Grand Theatre of the HKCC. Close to 400 primary and secondary school students and teachers as well as members of the community were invited to attend, free of charge. This session enabled them to appreciate the humanistic emotions conveyed in Su’s poetry and embark on an artistic journey where “poetry embodies dance and dance incorporates poetry” in appreciating the beauty of traditional Chinese culture.

    The thematic exhibition on “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is currently being held at the Foyer of the HKCC. Apart from introducing the concept and structure of the production, the exhibition also presents Shen’s research notes and design sketches created during the creative process through photographs. Three paintings by Shen that were displayed on stage during the performance are featured in the exhibition. The exhibition will run until tomorrow (June 14). Admission is free and members of the public are welcome to visit.

    The CCF aims to promote Chinese culture and enhance the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also aims to attract top-notch artists and arts groups from the Mainland and other parts of the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. The CCF 2025 is held from June to September. Through different performing arts programmes in various forms and related extension activities, as well as community and school activities and more, the festival provides members of the public and visitors with more opportunities to enjoy distinctive programmes that showcase fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to the inheritance, transformation and development of traditional Chinese culture in Hong Kong. For more information about programmes and activities of the CCF 2025, please visit www.ccf.gov.hk.

    Ends/Friday, June 13, 2025
    Issued at HKT 22:20

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Seeks to Shut Down Georgia Tax Preparer for Fabricating Expenses and Credits

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Note: View complaint here.

    The Justice Department filed a complaint today to permanently bar tax preparer Tanja D. Hollis, of Griffin, Georgia, and her business, Tanja Tax Preparations LLC, from preparing federal tax returns for others.

    The complaint, filed in a federal court in Newnan, Georgia, alleges that Hollis prepared and filed false federal tax returns through Tanja Tax Preparations that understated her customers’ tax liabilities by reporting false or exaggerated business expenses and claiming tax credits for false education expenses.

    According to the complaint, despite knowing them to be false, Hollis prepared returns claiming business expenses for customers who did not own or operate a business and education expenses for customers who were not enrolled as students. The IRS interviewed Tanja Tax Preparations customers who said they did not give Hollis any reason to believe that the items reported on their returns were legitimate.

    The complaint alleges that, by repeatedly understating her customers’ tax liabilities, Hollis caused the United States to lose substantial tax revenue.

    In addition to a permanent injunction, the complaint asks the court to order Hollis to turn over the ill-gotten tax preparation fees she earned while preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns.

    Return preparer fraud is one of the IRS’ Dirty Dozen Tax Scams, and taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers. The IRS also has a checklist of things to remember when filing income tax returns. In the past decade, the Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found here. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Osceola County, Florida, Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years for Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed has sentenced Alex Ramon (34, Kissimmee) to 16 years and 3 months in federal prison for production of child sexual abuse material. The court also ordered Ramon to forfeit the electronic device used in the commission of the offense. Ramon pleaded guilty on March 12, 2025. 

    According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at Ramon’s residence following cyber tips related to online child sexual abuse activities, which resulted in the recovery of Ramon’s cellphone. The cellphone contained more than 450 videos and 160 images of child sexual abuse material. A further forensic examination of the device revealed that Ramon also shared links and screen-recorded live streams of child sexual abuse, producing his own child sexual abuse material. 

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Testerman and Kaley Austin-Aronson.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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