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Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Strengthening democracy

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Dismisses Half Century Old Louisiana Consent Decree

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Justice Department Dismisses Half Century Old Louisiana Consent Decree

    In 1966, the United States sued Plaquemines Parish School Board seeking to desegregate its schools. By 1975, the Court found the schools had been properly integrated, but the case was never removed from the Court system. Thus, for nearly a half century the case remained open.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Court Enjoins Arizona Animal Drug Manufacturer from Distributing Unapproved Drugs

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A federal court ordered an Arizona company to stop distributing unapproved animal drugs that violate the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the Department of Justice announced.

    In a civil complaint filed on August 29, 2023, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, the United States alleged that AniCell Biotech LLC and its founder and chief executive officer, Brandon T. Ames, violated the FDCA at the company’s facility in Gilbert, Arizona, by manufacturing and distributing unapproved animal drugs. According to the complaint, AniCell Biotech makes and distributes animal cell- and tissue-based products (ACTPs) derived from the amniotic tissue of horses for use in animals.

    According to the complaint, AniCell and Ames claimed on their website and in promotional pamphlets that their products were intended for use in animals to treat various diseases and to promote tissue regeneration and healing. The complaint further alleged that AniCell and Ames made and sold new animal drugs that were considered adulterated and unsafe because they had not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the complaint, FDA provided defendants with multiple warnings, including a written warning letter regarding its need to submit its new animal drugs to the FDA for approval.

    “Animal drug manufacturers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe and manufactured and sold in accordance with the law,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department will continue to work closely with FDA to pursue appropriate actions against drug manufacturers that violate the law.”

    “Marketing unapproved new animal drugs that claim to cure, mitigate, treat or prevent diseases in animals can pose serious safety risks to consumers’ pets,” said Acting Director Dr. Timothy Schell of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. “The FDA will continue to pursue actions against those who may put animal patients in harm’s way by manufacturing and distributing unapproved new animal drugs.”

    The defendants agreed to settle the suit and be bound by a consent decree permanently enjoining them from violating the FDCA. Under the court’s order, entered on April 17, the defendants must comply with specific requirements set forth in the injunction and the FDCA prior to manufacturing or distributing any new animal drugs.

    Trial Attorney Coleen Schoch of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch handled the case, with assistance from Associate Chief Counsel of Enforcement Jaclyn E. Martinez Resly of the FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel.

    Additional information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts may be found at http://www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA News: 100 DAYS OF HOAXES: Cutting Through the Fake News

    Source: The White House

    Since President Donald J. Trump took office 100 days ago, it has been a nonstop deluge of hoaxes and lies from Democrats and their allies in the Fake News suffering from terminal cases of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

    In no particular order, here are some of the most egregious hoaxes peddled by the usual suspects so far in President Trump’s second term:

    • HOAX: Fake News CNN attempted to “fact check” President Trump’s claim that the Biden Administration spent millions on “making mice transgender.”
    • FACT: After their so-called “fact check” was thoroughly debunked, they were forced to update it in disgrace and admit the claim was, in fact, true.
    • HOAX: The Fake News claimed the Department of Defense removed Gen. Colin Powell’s name from a list of notable Americans buried at Arlington Cemetery.
    • FACT: No service members’ names were removed from that section — and Gen. Powell’s name remains among those listed.
    • HOAX: Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) claimed “no president” presided over more plane crashes during their first month in office as President Trump.
    • FACT: “There were 55 aviation accidents in the U.S. between Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 21, 2021, and Feb. 17, 2021, compared to 35 during the same period for Trump,” Fox News reported.
    • HOAX: Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL) and Chicago Public Schools officials claimed, without bothering to verify, that ICE agents had conducted a “raid” at an elementary school — a false claim echoed by media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune.
    • FACT: It was actually the U.S. Secret Service investigating a threat unrelated to immigration.
    • HOAX: Far-left influencers and other leftist hacks falsely claimed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and Elon Musk were out to “cut Social Security.”
    • FACT: They were referencing an interview in which Musk was clearly referring to the tremendous amount of waste, fraud, and abuse within entitlement programs.
    • HOAX: The media smeared DOGE as “young, inexperienced engineers” engineering a “government takeover.”
    • FACT: In reality, DOGE is led by seasoned industry professionals, including successful CEOs who paused their lives to aid in the effort of streamlining government and holding the bureaucracy accountable.
    • HOAX: NBC’s Peter Alexander peddled the lie that “constituents in some traditionally red districts” were unhappy with President Trump’s effort to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in government.
    • FACT: The same “protests” cited by the Fake News were funded and organized by far-left special interest groups.
    • HOAX: NPR claimed NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore — who were stuck on the International Space Station for more than nine months following problems with their spacecraft — were “not stranded.”
    • FACT: NPR itself had described the astronauts as stranded in prior reporting, and only seemed to take issue with the description once President Trump and Elon Musk made it a priority to bring them home.
    • HOAX: A foreign Fake News outlet reported that President Trump “shut down” the British prime minister during a news conference.
    • FACT: In reality, President Trump was simply moving on from a reporter who was trying to goad the two leaders into division.
    • HOAX: NPR falsely claimed the White House was actively searching for a new secretary of defense.
    • FACT: This lie was immediately shut down by multiple Trump Administration officials, including President Trump himself.
    • HOAX: The Fake News attempted to paint illegal immigrant gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia as an innocent “Maryland father” who was unjustly deported by the Trump Administration — and actively censored the truth about him.
    • FACT: Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador and was deported to his home country amid overwhelming evidence of his gang affiliation.
    • HOAX: Deranged “filmmaker” Michael Moore questioned whether deported illegal immigrants would go on to cure cancer or stop “that asteroid (sic) that’s gonna hit us.”
    • FACT: Moore’s statement was a strong early contender for the dumbest, most ridiculous statement of the year considering those deported illegal immigrants were violent criminals.
    • HOAX: The Fake News portrayed Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Hamas radical who led violent protests at Columbia, as an innocent graduate student with an absolute right to remain in the U.S.
    • FACT: An immigration judge ruled Khalil — who is not a U.S. citizen — can be deported.
    • HOAX: The Financial Times reported that Senior White House Counselor Peter Navarro wanted to remove Canada from the “Five Eyes” intelligence sharing network.
    • FACT: Mr. Navarro immediately shut down this fake story.
    • HOAX: A foreign Fake News reporter claimed President Trump referred to European nations as “parasites.”
    • FACT: President Trump immediately pushed back on this ridiculous claim — as did the Italian prime minister.
    • HOAX: Fake News CNN’s Brianna Keilar implied the Trump Administration was somehow wrong for stopping illegal immigrants from stealing taxpayer dollars in the form of welfare benefits.
    • FACT: Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller summarily embarrassed her with the facts: “The federal government will find EVERY illegal alien who is stealing American taxpayer dollars — and that’s what Americans expect to happen. I don’t even fathom the premise of your question.”
    • HOAX: A favorite refrain of the Fake News is that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is “anti-vaccine.”
    • FACT: Kennedy debunked the lie in his confirmation hearings: “This has been repeatedly debunked … Bringing this up right now is dishonest.”
    • HOAX: WIRED falsely claimed the Social Security Administration is “shifting its public communication exclusively to X” under President Trump.
    • FACT: Not happening.
    • HOAX: Reuters falsely reported that the Trump Administration “stalled a United Nations program in Mexico aimed at stopping imported fentanyl chemicals from reaching the country’s drug cartels.”
    • FACT: The Department of State is actually trying to expand the initiative.
    • FACT: The Fake News frequently pushed the lie that as part of the Trump administration, Secretary Kennedy would implement a national abortion ban and “restrict or even ban medication abortion without a single act of Congress.”
    • FACT: Secretary Kennedy consistently pledged to implement President Trump’s policies — which include leaving abortion to the states, ending barbaric late-term abortions, protecting conscientious objections, and ending federal funding for abortions.
    • HOAX: Fake News savant Tara Palmeri falsely reported that President Trump’s proposal for Gaza was conceived by Jared Kushner.
    • FACT: This lie was immediately and summarily debunked by the Trump Administration: “The worst reporter in America makes up fake news for clout because she has no real sources. Sit down, dummy.”
    • HOAX: Sen. Chris Murphy, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and media outlets claimed President Trump’s directive to pause radical, wasteful government spending meant an end to Medicaid, food assistance, and other individual assistance programs.
    • FACT: Individual assistance programs — Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, etc. — were explicitly excluded, as was made clear by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and the Office of Management and Budget. Only unnecessary spending — DEI, Green New Scam, NGOs that undermine the national interest — were included in the directive.
    • HOAX: A “physicians advocacy group” was widely cited as opposing President Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
    • FACT: The “advocacy group” was really an astroturfed partisan organization funded by prominent left-wing donors — and accepted fake signatures.
    • HOAX: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and other Democrats pushed the lie that DOGE posted “classified information” on their website.
    • FACT: That alleged “classified information” was really just an employment headcount — which has been publicly available for years.
    • HOAX: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) claimed Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem called all Venezuelan immigrants “dirtbags.”
    • FACT: Secretary Noem actually called illegal immigrant members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang “dirtbags,” which is true.
    • HOAX: The New York Times wrote that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., wanted to “ban fluoride in drinking water” and “reverse … one of the most important public health practices in the country’s history.”
    • FACT: New York Times made no mention of their own reporting that fluoride may be “linked to lower IQ scores in children.”
    • HOAX: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) repeatedly lied about President Trump “going after” Social Security.
    • FACT: President Trump has repeatedly pledged to protect Social Security and make it more robust for American citizens.
    • HOAX: Sen. Mark Kelley (D-AZ) attempted to scare veterans by shamelessly claiming their care was in jeopardy due to “layoffs” at VA hospitals.
    • FACT: The lie was debunked by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins: “What changes are you talking about? We’ve not had those layoffs… I put $360 million back into community care… It’s concerning to me that a veteran would actually tell stories to veterans that are not true.”
    • HOAX: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) exploited the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport plane crash tragedy by claiming President Trump “froze the hiring” of air traffic controllers.
    • FACT: Air traffic controllers were exempt from the federal hiring freeze.
    • HOAX: Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) implied that “cutting” members of an aviation advisory committee was somehow a cause of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport plane crash tragedy.
    • FACT: The advisory group hadn’t met since 2023 and was comprised of business and union leaders who gave “advice” to the TSA and had nothing to do with actual air travel.
    • HOAX: A far-left writer claimed Elon Musk and DOGE staffers “illegally installed a commercial server to control federal HR databases that contain sensitive personal information, including SSNs, home addresses, and medical histories.”
    • FACT: A top official confirmed “there’s nothing illegal and no server, just more made up tall tales from uninformed career bureaucrats.”
    • HOAX: The Washington Post alleged the Trump Administration was setting “quotas” for immigration authorities — and gave the administration just four minutes to comment before publishing.
    • FACT: As usual, this was a fake story.
    • HOAX: Online liberal activists claimed President Trump “took down” President Obama’s portrait in the White House.
    • FACT: Obama’s portrait was not taken down — it was simply moved only feet away from its previous location.
    • HOAX: Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) claimed Attorney General Pam Bondi created a “weaponizing task force.”
    • FACT: It was a task force to END weaponization at the Department of Justice.
    • HOAX: CBS News reported that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered a “makeup studio” be installed inside the Pentagon.
    • FACT: It was a “totally fake story,” and the alleged studio was really an existing green room with no frills.
    • HOAX: Politico reported the Trump Administration was debating lifting sanctions on Russian energy assets, including the Nord Stream pipeline.
    • FACT: This was debunked by both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
    • HOAX: An illegal immigrant in U.S. custody “simply disappeared,” The New York Times reported.
    • FACT: The illegal immigrant was a confirmed member of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang. An immigration judge ordered his removal, and he was deported along with other threats to national security.
    • HOAX: The Wall Street Journal alleged that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was receiving sensitive information on a personal phone while in Moscow and that Russian Intelligence must’ve had access to the information.
    • FACT: This was a total fabrication. Special Envoy Witkoff did not even have a personal phone with him in Russia. He had only a government phone; a secure line of communication.
    • HOAX: The Wall Street Journal claimed the Trump Administration “sought to portray” deported criminal illegal immigrant gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia as “violent.”
    • FACT: Abrego Garcia’s own wife filed an order of protection against him and testified that he brutally beat her.
    • HOAX: An AP reporter claimed that FAA staff who worked on “radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance, among others” were “harassed on Facebook” by DOGE.
    • FACT: That was a total lie. DOGE doesn’t have a Facebook page and no professionals who perform critical safety functions were fired.
    • HOAX: The Daily Beast claimed Vice President JD Vance “broke one of the most notorious Vatican rules during his Easter weekend visit” by being photographed in the Sistine Chapel.
    • FACT: Buried all the way down in the 14th paragraph, The Daily Beast admitted the vice president was given special permission by the Vatican to have photographs taken inside the Sistine Chapel.
    • HOAX: Left-wing social media accounts promoted fake, AI-generated audio of Vice President Vance “disparaging Elon Musk in private.”
    • FACT: The audio was debunked as fake.
    • HOAX: The New York Times reported that funding for the Women’s Health Initiative was being slashed by the Department of Health and Human Services.
    • FACT: Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., himself declared this Fake News and recognized the project is “mission critical.”
    • HOAX: Fox News’s Jennifer Griffin gave legitimacy to a hoax from delusional Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requested nearly $140,000 in “upgrades” to his government residence.
    • FACT: This lie was debunked by Secretary Hegseth — and it was so outrageous, even the AP was forced to admit it was completely fake.
    • HOAX: Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and many others claimed the Supreme Court ordered the return of illegal immigrant gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States.
    • FACT: Even CNN admitted that’s not what happened: “They did not order the administration to return him to the United States … they could’ve said ‘we order him returned,’ but they didn’t do that.”
    • HOAX: Joe Biden accused the Trump Administration of “taking aim at Social Security.”
    • FACT: As usual, he was lying — President Trump has repeatedly pledged to protect Social Security.
    • HOAX: Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) claimed the arrest of a Milwaukee judge who helped an illegal immigrant evade arrest was “unprecedented.”
    • FACT: It wasn’t; it has happened before.
    • HOAX: Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called the arrest of a Milwaukee judge who helped an illegal immigrant evade arrest a “gravely serious and drastic move.”
    • FACT: The judge violated the law by obstructing an ICE arrest of an illegal immigrant.
    • HOAX: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) claimed the arrest of the Milwaukee judge who obstructed an apprehension of a criminal illegal immigrant “threatens the rule of law.”
    • FACT: It literally does the opposite because no one is above the law.
    • HOAX: Politico claimed the Trump Administration “wipe[d] out firefighter health and safety programs.”
    • FACT: The programs remain a top priority for the administration — and will remain intact.
    • HOAX: Sen. Elizabeth Warren claimed that President Trump’s policies make it so “no one wants to make investments in the United States.”
    • FACT: President Trump has secured more than $5 trillion in investments since taking office, which is expected to create more than 451,000 new jobs — and the list is only expected to grow.
    • HOAX: NBC’s Kristen Welker peddled a Fake News hoax that the Trump Administration was deporting children.
    • FACT: Secretary of State Marco Rubio shut down her desperate attempt at a hoax by highlighting how the mother, who was in the country illegally, made that choice all on her own.
    • HOAX: The New York Times implied President Trump was alone in wearing a blue suit to the funeral of Pope Francis.
    • FACT: Photos show dozens of world leaders and other attendees — many situated near President Trump — also wearing blue clothing.
    • HOAX: Teachers’ union boss Randi Weingarten accused President Trump of taking teachers’ salaries and giving them to “billionaires” by cutting the Department of Education.
    • FACT: President Trump has repeatedly called teachers “the most important people in this country” who should be paid more, not less. The federal government does not pay the salaries of teachers; state and local governments do.
    • HOAX: The Fake News and their predictable allies ran with a story that claimed an American citizen was detained by authorities after he informed them he was, in fact, a citizen.
    • FACT: That’s not what happened. The individual “approached Border Patrol in Tucson and stated he had entered the U.S. illegally through Nogales. He said he wanted to turn himself in and completed a sworn statement identifying as a Mexican citizen who had entered unlawfully … A few days later, his family presented documents showing U.S. citizenship. The charges were dismissed, and he was released to his family.”
    • HOAX: PBS News claimed “DOGE operatives attempted to gain access to secure spaces,” implying they attempted to access classified information without approval.
    • FACT: This wasn’t even remotely true.
    • HOAX: The AP falsely claimed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said President Trump is “very good friends” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
    • FACT: The AP was humiliatingly forced to retract its story, admitting they were wrong. Stephanie Ruhle also had to issue a correction. DNI Gabbard was referencing President Trump’s relationship with Indian PM Narendra Modi.
    • HOAX: Student visa holders should have unfettered access to do whatever they want in the United States.
    • FACT: Wrong. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest… If you tell us when you apply for a visa ‘I’m coming to the U.S. to participate in pro-Hamas events,’ that runs counter to the foreign policy interest of the United States… If you had told us you were going to do that, we never would have given you the visa.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan Man Pleads Guilty to Harboring an Unlawful Alien that Illegally Crossed from Canada into the United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                CONCORD – A Guatemalan man pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to transporting an unlawful alien, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

                Esdras Aaron Calel-Cumes, 29, a Guatemalan man unlawfully residing in Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to one count of Bringing in and Harboring Certain Aliens. U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for August 11, 2025.

                According to the charging documents, on September 9, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected a male, subsequently identified as Luis Felipe Xiloj-Ambrocio, crossing illegally from Canada to the United States in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Calel-Cumes traveled from Massachusetts to pick up Xiloj-Ambrocio. At the time of their apprehension by Customs and Border Protection, Calel-Cumes and Xiloj-Ambrocio were driving south on U.S. Route 3. 

               Neither Xiloj-Ambrocio nor Calel-Cumes have legal immigration status in the United States. Xiloj-Ambrocio previously pleaded guilty in the District of New Hampshire to one count of illegal entry and has been deported. Calel-Cumes faces deportation to Guatemala after completing his sentence.

                The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 5 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

                U.S. Customs and Border Protection led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: 25 Members of a Violent Gang in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On April 9, 2025, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 25 violent gang members from the municipality of Mayagüez with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, possession and distribution of controlled substances, and firearms violations, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) Mayagüez Strike Force were in charge of the investigation of the case, with the collaboration of the United States Marshal Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Response Team (SRT), and the Guaynabo Municipal Police SRT collaborated during the arrests.

    “The prosecution of this drug trafficking gang demonstrates our determined efforts to protect our communities from the violent crime and gun violence they bring to our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “Our prosecutors will continue to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to make our neighborhoods safe and bring criminals to justice.”

    “Today, we sent a clear message: violence, drugs, and organized crime will find no safe haven in Puerto Rico,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Thanks to the courage of our Special Agents and Police of Puerto Rico Task Force Officers, with the unwavering support of our federal partners, we disrupted a criminal network that terrorized our communities for years. The FBI remains fully committed to protecting our people, restoring peace to our neighborhoods, and holding violent offenders accountable.”

    The indictment alleges that from in or about April 2021 through the present, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), cocaine, and marihuana within 1,000 feet of Rafael Hernández (Kennedy) Public Housing Project (PHP), the Manuel Hernández Rosa (Candelaria PHP), the El Carmen (PHP), and other areas nearby nearby the municipality of Mayagüez, all for significant financial gain and profit.

    The goal of the drug trafficking organization was to maintain control of all the drug trafficking activities within the controlled areas using force, threats, violence, and intimidation.  In preserving power and protecting territory, the members of the organization incurred in violent acts including but not limited to murder in order to protect themselves and their organization. Members of the criminal organization also transported and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine.

    As part of the conspiracy, the defendants had meetings to discuss strategy and plan of their criminal activities, including but not limited to acts of violence. The co-conspirators held meetings to discuss drug trafficking business and issues between gang members. During said meetings, incarcerated defendants and co-conspirators would participate via phone call. The defendants and their co-conspirators used violence to take over other areas and sell their own narcotics at those areas to increase their power and profits.

    The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, to include: leaders, drug point owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, drug processors, lookouts, and facilitators. The members of the gang used force, violence, and intimidation to intimidate rival drug trafficking organizations, and to discipline members of their own organization. The defendants charged in the drug trafficking conspiracy are:

    [1] Jonathan Martínez González, a.k.a. “J/El Brother”

    [2] Isaías Jaseph Molina Valle, a.k.a. “Simio/Simi”

    [3] Juan A. Ortiz Mendoza, a.k.a. “Abuelo/Abu/Ablo”

    [4] Fernando Manuel Torres Ruiz, a.k.a. “La M”

    [5] Jonathan Enrique Rodríguez Acosta, a.k.a. “John Pri/Pri”

    [6] Franschesca M. Rivera-Valle, a.k.a. “Cheska”

    [7] Joseph G. Ríos Vélez

    [8] Jomael Enrique Aponte Rivera, a.k.a. “Farru”

    [9] Abdiel Sánchez Negrón

    [10] Michael J. Marrero García, a.k.a. “Michael El Pato”

    [11] Héctor A. Rosado Matías, a.k.a. “Bebo/Bebito”

    [12] Christopher Santiago Rivera, a.k.a. “Gato”

    [13] Jesus D. Rodríguez Soto, a.k.a. “John”

    [14] Luis Joel Couret Clas, a.k.a. “Shaggy”

    [15] Julio E. Mangual Vargas, a.k.a. “Julio Maraña”

    [16] Fredwin Yomar Álvarez, a.k.a. “Bombilla”

    [17] Héctor M. Cotto Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Tello”

    [18] Ezequiel Soto Bonilla, a.k.a. “Bigote”

    [19] Carlos Mikel Rodríguez Núñez, a.k.a. “Mikel/Fosforito”

    [20] Carlos Obed La Llave Otero, a.k.a. “Security/El Gordo”

    [21] Michael Concepción Soto

    [22] Héctor Javier Surita Muñiz, a.k.a. “Coquito/Surita”

    [23] Merchisede Rivera Pérez, a.k.a. “Merquisedec Rivera Pérez/Melchicede Rivera Pérez/El Negro/Melqui”

    [24] José C. Colón-Félix, a.k.a. “Fresita”

    [25] Antonio M. López Olivencia, a.k.a. “Delivery”

    Fifteen defendants are charged in Count Seven with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and seven of those defendants are facing one count of possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    The FBI thanks the PRPB Mayagüez Strike Force for their assistance in this investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort, Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares, and AUSAs Laura Díaz González, and Héctor Siaca Flores are prosecuting the case. If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in Count Seven, the defendants face a minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life in prison. The defendants charged with possession of machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking in Count Eight face a mandatory sentence of thirty years in prison to be served consecutive to any sentence imposed on the drug trafficking charges. All defendants charged in the drug conspiracy are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of $19,710,000.

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

    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 –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Individuals Charged with Attempted Kidnapping of Man in Mayagüez

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On April 24, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging five individuals with conspiracy to kidnap and the attempted kidnapping of a man in Mayagüez on July 12, 2024, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico and Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office.

    According to the Indictment, beginning on a date unknown, but not later than on or about May 21, 2024, to on or about July 12, 2024, defendants  [1] Edilberto Aponte-Sánchez, [2] Anthony Esquilín-Guzmán, [3] Ramdy Kaleb Ocasio-Pagán, [4] Jocner Martínez-Correa, and [5] Dylan Camacho-Álvarez conspired and agreed with each other to unlawfully and willfully kidnap, abduct, or carry away and hold for ransom, reward, or otherwise, H.R.G. by using means, facility, or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce in committing or in furtherance of the commission of the offense, namely motor vehicles, messaging applications, and cellular telephones in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201(c). The defendants are also charged with the attempted kidnapping of the victim (H.R.G.) in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(d) and 2.

    On July 12, 2024, the defendants attempted to kidnap the victim (H.R.G.) from a parking lot in Mayagüez by trying to force him into a van. The victim fought back, and the defendants fled the scene.

    “I commend the tireless efforts of the FBI, Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and prosecutors in the investigation of this case,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “This case reinforces the importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times — whether you are leaving the bank or ATM after making a withdrawal of money, putting gasoline in your car, or just walking down the street while texting on your cell phone. If you see something that doesn’t look right, trust your instincts.”

    “Violence in our communities will never be tolerated,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will relentlessly investigate those who prey on innocent people — wherever they hide, however long it takes.”

    If convicted, the defendants face a sentence of up to life in prison as to the conspiracy to commit kidnapping and up to twenty years in prison for the attempted kidnapping. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) and Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit Jeanette Collazo and AUSA Corinne Cordero Romo are in charge of the prosecution of the case.

    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 –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Dismisses Half Century Old Louisiana Consent Decree

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    In 1966, the United States sued Plaquemines Parish School Board seeking to desegregate its schools. By 1975, the Court found the schools had been properly integrated, but the case was never removed from the Court system. Thus, for nearly a half century the case remained open.  

    That ended today. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon righted a historical wrong, freeing the local school district of federal oversight. For decades, the Parish was forced to yield to the demands of past Administrations, unnecessarily subjecting schools and students to probing federal oversight.

    “No longer will the Plaquemines Parish School Board have to devote precious local resources over an integration issue that ended two generations ago,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This is a prime example of neglect by past administrations, and we’re now getting America refocused on our bright future.”

    “Louisiana got its act together decades ago, and it is past time to acknowledge how far we have come,” said Leo Terrell, Senior Counsel to the Civil Rights Division. “America is back, and this Department of Justice is making sure the Civil Rights Division is correcting wrongs from the past and working for all Americans.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump says diversity initiatives undermine merit. Decades of research show this is flawed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paula McDonald, Professor of Work and Organisation, Queensland University of Technology

    Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

    US President Donald Trump declared earlier this year he would forge a “colour blind and merit-based society”.

    His executive order was part of a broader policy directing the US military, federal agencies and other public institutions to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

    Framing this as restoring fairness, neutrality and strength to American institutions, Trump argued DEI programs “discourage merit and leadership” and amounted to “race-based and sex-based discrimination”.

    In Australia too, debates over gender quotas and “the war on woke” have repeatedly invoked meritocracy as a rallying cry against affirmative action.

    The narrative of rewards going to the most qualified people is compelling. Yet decades of research show this is flawed. Far from being the great equaliser, an uncritical reliance on “merit” can perpetuate bias and inequality.

    The myths of meritocracy

    The merit rhetoric invokes the ideal of a neutral, objective system rewarding talent and effort, regardless of identity.

    In theory, merit-based evaluations such as exams, performance reviews, employee recruitment processes and competitive bids, should be impartial.

    In practice however, there are several myths associated with the notion of merit.

    1. Merit is purely objective or unbiased. In the employment context for example, studies show that even so-called objective and standardised cognitive or aptitude tests can systematically favour men due to the type of questions asked.

    Decision-makers may unknowingly redefine merit to fit whoever already belongs to a favoured group. A study of elite law firms, for example, found male applicants were rated as more qualified than identical resumes from women.

    This is known as “plasticity of merit”, meaning the criteria of excellence can bend to preference, all while appearing objective.

    Supposedly merit-based judgments can reflect unconscious bias, or comfort with candidates who fit a traditional mould. Over time, preference may be given to a particular type of candidate irrespective of their actual contribution. Privilege and prejudice can be baked into merit-based evaluations.

    2. Merit can be separated from social and historical context. Meritocracy or the so-called meritocratic promise assumes a level playing field, where everyone competes under the same conditions.

    In reality however, past inequalities shape present opportunities. What counts as merit is dynamic and socially shaped, not an eternal universal standard.

    For example, during the second world war there was a shortage of male workers. Qualities women brought to jobs previously held by men such as capacity for teamwork were suddenly deemed meritorious. But these same qualities were downgraded when the men returned.

    Merit is often defined in masculine terms. For example, physicality or hyper-competitive traits have long been seen as prerequisites for military service and policing.

    Merit is often defined in masculine terms commonly associated with military, policing and firefighting services.
    Charnsitr/Shutterstock

    This alignment of masculine norms with standards of merit has been termed “benchmark man”.

    Science careers too were built in an era when women were largely excluded. They were predicated on long-hours work and total availability – requirements that clash with caregiving responsibilities. The result is women in STEM careers leave or are pushed out.

    3. Outcomes are the result of personal choice or deficiencies, not structural barriers. Meritocracy carries a moral narrative: those at the top earned their place while those left behind didn’t measure up or chose not to compete.

    Research shows, for example, that when women don’t advance, it’s explained as lifestyle choices, or they lack ambition, or have opted out to prioritise caregiving.

    This narrative wilfully overlooks the structural constraints impacting choices. When a woman “chooses” a lower-paying, flexible job, it may be less about preference than inadequate social supports.

    By accepting unequal outcomes as the natural result of individual choices, institutions can conveniently obscure disadvantage and discrimination and erase responsibility to correct inequities.

    How the merit mandate undermines equality

    Trump’s vision is to remove equity initiatives and programs that monitor or encourage fair hiring and promotion, cease training that alerts employees to hidden biases, and fire or reassign DEI staff.

    This is conceptually flawed and will actually entrench the very biases and barriers that have kept institutions unequal.

    In the military, for example – an area highlighted by Trump – leaders have recognised they need to foster more inclusive cultures.

    For years, defence forces have grappled with sexual harassment, recruitment shortfalls and retention of skilled personnel. In Australia, the Australian Defence Force undertook major reviews to identify violent and sexist subcultures, understanding a more inclusive force is a more effective force.

    Yet Trump’s order bars the Pentagon from even acknowledging historical sexism in the ranks.

    Favouring the in-group

    Removing equity measures under a banner of neutrality means hiring and promotion will increasingly rely on informal networks and subjective judgements. These can tilt in favour of the in-group – usually white, male and affluent.

    DEI initiatives can increase representation of women, or people from diverse racial or cultural backgrounds, in an organisation or occupational group.

    However, without challenging the norms of merit, or without broadening the definitions of talent and leadership, people in those groups may continue to feel like outsiders.

    Australian experts and business leaders increasingly acknowledge objective merit is mythical.

    Redefining merit

    Fair rewards for effort can improve performance. However, we need to stop pitting merit against diversity. True fairness requires acknowledgement structural inequality exists and bias affects evaluations.

    Organisations need to re-imagine merit in ways that work with inclusion, rather than against it. This includes refining hiring and promotion criteria to focus on competencies that are measurable and relevant.

    Paula McDonald currently receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Trump says diversity initiatives undermine merit. Decades of research show this is flawed – https://theconversation.com/trump-says-diversity-initiatives-undermine-merit-decades-of-research-show-this-is-flawed-255100

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Shelburne — Shelburne RCMP Detachment charge a man and recover stolen vehicle

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Shelburne RCMP Detachment has charged a man with multiple offences after responding to a report of a stolen truck.

    On April 25 at approximately 9:40 a.m., Shelburne RCMP Detachment responded to a report of a stolen GMC Sierra truck in the Jordan Falls area. During the investigation, officers identified two people of interest.

    Officers later received an unrelated report of two people on foot off Morvan Rd. near Shelburne. The two matched the descriptions of the people of interest. Investigators, including an RCMP Police Service Dog, conducted patrols in the area immediately. When one of the people was located, officers learned the other person may be in possession of a firearm.

    The Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and RCMP Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) operators were dispatched to assist.

    At approximately 12:40 p.m., officers located the stolen vehicle abandoned on a side road near Shelburne. The officers seized evidence to support the investigation and returned it to its owner.

    Through the investigation, officers identified the suspect as Joseph Hayden, 34, of Jordan Ferry, and learned he was at a home on Sandy Point Rd. in Shelburne. Officers from Shelburne RCMP Detachment and ERT attended and safely arrested Hayden outside the home.

    Hayden has been charged with six offences including Motor Vehicle Theft, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Unauthorized Possession of Firearm, and Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized. He had a first court appearance on April 26 and was remanded into custody.

    The other person identified as part of the investigation was arrested and will face a charge of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. They were released pending an upcoming court appearance.

    Hayden was not in possession of a firearm at the time of his arrest. Officers are continuing the investigation and conducting checks to determine if a firearm seized on April 28 at an unrelated call was also used during this incident.

    Shelburne RCMP Detachment appreciated cooperation from the public as officers made attempts to locate the suspect and the stolen vehicle.

    The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact Shelburne RCMP Detachment at 902-875-2490. 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 –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Hidalgo county man receives 30 years for recording sexual abuse of minor on cellphone

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for production of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Jacob Ryan Arredondo, McAllen, pleaded guilty Nov. 27, 2023.

    U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now sentenced Arredondo to 360 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including how Arredondo took advantage of his relationship with the victim in order to sexually abuse him. The minor kept the secret for two years because of that relationship and because he feared Arredondo due to his size and age. Arredondo will serve 15 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. 

    “The defendant’s heinous conduct will undoubtedly leave a lasting scar on his victim, and so it’s only fitting that he received the 30-year sentence he did,” said Ganjei. “Arredondo won’t be able exploit children from behind bars, and he’ll have a good, long time to think about the consequences of his actions.”

    “Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) is resolute in its mission to combat online crimes that target children,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Mark Lippa. “This sentence marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect young people from harm, and we will continue to pursue those who engage in these harmful activities.” 

    Arredondo came to the attention of authorities after a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in August 2023. A Google account had uploaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of minor males. The investigation revealed the identity of one of those victims. 

    He admitted to sexually abusing the minor and recording it on his cell phone. A forensic examination of his phone revealed a total of 234 images and seven videos of the victim. 

    The abuse began when the minor was only 10 years old and it continued for two years.  

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourteen Members of a Jefferson County Drug Trafficking Organization Charged with Federal Drug and Gun Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An indictment charging 14 defendants in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin was unsealed today. Eight of the defendants were arrested today and five defendants were already in custody on other offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

    A 59-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Eddie Jerry Jones, a.k.a. “Boss,” 47, of Fairfield, Alabama, Marcus Dewayne Johnson, a.k.a. “Moon,” 56, of Hoover, Alabama, Larry Denzel Rollins, Jr., a.k.a. “King” and “Blo,” 25, of Forestdale, Alabama, LaNicholas Demarco Rollins, 30, of Forestdale, Alabama, Zachary Holmes, a.k.a. “Stakks,” 31, of Birmingham, David Will Jones, 47, of Fairfield, Alabama, Juan Miguel Nation, 21, of Birmingham, Juan Pierre Nation, 50, of Birmingham, Cordero Reid, a.k.a. “Kojacc” 36, of Birmingham, Demetrius Emmanuel Preyer, 48, of Pleasant Grove, Alabama, Devante Marquis McKinney, a.k.a. “The Barber,” 37, of Birmingham, Marcus Orlandeo Bogus, a.k.a. “The Mechanic,” 55, of Center Point, Alabama, and Otis Kenneth Myree Hudson, 33, of Birmingham, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine base or “crack” cocaine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana between January 2021 and March 2025. The indictment also charges all defendants with at least one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking crime.

    McKinney and Rollins, Jr. are also charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  The minimum prison sentence for this charge is five years in custody, and the sentence must be served after the completion of any other sentence related to the crime.  

    Eddie Jones is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum penalty for this offense is 15 years.

    Eddie Jones, Rollins, Jr, and Holmes were in custody on capital murder charges pending in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Alabama. David Jones was in federal custody on pending federal supervised release violations. Reid is serving a life sentence in the Alabama Department of Corrections’ Fountain Correctional Facility for Attempted Murder.

    The maximum penalty for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance is life in prison. 

    Each count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking crime carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

    The indictment also includes special findings of the grand jury regarding the amount of narcotics attributable to various defendants as part of the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

    “My office, along with our federal, state, and local partners, are committed to relentlessly investigate and prosecute drug trafficking organizations in our District, particularly those that distribute deadly fentanyl into the community and use firearms to commit their crimes,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “This case involved an immense amount of collaboration and dedication from our law enforcement partners and underscores the impact of the OCDETF program’s multi-agency approach.” 

    “The 59-count indictment underscores the unwavering commitment of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks that threaten our communities,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer. “While these charges were filed in the Northern District of Alabama, the ripple effects of such widespread drug distribution reach far beyond those borders. We will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who seek profit from the sale of these dangerous substances and bring them to justice.”

    “Drug trafficking and the prevalence of gun violence continue to plague the United States at alarming rates,” said ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz. “The ATF will continue to work with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and charge those individuals who commit violent acts and distribute large amounts of narcotics throughout the communities that we serve.”

    “Criminals trafficking illegal drugs in our communities have a profound negative effect on Americans’ quality of life,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS-CI Atlanta Field Office. “The 59-count indictment filed today is an outcome of IRS Criminal Investigation special agents, our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office working together to break up drug trafficking organizations that pose a threat to the United States.”  

    “Today’s actions demonstrate the FBI’s persistence in combating violent crime in our communities,” said FBI Birmingham Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher DiMenna. “We will continue to strengthen and grow our federal, state, and local partnerships to meet our mission and to ensure the safety and security of the American people.”

    “Today’s indictments reflect the commitment and collaboration of our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle major drug-trafficking networks that threaten the safety of our communities,” said Birmingham Chief of Police Michael Pickett. “We will continue to pursue those who distribute dangerous narcotics with relentless focus and determination. I commend the dedication of all the investigators, agents, and prosecutors who made this operation a success.”

    The DEA, ATF, IRS, FBI, and the Birmingham Police Department Narcotics and Homicide units investigated the case, along with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, Alabama Department of Corrections, Hoover Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison J. Garnett, Brett A. Janich, and Kristy M. Peoples are prosecuting the case.

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

    An indictment contains only charges.  Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Dubuque Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Gun Possession

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    A man who possessed a firearm as a felon pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Nicholas David Welter, age 32, from Dubuque, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

    In a plea agreement, Welter admitted that on October 18, 2024, law enforcement officers found him while he was sitting in a vehicle in Dubuque.  There was a loaded stolen firearm near his feet.  Welter admitted that he possessed the gun.  Welter has prior felony convictions for theft second degree and burglary third degree.   

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

    Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Welter remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing.  Welter faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 25-CR-1001.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: New Haven Man Guilty of Offenses Stemming from Pandemic Robbery Spree

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that on April 28, 2025, a federal jury in New Haven found WILLIAM ROSARIO LOPEZ, 39, of New Haven, guilty of offenses related to his commission of several armed robberies of Connecticut gas stations in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    According to the evidence presented during the trial:

    On March 18, 2020, Rosario Lopez entered the Shell Gas Station located at 1302 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon.  Wearing a black mask, he pointed a small silver pistol at the store employee, grabbed him by the collar, directed him to walk to the cash register, and struck him in the back of the head as they were walking to the cash register.  After the employee provided Rosario Lopez with cash from the register, Rosario Lopez ordered the employee to lay on the floor and then fled the store.

    On March 22, 2020, at approximately 10 p.m., Rosario Lopez entered the Fleet Gas Station located at 1611 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike in Southington.  Wearing a surgical-type mask, he pointed a silver pistol at the store employee and demanded money.  The employee provided Rosario Lopez with a small amount of cash and, after explaining that all the money was already in the safe and that he did not know the combination, Rosario Lopez kicked the employee, ordered him to lay on the floor, and then fled the store.

    On March 22, 2020, approximately one hour after the Southington robbery, Rosario Lopez entered the Shell Gas Station located at 883 Hamilton Avenue in Waterbury.  Wearing a surgical-type mask, he pointed a small silver pistol at the store employee and demanded money.  After the employee opened the cash register and provided cash to Rosario Lopez, Rosario Lopez ordered the employee to lay on the floor and then fled the store.

    On March 23, 2020, less than two hours after the Waterbury robbery, Rosario Lopez entered the Shell Gas Station located at 696 Main Street in Ansonia.  Wearing a surgical-type mask, he pointed a small silver pistol at the store employee, demanded money and threatened to shoot the employee.  After the employee was unable to open the cash register quickly, Rosario Lopez fired one round in the direction of employee and then fled.  The employee was not struck by the projectile.

    On March 26, 2020, Rosario Lopez entered the Citgo Gas Station located at 788 West Main Street in New Britain.  Wearing a surgical-type mask, he waited for another customer to leave the store, approached the counter, pointed a small silver pistol at the store employee and demanded money.  The employee opened the cash register and Rosario Lopez took cash from the register drawer.  Rosario then fled the store.

    Solimar Rodriguez Gonzalez acted as a “lookout” in at least two of the robberies, and she is depicted on store video surveillance just prior to the robberies that occurred in Vernon and Waterbury.

    Rosario Lopez and Gonzalez were arrested on April 9, 2020.  In association with their arrests, investigators searched a vehicle they used during the robberies and recovered a silver .25 caliber semiautomatic pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition.

    Rosario Lopez’s criminal history includes convictions in New York for attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon, and convictions in Puerto Rico for importation and unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, threatening a witness, and aggravated robbery.

    On April 28, 2025, the jury found Rosario Lopez guilty of four counts of obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery), one count of attempted obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery, and one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  At sentencing, he faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 28 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life.

    Rosario Lopez has been detained since his arrest.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

    On January 21, 2025, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the obstruction of interstate commerce by robbery.  She awaits sentencing.

    This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Vernon, Southington, Waterbury, Ansonia, New Britain, New Haven, and Guilford Police Departments.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth L. Gresham, Robert S. Ruff, and Daniel P. Gordon.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Mercedes man who downloaded child sexual abuse material sentenced to decade in federal prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 41-year-old Mercedes resident has been sentenced for downloading child sexual abuse material (CSAM) using a peer-to-peer program, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Armando Jose Flores Jr. pleaded guilty July 10, 2024, to receipt of child pornography.  

    U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now sentenced Flores to 121 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including information detailing how Flores downloaded and stored 90 GB of CSAM across five devices. The material included over 4,500 images/videos which contained bondage, bestiality and infants/toddlers. Flores will also serve five years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Flores will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date. 

    On Jan. 9, 2024, law enforcement identified a computer making videos of CSAM available for download through a peer-to-peer file-sharing program. Several videos were downloaded and found to depict prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The computer’s IP address was registered to an address belonging to Flores in Mercedes.    

    In February 2024, authorities executed a federal search warrant at his residence and seized four electronic devices. Each contained CSAM downloaded between approximately May 1, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2022.

    Flores admitted to using a peer-to-peer file-sharing program on his computer to download and receive material that contained child pornography at his home. He stated he had been accessing child pornography through peer-to-peer networks for multiple years. 

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    FBI conducted the investigation. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexa D. Parcell is prosecuting the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Primary Healthcare Commission announces suspected intrusion into outsourced network system of operator of Kwai Tsing District Health Centre

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Primary Healthcare Commission (PHC Commission) under the Health Bureau announced yesterday (April 29) that the PHC Commission received notification from the Kwai Tsing Safe Community and Healthy City Association (KTSCHCA), the operator of the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (Kwai Tsing DHC), on April 28 on suspected hacking of its outsourced service provider’s network system, resulting in possible leakage of members’ data. The PHC Commission is highly concerned about the incident, and has instructed the KTSCHCA to seriously follow up and to submit a report within three working days. 
     
         According to the notification from the KTSCHCA, the system involved is managed independently by its outsourced service provider, and is mainly used to assist with administrative work such as service booking or members sign-in at the Kwai Tsing DHC. The outsourced network system was hacked last Sunday (April 27), resulting in possible leakage of members’ data, including names, membership numbers, dates of birth, residential districts (not full addresses) and the first four digits of the Hong Kong Identity Card of some members who have enrolled in a vaccination programme. The KTSCHCA is currently assessing the possible number of members of the Kwai Tsing DHC affected and the data involved.
     
         The PHC Commission noted that the KTSCHCA has reported the incident to the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and has also informed the Digital Policy Office of the incident. As required by the PHC Commission, the KTSCHCA has immediately suspended the operation of the Kwai Tsing DHC’s network system and all external connections to its computer servers to prevent further intrusion attempts by hackers. The KTSCHCA has also commissioned an independent cybersecurity expert to conduct an investigation and review. In view of the system suspension of the DHC, the appointments on blood taking and seasonal influenza vaccination of relevant DHC members will be rescheduled starting from yesterday. The operator of the Kwai Tsing DHC has started to notify the relevant members via phone calls and text messages, and will also inform all its members of the hacking incident. Members of the public may contact the DHC at 1878 222 for enquiries.
     
         The system involved does not have any direct connection with the systems of DHCs/DHC Expresses in other 17 districts in Hong Kong. The operators of other DHCs/DHC Expresses have not outsourced or used the system involved. The PHC Commission has urged the operators of other DHCs/DHC Expresses to review their network systems, including the systems of their outsourced service providers, the computer security risk, and whether any suspicious activities have occurred. The PHC Commission has not received any report of similar incidents. 
     
         Besides, the Kwai Tsing DHC is a registered healthcare provider on eHealth. Currently, it connects to eHealth through the designated clinical management system (CMS) specified by the PHC Commission to assist members in registering with eHealth, managing members’ participation in government-subsidised healthcare programmes and facilitating service referrals, etc. The system involved is independent of both the designated CMS and eHealth, with no direct system interfaces. Investigations also revealed that there was no intrusion into eHealth by hackers or any leakage of personal data from eHealth. However, for prudence’s sake, upon receiving notification of the incident, the Commissioner for the Electronic Health Record (eHRC) has suspended the eHealth registration of the operator concerned, in order to protect data privacy and system security of eHealth. During the suspension period, the Kwai Tsing DHC is unable to access to any electronic health record in eHealth. The eHRC will only resume the connection of Kwai Tsing DHC with eHealth, after conducting a careful assessment of the detailed report submitted by the Kwai Tsing DHC and confirming that the security risks of the system are fully eliminated.
     
         The Government emphasised that it has always attached great importance to cybersecurity. The PHC Commission is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident, including whether the cybersecurity measures of the KTSCHCA are in compliance with the requirements stipulated in the DHC operation contract, and will further strengthen the protection measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IOS SAGAR CONCLUDES PORT CALL AT PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 29 APR 2025 5:12PM by PIB Delhi

    Reinforcing the enduring bond between India and Mauritius, IOS SAGAR made a significant and engaging port call at Port Louis, Mauritius, from 26 to 28 Apr 25, as part of its operational deployment in the Indian Ocean.

    During her harbour visit, the ship’s Commanding Officer called on the Commandant of the Mauritius Coast Guard, reaffirming the commitment to strengthen cooperation between the two maritime forces. Select personnel of the multinational crew visited several key training facilities of the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) , namely the Special Mobile Force Squadron, Maritime Air Squadron, Coast Guard Training School and the Police Helicopter Squadron and interacted with their counterparts. The visit provided a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience and discuss areas of mutual interest in maritime security.

    As part of social activities, an invigorating joint yoga session was organised onboard IOS SAGAR, with participation from the multinational crew and MPF personnel. The Commandant of the National Coast Guard also attended the event. The crew of IOS SAGAR and the MPF also played a friendly volleyball match. IOS SAGAR opened its decks to visitors, welcoming members of the MPF, the Indian diaspora, and other enthusiastic groups. Visitors were given a tour of the ship and briefed on her operational capabilities, navigation systems, and life onboard. In addition, a trek to the iconic Signal Mountain was conducted for the ship’s crew, including the multinational crew.

    On departure from Port Louis, IOS SAGAR is scheduled to undertake a joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance with the Mauritius Coast Guard. Upon completion, the ship will proceed towards its next port of call, Port Victoria, Seychelles, continuing its mission of enhancing maritime security, regional cooperation , and goodwill in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

    _____________________________________________________________

    VM/SKS                                                                                                        95/25

    (Release ID: 2125196) Visitor Counter : 56

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appeal for information on missing man in Tseung Kwan O (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Police today (April 29) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tseung Kwan O.

    Chau Kwai-lun Allen, aged 45, went missing after he was last seen on Tong Ming Street in July, 2024. His family then made a report to Police.
        
    He is about 1.67 metres tall, 59 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen in unknown clothing.

    Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 5632 5537 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Denounce Trump’s Disjointed International Student Visa Revocations That Drives Away Top Talent

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier this month, the Trump Administration abruptly and arbitrarily removed thousands of international students from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS) database, which schools and the federal government use to monitor visa compliance.  Students at Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design were among those reported to be impacted.
    Multi-state litigation was launched on behalf of students and communities nationwide affected by the revocations, and those fearful they could be next, and the courts sided with the international students, forcing the Trump Administration to halt and reverse its wave of visa revocations.  But with uncertainty and concern still high among families and schools, Rhode Island’s two U.S. Senators are taking action to help impacted foreign students and local schools and universities.  The senators also warn President Trump is driving top talent away and harming U.S. interests.
    Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse joined Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and 32 of their Senate colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration to reconsider recent decisions to revoke student visas in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons.
    The 35 U.S. Senators began by urging the Administration to undo unlawful student visa revocations, writing: “We recently learned that your agencies have been revoking student visas and terminating Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records across the country. These actions to end student status reflected an unannounced change in policy and were inconsistent with existing laws, regulations, policies, and agency guidance governing the maintenance and termination of student status—that is why we welcomed the news late last week that in response to litigation around the country, ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations. We now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance and ensure that all future actions to end student status fully comply with the law.”
    The Senators continued by highlighting the lack of reasoning provided in many of these visa revocations, writing: “[S]tudents across the country—who by all accounts appear to have followed all of the applicable laws and agency guidance—have reported visa revocations with no clear explanation as to the basis to terminate status. SEVP has completed at least 4,736 total terminations of student visa holders’ SEVIS records. By DHS’s own admission, the statute and regulations do not provide SEVP the authority to terminate nonimmigrant status by terminating a SEVIS record. Your decision to reverse such terminations is therefore prudent and required by law.”
    The Senators then outlined the Trump Administration’s apparent violation of federal law in revoking these visas, writing: “Current laws, regulations, and agency guidance also require notice to be provided when a student’s status is being terminated or revoked. Here, it is not clear that students were provided the notice required by law. Many students were notified by universities that they have lost their student status when their SEVIS records have been terminated, without being provided any information about potential reinstatement. Some students received emails that their visas were revoked and were directed to self-deport, with no clear information as to the basis for their revocation or means by which they can appeal the revocation. Some students only learned about losing status when arrested by masked federal agents. These reports suggest that students were not given notice of the termination of their status in a manner consistent with existing laws, regulations, and agency guidance.”
    The Senators conclude with an appeal to the Administration to reconsider these visa revocations and warning to adhere to federal law, before making a series of immigration requests, writing: “Students who have entered through our legal immigration system and followed the law remain unsure of what, if any, steps they may take to maintain their status and safeguard themselves from immigration enforcement. While we are relieved that ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations, we now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance. Finally, we understand that you are contemplating additional actions to end student status. Any such changes must be consistent with applicable statutes, including requirements for notice with respect to changes that would deprive a student of their status and ability to live and study in the United States and place them at risk of detention.”
    In addition to Reed, Whitehouse, and Durbin, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennett (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM),  Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
    Full text of the letter follows:
    Dear Secretary Noem, Secretary Rubio, and Acting Director Lyons:
    We recently learned that your agencies have been revoking student visas and terminating Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records across the country. These actions to end student status reflected an unannounced change in policy and were inconsistent with existing laws, regulations, policies, and agency guidance governing the maintenance and termination of student status—that is why we welcomed the news late last week that in response to litigation around the country, ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations.  We now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance and ensure that all future actions to end student status fully comply with the law.
    Foreign students must navigate a complicated mix of agencies to maintain their status. Under current regulations and policy, students who enter into the United States on an F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visitor visa are admitted to the United States for “duration of status.”  This essentially means that F-1 and J-1 visa holders may be in good standing as long as they comply with the terms and conditions of their status, even if their visa has expired.  Students who enter on an M-1 visa for vocational education are admitted for a fixed time period to complete their course of study.  The Office of Student Exchange and Visitor Programs (SEVP), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), works with universities and program administrators to determine whether F-1 and M-1 students are meeting requirements for their visas and terminate SEVIS records as appropriate under SEVP regulations.  The Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the J-1 exchange visitor visa, but their records are maintained by SEVIS. Existing regulations and agency guidance inform students and other visa holders of how they might lose their student status, including that they cannot be convicted of serious crimes, cannot work unless authorized by DHS, and must be completing the education or program related to their visa. However, students across the country—who by all accounts appear to have followed all of the applicable laws and agency guidance—have reported visa revocations with no clear explanation as to the basis to terminate status. SEVP has completed at least 4,736 total terminations of student visa holders’ SEVIS records. By DHS’s own admission, the statute and regulations do not provide SEVP the authority to terminate nonimmigrant status by terminating a SEVIS record. Your decision to reverse such terminations is therefore prudent and required by law.
    Current laws, regulations, and agency guidance also require notice to be provided when a student’s status is being terminated or revoked. Here, it is not clear that students were provided the notice required by law. Many students were notified by universities that they have lost their student status when their SEVIS records have been terminated, without being provided any information about potential reinstatement. Some students received emails that their visas were revoked and were directed to self-deport, with no clear information as to the basis for their revocation or means by which they can appeal the revocation. Some students only learned about losing status when arrested by masked federal agents.  These reports suggest that students were not given notice of the termination of their status in a manner consistent with existing laws, regulations, and agency guidance.
    Once a student’s visa is revoked, although their status is not automatically terminated, removal proceedings may be initiated against them, allowing them to be detained at the discretion of DHS. Similarly, when a student’s SEVIS record is terminated, the student is no longer in an authorized period of stay in the United States, and students and their universities cannot regularly maintain student records in SEVIS, as is required to maintain student status. In addition, upon SEVIS record termination, the student must depart the United States or take other action to restore legal status, and DHS “may investigate to confirm the departure of the student.”
    Students who have entered through our legal immigration system and followed the law remain unsure of what, if any, steps they may take to maintain their status and safeguard themselves from immigration enforcement. While we are relieved that ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations, we now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance. Finally, we understand that you are contemplating additional actions to end student status. Any such changes must be consistent with applicable statutes, including requirements for notice with respect to changes that would deprive a student of their status and ability to live and study in the United States and place them at risk of detention.
    We also request information to better understand how your departments are implementing any new, unannounced policies with respect to identifying students for status revocation. Please provide the following information by May 12, 2025:
    1. Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing the revocations of nonimmigrant visas, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    2. Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing how nonimmigrants are to be notified of visa revocations, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    3. Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing the terminations of SEVIS records, issued from January 20, 2025 to April 25, 2025.
    4. Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing how student visa holders are to be notified of SEVIS terminations, issued from January 20, 2025 to April 25, 2025.
    5. Any guidance issued by DOS, DHS, and/or the Department of Justice governing the initiation of removal proceedings or immigration enforcement against student visa holders and other nonimmigrants, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    6. Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS regarding the use of artificial intelligence to search national databases, criminal records, and social media to identify nonimmigrants for visa revocation or to otherwise end status, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    7. The total number of student visas (F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas) that have been revoked since January 20, 2025 to date, disaggregated by:
    a. Student’s country of origin;
    b. Consulate or embassy that issued the visa;
    c. Visa category/Optional Practical Training (OPT);
    d. Date of revocation;
    e. University of study;
    f. Type of degree or field of study;
    g. Notice provided;
    h. Legal basis for revocation;
    i. Any grace period to allow students to make travel or other arrangements; and
    j. Whether the student’s SEVIS record was also terminated.
    8. The total number of SEVIS record terminations that have been issued since January 20, 2025 to April 25, 2025, disaggregated by—
    a. Student’s country of origin;
    b. Visa category/Optional Practical Training (OPT);
    c. Date of revocation;
    d. University of study;
    e. Type of degree or field of study;
    f. Whether the termination was initiated by the university or by DHS;
    g. Basis for termination;
    h. Notice provided;
    i. Any grace period to allow students to make travel or other arrangements; and
    j. Whether the student’s visa was revoked.
    9. The number of student visa holders on F-1, M-1, J-1 nonimmigrant status issued Form I862, Notice to Appear, initiating removal proceedings.
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Standing Together, Attorney General Bonta and 20 State Attorneys General Call Out Law Firms’ Capitulation to Trump’s Anti-Democratic Demands

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, alongside the 20 other state attorneys general, expressed in an open letter his continued support for the law firms that have fought back against President Trump’s unconstitutional attempts to target law firms and lawyers for advocacy the Trump Administration disfavors. The letter goes on to express profound disappointment with some of the country’s largest law firms for capitulating to President Trump’s unlawful, anti-democratic demands. In a series of executive orders, President Trump has targeted law firms that represent clients or positions he disagrees with. These orders strike at the heart of First Amendment principles and are unconstitutional on their face. In the open letter, the state attorneys general reaffirm their commitment to supporting those law firms that have chosen to fight back — and urge those law firms that capitulated to the Administration’s demands to rescind their agreements and join them in the fight. 

    “The Trump Administration’s increasing attacks on the rule of law, our legal system, and our independent judiciary are galling,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Since taking office, the President has launched a full-frontal assault on our democracy, and our legal system has played a necessary and invaluable role in these first 100 days in providing a check to his executive power. The decision by some of our nation’s largest law firms to capitulate to the President’s unreasonable, unprecedented, and frankly unconstitutional demands will only serve to embolden him further and create a chilling effect among legal professionals seeking to fairly and justly represent their clients. I stand by those firms that are resisting the pressure to submit to these demands and urge those law firms that already capitulated to change course and join us in defense of rule of law.”

    In this dark moment, we must be clear-eyed about what is occurring. Together with the President’s other attempts to eliminate checks on executive power, this Administration’s efforts to co-opt the legal profession — aided by the complicity of some of America’s most prominent law firms — are unmistakable steps on a path to eviscerating the critical constitutional safeguards that have long distinguished our country from authoritarian regimes. Fortunately, there is another path. Four law firms have sued to block President Trump’s unconstitutional executive orders: Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey. All four law firms have succeeded in obtaining court orders temporarily blocking the executive orders targeting their firms. 

    Attorney General Bonta, alongside other state attorneys general and courageous law firms, has stood in strong support of these firms, filing amicus briefs in support of Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey. He has also vigorously spoken out against the Trump Administration’s assault on the rule of law. Last month, Attorney General Bonta, along with 20 other state attorneys general issued an open letter urging the legal community to stand together in defense of the rule of law in response to President Trump’s recent attacks, which include calls for the impeachment of federal judges and threats of retribution against law firms and attorneys who take or have taken positions in opposition to him or his Administration. Attorney General Bonta also issued a separate statement on the need to speak up and push back when our democratic norms are violated, our legal system undermined, and our laws broken.

    Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New Jersey, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia in sending the letter.

    A copy of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Jason Anavitarte Applauds Signing of ‘Ricky and Alyssa’s Law’ Into Law, Strengthening School Safety

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (April 28, 2025) — Today, Senator Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas) applauded Governor Brian P. Kemp’s signing of House Bill 268, a critical measure to enhance emergency response systems and strengthen school safety protections across Georgia.

    In addition to the mobile panic alert systems and mapping requirements, HB 268 contains a portion of legislation, known as “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” which tasks the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) with creating uniform guidelines for implementing panic alert technology and coordinating verified threat responses statewide.

    The legislation honors Richard “Ricky” William Aspinwall, the defense coordinator at Apalachee High School who was tragically killed during a shooting there in September 2024, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who lost her life during the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

    Similar legislation bearing Alyssa’s name, known as “Alyssa’s Law,” has already been enacted in New Jersey, Florida, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, and Oklahoma.

    “Today, Georgia sends a clear message that we will not wait for another tragedy to act,” said Sen. Anavitarte. “By signing HB 268, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure every school has the tools needed to respond in an emergency and protect the lives of students, teachers, and staff. Moments matter, and this law gives our schools the ability to summon help without delay. I am incredibly grateful to Governor Kemp, my colleagues in the General Assembly, and the families who courageously advocated for this critical reform.”

    HB 268, sponsored in the House by Rep. Holt Persinger (R–Winder), passed with overwhelming bipartisan support during the 2025 legislative session. The new law requires every public school in Georgia to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of immediately connecting with local and state emergency services. Schools must also provide digital mapping data to first responders, ensuring faster, more coordinated responses during emergencies. HB 268 also supports mental health programs, suicide prevention and youth violence reduction.

    “Protecting Georgia’s children is a sacred responsibility,” Sen. Anavitarte continued. “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law honors two lives lost far too soon and turns heartbreak into action. It is a promise to every family in Georgia that when it comes to the safety of our schools, we will lead with urgency, compassion and resolve.”

    HB 268 will officially take effect on July 1, 2025. You can find more information about it here.

    # # # #

    Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 31st Senate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County. He may be reached via email at Jason.Anavitarte@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: California Man Pleads Guilty to Operating an Illegal Gambling Business, Tax Evasion, and Money Laundering

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A California man pleaded guilty today to operating an illegal gambling business, tax evasion, and money laundering.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Christopher Scott King, of Santa Monica, California, operated an illegal bookmaking business. Working out of Los Angeles County, King used a sports betting website based in Costa Rica to facilitate bettors wagering on sporting events in violation of both California state and federal law.

    King also evaded his taxes. Between 2019 and 2022, King concealed $13,586,493 of income from the IRS by, among other things, not reporting all of his income on his tax returns. On his 2022 income tax return, for example, King reported $143,258 in taxable income, but, in reality, he earned more than $5 million in income that year.

    King laundered his money by channeling it through real estate development projects and gold. King also used money he received from his illegal gambling business to fund his brokerage and financial accounts. As part of his plea agreement, King has agreed to pay $10 million in a personal money judgment of forfeiture at the time of sentencing.

    In total, King caused a tax loss to the IRS of $3,804,218.

    King is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion, operating an illegal gambling operation, and accepting a financial instrument for unlawful internet gambling, and 10 years in prison for money laundering. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli for the Central District of California made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation’s International Tax and Financial Crimes group and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys John C. Gerardi and Charles A. O’Reilly of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Arizona Man Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 and Tax Fraud

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Defendant Used Another’s Identity to File More Than $7 Million in False Refund Claims with the IRS.

    An Arizona man was sentenced to 4 years in prison for filing false tax returns and loan applications to obtain COVID-19 disaster relief.

    According to court documents and evidence presented in court, to create the appearance that he was operating several businesses, Roy Layne of St. David, Arizona filed paperwork with the IRS, applied for a business license from the City of Tuscon, opened business bank accounts, and filed false employment-related tax returns. In April 2020, he filed an application with the U.S. Small Business Administration, that claimed he operated a “wholesale” business with 17 employees that had revenue of more than half a million dollars a year. In 2021, he submitted a false application for a Paycheck Protection Act Loan, claiming that same “wholesale” business had 31 employees, and $1.2 million in revenue. Layne ultimately received $306,700 in COVID-19 related loans to which he was not entitled.

    In addition, Layne used the personal identifying information and identity of another person to file false claims for refunds with the IRS. In total, Layne claimed over $7.4 million in false refunds, of which the IRS paid $590,000.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker ordered Layne to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $856,692.91 in restitution to the United States.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Interim U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine of the District of Arizona made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are conducting the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Matthew R. Hoffman of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Sue Feldmeier of the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Pleads Guilty to Operating an Illegal Gambling Business, Tax Evasion, and Money Laundering

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    A California man pleaded guilty today to operating an illegal gambling business, tax evasion, and money laundering.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Christopher Scott King, of Santa Monica, California, operated an illegal bookmaking business. Working out of Los Angeles County, King used a sports betting website based in Costa Rica to facilitate bettors wagering on sporting events in violation of both California state and federal law.

    King also evaded his taxes. Between 2019 and 2022, King concealed $13,586,493 of income from the IRS by, among other things, not reporting all of his income on his tax returns. On his 2022 income tax return, for example, King reported $143,258 in taxable income, but, in reality, he earned more than $5 million in income that year.

    King laundered his money by channeling it through real estate development projects and gold. King also used money he received from his illegal gambling business to fund his brokerage and financial accounts. As part of his plea agreement, King has agreed to pay $10 million in a personal money judgment of forfeiture at the time of sentencing.

    In total, King caused a tax loss to the IRS of $3,804,218.

    King is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 9 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion, operating an illegal gambling operation, and accepting a financial instrument for unlawful internet gambling, and 10 years in prison for money laundering. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli for the Central District of California made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation’s International Tax and Financial Crimes group and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys John C. Gerardi and Charles A. O’Reilly of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Man Sentenced to Prison for COVID-19 and Tax Fraud

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Defendant Used Another’s Identity to File More Than $7 Million in False Refund Claims with the IRS.

    An Arizona man was sentenced to 4 years in prison for filing false tax returns and loan applications to obtain COVID-19 disaster relief.

    According to court documents and evidence presented in court, to create the appearance that he was operating several businesses, Roy Layne of St. David, Arizona filed paperwork with the IRS, applied for a business license from the City of Tuscon, opened business bank accounts, and filed false employment-related tax returns. In April 2020, he filed an application with the U.S. Small Business Administration, that claimed he operated a “wholesale” business with 17 employees that had revenue of more than half a million dollars a year. In 2021, he submitted a false application for a Paycheck Protection Act Loan, claiming that same “wholesale” business had 31 employees, and $1.2 million in revenue. Layne ultimately received $306,700 in COVID-19 related loans to which he was not entitled.

    In addition, Layne used the personal identifying information and identity of another person to file false claims for refunds with the IRS. In total, Layne claimed over $7.4 million in false refunds, of which the IRS paid $590,000.

    In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker ordered Layne to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $856,692.91 in restitution to the United States.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Interim U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine of the District of Arizona made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are conducting the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Matthew R. Hoffman of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Sue Feldmeier of the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s citizens have a right to protest: what does the law say about restricting it?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Justice Tankebe, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Cambridge

    Ghana’s attorney general and minister of justice dropped charges against members of Democracy Hub, a civil society group, in February 2025, after four months of prosecution. The group had organised a protest in September 2024 against the widespread destruction and contamination of the country’s water bodies by persons and gangs engaged in illegal artisanal mining.

    Media reports alleged police harassment and use of excessive force during the three-day protest. The actions of the police and the courts were the latest in a history of suppression of the exercise of the right to protest. They are based on a military-era law that the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional three decades ago.

    The situation highlights the tension between the right to protest and lawful interference with those rights. As a criminologist and an expert in constitutional law, we argue that the tension can be minimised by considering four factors:

    • location and time

    • rights of others

    • target of protest

    • intentions of protesters.

    Right to protest in Ghana

    Ghana’s 1992 constitution guarantees the right to protest. However, as is standard practice in democracies, the constitution also allows these rights to be restricted on specified public interest grounds. Restrictions must be “reasonably required” in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public health or the running of essential services.

    The challenge democratic societies face is managing the apparent tension between people’s fundamental rights to protest and the need, sometimes, to interfere with those rights in the larger public interest.

    While Ghana’s Supreme Court ruling in 1993 forbids any action that would deny protesters their right to protest, it had grey areas. For example, it did not offer clear guidance on what would make a restriction “reasonably required” and “reasonably justifiable in terms of the spirit of the constitution”.

    Ghana is a former British colony, and its law and legal system continue to be influenced by UK legal principles. So the UK can offer guidance. In 2021, in the case of Director of Public Prosecutions v Ziegler and others, the UK Supreme Court pronounced certain principles and factors that police, prosecutors and judges must consider.

    Location and time

    The UK court reasoned that the right to protest includes the right to choose when and where to hold the protest. The location or path of a protest will determine whether its message is received by the intended target and what impact it will have.

    The Ghanaian police and courts have often violated this principle when a protest is stopped because the location is a so-called “security zone”. The basis for this categorisation is not clearly specified or defined in law. The Ghana constitution specifies that any restriction of the right to protest must be contained in “a law”.

    Rights of others

    Ghanaian law does not allow protesters to obstruct traffic, cause confusion or disorder, or violate the rights and freedoms of other members of the public. But protests almost always do cause some interference with the rights of others.

    That’s not sufficient reason to interfere with the right to protest. According to the UK Supreme Court, the police and courts must establish the extent of the actual violation of citizens’ rights – such as how many people were likely to be inconvenienced.

    Target of protests

    Where there is obstruction, there must be evidence that it was not connected to the reasons for the protest. One accusation against the Democracy Hub protesters was that they blocked the entrance to a health facility. Had they blocked access to, say, an authority responsible for granting licences for artisanal mining, the police would not have been justified in arresting them. The police must also show that no alternative routes were reasonably available to the inconvenienced public.

    Intentions of protesters

    This factor requires the police and courts to consider whether a protest is intended to be peaceful. Cooperating with the police, such as notifying them about the intended protest, signifies a peaceful intent. The UK court notes that where a protest is intended to be peaceful and is, indeed, peaceful, protesters will have the right to resist police arrest.

    A fair hand

    The checklist is not exhaustive, but it puts an important obligation on the police and the courts not to interfere unreasonably with the fundamental rights of citizens. While the right to protest is not absolute, it remains fundamental in a democracy. Therefore, a restriction of the right cannot be absolute either. The restriction must be reasonable and proportionate.

    In short, the restrictions attached to the right to assemble and to protest are designed to do no more than restrict (limit or constrain), within reasonable limits, how, where and when the right may be exercised. They are not meant to destroy or undermine protesters’ ability to exercise that right to achieve their desired goals.

    Current Ghanaian police and judicial practice must change, along the lines of the UK Supreme Court’s ruling, to ensure the right to protest is not treated as less valuable or less important than the restrictions that may be applied to limit it.

    Henry Kwasi Prempeh, who co-authored this article, is a Ghanaian lawyer and educationist, and the current executive director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development.

    – Ghana’s citizens have a right to protest: what does the law say about restricting it?
    – https://theconversation.com/ghanas-citizens-have-a-right-to-protest-what-does-the-law-say-about-restricting-it-248049

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Security Council – on the Middle East [as delivered; scroll down for all-English and all-French]

    Source: United Nations – English

    onsieur le Président, Excellences,

    Je remercie la présidence française d’organiser cette réunion au niveau ministériel sur le Moyen-Orient, y compris la question palestinienne.

    La région traverse des bouleversements fondamentaux, marqués par la violence et la volatilité, mais également porteurs d’opportunités et de potentiel.

    Au Liban, le cessez-le-feu et l’intégrité territoriale doivent être respectés et tous les engagements doivent être mis en œuvre.

    En Syrie, nous devons poursuivre nos efforts pour accompagner le pays sur la voie d’une transition politique inclusive de toutes les composantes de la population syrienne – une transition qui garantisse la reddition de comptes, favorise la réconciliation nationale, et jette les bases du redressement à long terme de la Syrie ainsi que de son intégration future au sein de la communauté internationale. 

    Cela inclut la situation dans le Golan syrien occupé, qui demeure précaire en raison de violations majeures de l’Accord de désengagement des forces de 1974 – notamment la présence continue des Forces de défense israéliennes dans la zone de séparation, ainsi que leurs multiples frappes contre des sites au-delà de la ligne de cessez-le-feu.

    À travers le Moyen-Orient, les populations réclament et méritent un avenir meilleur – et non des conflits et des souffrances sans fin.

    Nous devons agir ensemble pour faire en sorte que cette période de turbulences et de transition réponde à ces aspirations – et qu’elle apporte justice, dignité, droits, sécurité, et une paix durable.

    Cela commence par la reconnaissance de deux faits fondamentaux : 

    Premièrement, la région se trouve à un moment charnière de son histoire. 

    Et, deuxièmement, que toute paix vraiment durable au Moyen-Orient dépend d’une question centrale.

    Un élément essentiel que ce Conseil de sécurité a affirmé et réaffirmé, année après année, décennie après décennie : une solution à deux États, Israël et la Palestine, vivant côte-à-côte dans la paix et la sécurité, avec Jérusalem comme capitale des deux États.

    Mr. President,

    Today, the promise of a two-State solution is at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance. 

    The political commitment to this long-standing goal is farther than it has ever been.

    As a result, the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live and peace and security have been undermined – and the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians have been denied – while they endure Israel’s continued presence that the International Court of Justice has found unlawful. 

    And since the horrific 7 October terror attacks by Hamas, it has gotten worse on every front.

    First, the unrelenting conflict and devastation in Gaza – including the utterly inhumane conditions of life imposed on its people who are repeatedly coming under attack, confined to smaller and smaller spaces, and deprived of lifesaving relief. 

    In line with international law, the Security Council has rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce its territory. 

    Gaza is — and must remain — an integral part of a future Palestinian state.

    Second, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations and the use of heavy weaponry in residential areas, forcible displacement, demolitions, movement restrictions, and settlement expansion are dramatically altering demographic and geographic realities. 

    Palestinians are being contained and coerced.  Contained in areas that are subject to increasing military operations and where the Palestinian Authority is under growing pressure – and coerced out of areas where settlements are expanding. 

    Third, settler violence continues at alarmingly high levels in a climate of impunity, with entire Palestinian communities facing repeated assaults and destruction, sometimes abetted by Israeli soldiers.

    Palestinian attacks against Israelis in both Israel and the occupied West Bank also continue.

    Mr. President,

    The world cannot afford to watch the two-State solution disappear. 

    Political leaders face clear choices — the choice to be silent, the choice to acquiesce, or the choice to act.

    Mr. President,

    In Gaza, there is no end in sight to the killing and misery.

    The ceasefire had brought a glimmer of hope – the long-sought release of hostages and delivery of lifesaving humanitarian relief.

    But those embers of opportunity were cruelly extinguished with the shattering of the ceasefire on 18 March. 

    Since then, almost 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes and military operations – including women, children, journalists, and humanitarians.

    Hamas also continues to fire rockets towards Israel indiscriminately – while the hostages continue to be held in appalling conditions. 

    The humanitarian situation throughout the Gaza Strip has gone from bad … to worse … to beyond imagination.   

    For nearly two full months, Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine and commercial supplies, depriving more than two million people of lifesaving relief. 

    All while the world watches.

    I am alarmed by statements by Israeli government officials about the use of humanitarian aid as a tool for military pressure.

    Aid is non-negotiable. 

    Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them.

    I salute the women and men of the United Nations and all other humanitarian workers – especially our Palestinian colleagues — who continue to work under fire and in incomprehensibly difficult conditions.

    And I mourn all of the women and men of the United Nations who were killed – including some with their families.

    The entry of assistance must be restored immediately — the safety of UN personnel and humanitarian partners must be guaranteed – and UN agencies must be allowed to work in full respect of humanitarian principles:  humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

    There must be no hindrance in humanitarian aid – including through the vital work of UNRWA.

    We need the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

    And we need a permanent ceasefire.

    It’s time to stop the repeated displacement of the Gaza population – along with any question of forced displacement outside of Gaza.

    And the trampling of international law must end.

    I call on Member States to use their leverage to ensure that international law is respected and impunity does not prevail.

    This includes for the 19 March incident for which Israel has now acknowledged responsibility in firing on a UN guesthouse, killing one colleague and injuring six others … the 23 March killing of paramedics and other rescue workers in Rafah … as well as many other cases.

    There must be accountability across the board.

    Mr. President,

    Advisory proceedings are ongoing at the International Court of Justice on the obligations of Israel, as an occupying Power and a Member of the United Nations, in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    In February, the United Nations Legal Counsel submitted a written statement to the Court – and yesterday, she made an oral statement before the Court – both of which on my behalf.

    The statement to the Court includes points that I have made on a number of occasions.

    Specifically, that all parties to conflict must comply with all their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

    That Israel, as an occupying Power, is under an obligation to ensure food and medical supplies of the population.

    That Israel has an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    That humanitarian, medical and United Nations personnel must be respected and protected.

    And I emphasize the obligation under international law to respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel, including the absolute inviolability of United Nations premises, property and assets – and the immunity from legal process of the United Nations. 

    Such immunity applies to all UN entities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory – including UNRWA – a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly.
    I call on Member States to fully support all of these efforts. 

    Mr. President,

    In this period of turmoil and transition for the region, Member States must spell out how they will realize the commitment and promise of a two-State solution.

    This is not a time for ritualistically expressing support, ticking a box, and moving on.

    We are past the stage of ticking boxes – the clock is ticking.

    The two-State solution is near a point of no return. 

    The international community has a responsibility to prevent perpetual occupation and violence.

    My call to Member States is clear and urgent:

    Take irreversible action towards implementing a two-State solution.

    Do not let extremists on any side undermine what remains of the peace process.

    The High-Level Conference in June, co-chaired by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is an important opportunity to revitalize international support.

    I encourage Member States to go beyond affirmations, and to think creatively about the concrete steps they will take to support a viable two-State solution before it is too late.

    At the same time, the Palestinian Authority needs stepped-up and sustained support – politically and financially.  This is crucial to ensure the continued viability of Palestinian institutions, consolidate ongoing reforms, and enable the PA to resume its full responsibilities in Gaza.

    Mr. President,

    At this hinge point of history for the people of the Middle East – and on this issue on which so much hinges – leaders must stand and deliver. 

    Show the political courage and exercise the political will to make good on this central question for peace for Palestinians, Israelis, the region and humanity.

    Thank you.

    ***
    [all-English]

    Mr. President, Excellencies,

    I thank the French presidency for convening this ministerial-level meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

    The region is undergoing fundamental shifts, marked by violence and volatility but also opportunity and potential.

    In Lebanon, the ceasefire and territorial integrity must be respected and all commitments implemented.

    In Syria, we must keep working to support the country’s path towards a political transition that is inclusive of all segments of the Syrian population – one that ensures accountability, fosters national healing, and lays the foundation for Syria’s long-term recovery and further integration into the international community. 

    This includes the situation in the occupied Syrian Golan — which remains precarious with significant violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, with the continued presence of the Israel Defense Forces into the area of separation and their several strikes targeting locations across the ceasefire line.

    Across the Middle East, people demand and deserve a better future, not endless conflict and suffering.

    We must collectively work to ensure that this turbulent and transitional period meets those aspirations — and delivers justice, dignity, rights, security and lasting peace.

    It starts by recognizing two fundamental facts: 

    First, that the region is at a hinge-point in history. 

    And, second, that truly sustainable Middle East peace hinges on one central question.

    On a core issue that this Security Council has affirmed and re-affirmed decade after decade, year after year:  a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.

    Mr. President,

    Today, the promise of a two-State solution is at risk of dwindling to the point of disappearance. 

    The political commitment to this long-standing goal is farther than it has ever been.

    As a result, the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to live and peace and security have been undermined – and the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians have been denied – while they endure Israel’s continued presence that the International Court of Justice has found unlawful. 

    And since the horrific 7 October terror attacks by Hamas, it has gotten worse on every front.

    First, the unrelenting conflict and devastation in Gaza – including the utterly inhumane conditions of life imposed on its people who are repeatedly coming under attack, confined to smaller and smaller spaces, and deprived of lifesaving relief. 

    In line with international law, the Security Council has rejected any attempt at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza Strip, including any actions that reduce its territory. 

    Gaza is — and must remain — an integral part of a future Palestinian state.

    Second, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli military operations and the use of heavy weaponry in residential areas, forcible displacement, demolitions, movement restrictions, and settlement expansion are dramatically altering demographic and geographic realities. 

    Palestinians are being contained and coerced.  Contained in areas that are subject to increasing military operations and where the Palestinian Authority is under growing pressure – and coerced out of areas where settlements are expanding. 

    Third, settler violence continues at alarmingly high levels in a climate of impunity, with entire Palestinian communities facing repeated assaults and destruction, sometimes abetted by Israeli soldiers.

    Palestinian attacks against Israelis in both Israel and the occupied West Bank also continue.

    Mr. President,

    The world cannot afford to watch the two-State solution disappear. 

    Political leaders face clear choices — the choice to be silent, the choice to acquiesce, or the choice to act.

    Mr. President,

    In Gaza, there is no end in sight to the killing and misery.

    The ceasefire had brought a glimmer of hope – the long-sought release of hostages and delivery of lifesaving humanitarian relief.

    But those embers of opportunity were cruelly extinguished with the shattering of the ceasefire on 18 March. 

    Since then, almost 2,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli strikes and military operations – including women, children, journalists, and humanitarians.

    Hamas also continues to fire rockets towards Israel indiscriminately – while the hostages continue to be held in appalling conditions. 

    The humanitarian situation throughout the Gaza Strip has gone from bad … to worse … to beyond imagination.   

    For nearly two full months, Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine and commercial supplies, depriving more than two million people of lifesaving relief. 

    All while the world watches.

    I am alarmed by statements by Israeli government officials about the use of humanitarian aid as a tool for military pressure.

    Aid is non-negotiable. 

    Israel must protect civilians and must agree to relief schemes and facilitate them.

    I salute the women and men of the United Nations and all other humanitarian workers – especially our Palestinian colleagues — who continue to work under fire and in incomprehensibly difficult conditions.

    And I mourn all of the women and men of the United Nations who were killed – including some with their families.

    The entry of assistance must be restored immediately — the safety of UN personnel and humanitarian partners must be guaranteed – and UN agencies must be allowed to work in full respect of humanitarian principles:  humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

    There must be no hindrance in humanitarian aid – including through the vital work of UNRWA.

    We need the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

    And we need a permanent ceasefire.

    It’s time to stop the repeated displacement of the Gaza population – along with any question of forced displacement outside of Gaza.

    And the trampling of international law must end.

    I call on Member States to use their leverage to ensure that international law is respected and impunity does not prevail.

    This includes for the 19 March incident for which Israel has now acknowledged responsibility in firing on a UN guesthouse, killing one colleague and injuring six others … the 23 March killing of paramedics and other rescue workers in Rafah … as well as many other cases.

    There must be accountability across the board.

    Mr. President,

    Advisory proceedings are ongoing at the International Court of Justice on the obligations of Israel, as an occupying Power and a Member of the United Nations, in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    In February, the United Nations Legal Counsel submitted a written statement to the Court – and yesterday, she made an oral statement before the Court – both of which on my behalf.

    The statement to the Court includes points that I have made on a number of occasions.

    Specifically, that all parties to conflict must comply with all their obligations under international law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

    That Israel, as an occupying Power, is under an obligation to ensure food and medical supplies of the population.

    That Israel has an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    That humanitarian, medical and United Nations personnel must be respected and protected.

    And I emphasize the obligation under international law to respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its personnel, including the absolute inviolability of United Nations premises, property and assets – and the immunity from legal process of the United Nations. 

    Such immunity applies to all UN entities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory – including UNRWA – a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly.

    I call on Member States to fully support all of these efforts. 

    Mr. President,

    In this period of turmoil and transition for the region, Member States must spell out how they will realize the commitment and promise of a two-State solution.

    This is not a time for ritualistically expressing support, ticking a box, and moving on.

    We are past the stage of ticking boxes – the clock is ticking.

    The two-State solution is near a point of no return. 

    The international community has a responsibility to prevent perpetual occupation and violence.

    My call to Member States is clear and urgent:

    Take irreversible action towards implementing a two-State solution.

    Do not let extremists on any side undermine what remains of the peace process.

    The High-Level Conference in June, co-chaired by France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is an important opportunity to revitalize international support.

    I encourage Member States to go beyond affirmations, and to think creatively about the concrete steps they will take to support a viable two-State solution before it is too late.

    At the same time, the Palestinian Authority needs stepped-up and sustained support – politically and financially.  This is crucial to ensure the continued viability of Palestinian institutions, consolidate ongoing reforms, and enable the PA to resume its full responsibilities in Gaza.

    Mr. President,

    At this hinge point of history for the people of the Middle East – and on this issue on which so much hinges – leaders must stand and deliver. 

    Show the political courage and exercise the political will to make good on this central question for peace for Palestinians, Israelis, the region and humanity.

    Thank you.

    ***
    [all-French]

    Monsieur le Président, Excellences,

    Je remercie la présidence française d’organiser cette réunion au niveau ministériel sur le Moyen-Orient, y compris la question palestinienne.

    La région traverse des bouleversements fondamentaux, marqués par la violence et la volatilité, mais également porteurs d’opportunités et de potentiel.

    Au Liban, le cessez-le-feu et l’intégrité territoriale doivent être respectés et tous les engagements doivent être mis en œuvre.

    En Syrie, nous devons poursuivre nos efforts pour accompagner le pays sur la voie d’une transition politique inclusive de toutes les composantes de la population syrienne – une transition qui garantisse la reddition de comptes, favorise la réconciliation nationale, et jette les bases du redressement à long terme de la Syrie ainsi que de son intégration future au sein de la communauté internationale. 

    Cela inclut la situation dans le Golan syrien occupé, qui demeure précaire en raison de violations majeures de l’Accord de désengagement des forces de 1974 – notamment la présence continue des Forces de défense israéliennes dans la zone de séparation, ainsi que leurs multiples frappes contre des sites au-delà de la ligne de cessez-le-feu.

    À travers le Moyen-Orient, les populations réclament et méritent un avenir meilleur – et non des conflits et des souffrances sans fin.

    Nous devons agir ensemble pour faire en sorte que cette période de turbulences et de transition réponde à ces aspirations – et qu’elle apporte justice, dignité, droits, sécurité, et une paix durable.

    Cela commence par la reconnaissance de deux faits fondamentaux : 

    Premièrement, la région se trouve à un moment charnière de son histoire. 
    Et, deuxièmement, que toute paix vraiment durable au Moyen-Orient dépend d’une question centrale.

    Un élément essentiel que ce Conseil de sécurité a affirmé et réaffirmé, année après année, décennie après décennie : une solution à deux États, Israël et la Palestine, vivant côte-à-côte dans la paix et la sécurité, avec Jérusalem comme capitale des deux États.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Aujourd’hui, la promesse de la solution des deux États court le risque de s’effilocher au point de disparaître.

    L’engagement politique en faveur de cet objectif de longue date n’a jamais été aussi ténu.

    De ce fait, les droits des Israéliens et des Palestiniens de vivre en paix et sécurité ont été mis à mal – et les aspirations nationales légitimes des Palestiniens ont été niées – alors qu’ils continuent de subir une présence israélienne que la Cour internationale de justice a jugée illicite.

    Depuis les effroyables attaques terroristes perpétrées par le Hamas le 7 octobre, la situation s’est aggravée sur tous les fronts.

    Premièrement, avec le conflit incessant et la dévastation que subit la bande de Gaza : les conditions de vie sont absolument inhumaines, les habitants sont la cible d’attaques à répétition et sont confinés dans des espaces de plus en plus réduits et privés d’une aide vitale.

    S’appuyant sur le droit international, le Conseil de sécurité a rejeté toute tentative de changement démographique ou territorial dans la bande de Gaza, y compris tout acte visant à réduire le territoire.

    Gaza fait partie intégrante d’un futur État palestinien et doit le rester.

    Deuxièmement, en Cisjordanie occupée, y compris Jérusalem-Est, les opérations militaires israéliennes et l’emploi d’armes lourdes dans des zones résidentielles, les déplacements forcés, les démolitions, les restrictions de circulation et l’expansion des colonies transforment radicalement les réalités démographiques et géographiques.

    Les Palestiniens sont cantonnés dans certains endroits et contraints d’en quitter d’autres. Ils sont cantonnés dans des zones où les opérations militaires se multiplient et où l’Autorité palestinienne est soumise à des pressions croissantes, et contraints de quitter les zones où les colons étendent leur emprise.

    Troisièmement, la violence exercée par les colons se poursuit dans un climat d’impunité, parfois avec la complicité de soldats israéliens, et atteint des niveaux alarmants : des communautés palestiniennes tout entières sont agressées et victimes de destructions à répétition.

    Les attaques menées par des Palestiniens contre des Israéliens en Israël et en Cisjordanie occupée se poursuivent également.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Le monde ne peut pas se permettre de voir la solution des deux États s’évanouir.

    Les dirigeants politiques ont le choix : se taire, acquiescer ou agir.

    Monsieur le Président,

    À Gaza, rien ne laisse entrevoir la fin de la tuerie et des souffrances.

    Le cessez-le-feu avait apporté une lueur d’espoir : la libération des otages, tant attendue, et l’acheminement d’une aide humanitaire vitale.
    Hélas, cette lueur d’espoir s’est éteinte avec la rupture du cessez-le-feu le 18 mars.

    Depuis, les frappes et les opérations militaires israéliennes ont fait près de 2000 morts parmi les Palestiniens dans la bande de Gaza, y compris des femmes, des enfants, des journalistes et du personnel humanitaire.

    Le Hamas continue également de tirer des roquettes sur Israël sans discernement – tandis que les otages sont toujours détenus dans des conditions épouvantables.

    Déjà mauvaise, la situation humanitaire dans la bande de Gaza n’a fait qu’empirer et dépasse aujourd’hui l’entendement.

    Depuis près de deux mois, Israël bloque les livraisons de nourriture, de carburant, de médicaments et de marchandises, privant ainsi plus de deux millions de personnes d’une aide vitale.

    Et ce, au vu et au su du monde entier.

    Je suis alarmé par les déclarations de représentants d’Israël concernant l’utilisation de l’aide humanitaire comme moyen de pression militaire.

    L’aide humanitaire n’est pas négociable.

    Israël est tenu de protéger les civils ; il doit accepter les programmes d’aide et en faciliter l’exécution.

    Je rends hommage au personnel des Nations Unies, femmes et hommes, ainsi qu’à tous les autres agents humanitaires, en particulier à nos collègues palestiniens, qui continuent à travailler malgré les frappes et dans des conditions inouïes.

    Et je pleure toutes les femmes et tous les hommes des Nations Unies qui ont été tués – y compris certains avec leurs familles.

    L’acheminement de l’aide doit être rétabli immédiatement, la sécurité du personnel des Nations Unies et des partenaires humanitaires doit être garantie et les entités des Nations Unies doivent pouvoir travailler dans le plein respect des principes humanitaires : humanité, impartialité, neutralité et indépendance.

    Il ne doit y avoir aucune entrave à l’aide humanitaire, notamment au travail vital que fait l’UNRWA.

    Il faut que tous les otages soient libérés immédiatement et sans conditions.

    Et il faut un cessez-le-feu permanent.

    Il est temps de mettre un terme aux déplacements répétés de la population de Gaza, ainsi qu’à la question des déplacements forcés en dehors de Gaza.

    Et il faut cesser de bafouer le droit international.

    J’engage tous les États Membres à user de leur influence pour que le droit international soit respecté et que l’impunité ne l’emporte pas.

    Je veux parler notamment de la frappe du 19 mars contre une résidence des Nations Unies, qui a fait un mort et six blessés parmi nos collègues et pour laquelle Israël a désormais reconnu sa responsabilité … de l’attaque du 23 mars, dans laquelle du personnel paramédical et d’autres secouristes ont trouvé la mort à Rafah … et de bien d’autres encore.

    Aucun acte ne saurait rester impuni.

    Monsieur le Président,

    Une procédure consultative a été engagée à la Cour internationale de Justice sur les obligations d’Israël, Puissance occupante et membre de l’ONU, en ce qui concerne la présence et les activités des entités des Nations Unies dans le Territoire palestinien occupé et en lien avec celui-ci.

    En février, la Conseillère juridique de l’ONU a soumis en mon nom une déclaration écrite à la Cour, et hier, elle a fait une déclaration orale devant la Cour, également en mon nom.

    Cette déclaration reprend des points que j’ai soulevés à plusieurs reprises.

    En particulier, le fait que toutes les parties au conflit sont tenues de s’acquitter des obligations que leur impose le droit international, y compris le droit international humanitaire et le droit international des droits humains.

    Qu’Israël, Puissance occupante, est tenu d’assurer l’approvisionnement de la population en produits alimentaires et fournitures médicales.

    Qu’il est tenu d’accepter les programmes d’aide et d’en faciliter l’exécution dans le Territoire palestinien occupé.

    Que le personnel humanitaire et médical, ainsi que le personnel des Nations Unies, doit être respecté et protégé.

    Je tiens à insister sur l’obligation faite en droit international de respecter les privilèges et immunités des Nations Unies et de leur personnel, y compris l’inviolabilité absolue des locaux, des biens et des avoirs des Nations Unies, ainsi que l’immunité de juridiction des Nations Unies.

    Cette immunité s’applique à toutes les entités des Nations Unies dans le Territoire palestinien occupé, y compris l’UNRWA, organe subsidiaire de l’Assemblée générale.

    J’engage les États Membres à soutenir tous ces efforts.

    Monsieur le Président,

    En cette période de tourmente et de transition pour la région, les États Membres doivent énoncer clairement comment ils concrétiseront l’engagement qu’ils ont pris et la promesse qu’ils ont faite quant à la solution des deux États.

    Ce n’est pas le moment d’exprimer rituellement son soutien, de cocher une case et de passer à autre chose.

    Nous avons dépassé le stade des cases à cocher : le temps presse.

    Pour la solution des deux États, le glas a presque sonné.

    La communauté internationale a la responsabilité d’empêcher l’occupation et la violence perpétuelles.

    L’appel que je leur lance est urgent et sans équivoque :

    Prenez des mesures irréversibles pour concrétiser la solution des deux États.

    Ne laissez pas les extrémistes de tout bord saper ce qu’il reste du processus de paix.

    La Conférence de haut niveau qui se tiendra en juin, co-présidée par la France et le Royaume d’Arabie saoudite, est une véritable occasion de revitaliser le soutien international.

    J’encourage les États membres à aller au-delà des affirmations et à réfléchir de manière créative aux mesures concrètes qu’ils prendront pour soutenir une solution viable à deux États avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.

    J’encourage les États Membres à traduire les paroles en actes et à réfléchir de manière créative pour déterminer les mesures concrètes qu’ils prendront pour soutenir une solution viable de deux États – avant qu’il ne soit trop tard.

    Parallèlement, l’Autorité palestinienne a besoin d’un soutien accru et durable, tant sur le plan politique que financièrement parlant. C’est une condition essentielle pour garantir la viabilité des institutions palestiniennes, asseoir les réformes engagées et permettre à l’Autorité palestinienne d’exercer de nouveau toutes ses responsabilités dans la bande de Gaza.

    Monsieur le Président,

    À ce moment charnière de l’histoire pour les peuples du Moyen-Orient – et vis-à-vis de cette question dont dépendent tant de choses – les dirigeants doivent concrétiser leur promesse.

    Faites preuve de courage et de volonté politiques, tenez vos engagements vis-à-vis de cette question centrale pour la paix : pour les Palestiniens, les Israéliens, la région et l’humanité tout entière.

    Je vous remercie.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: We welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    We welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

    Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the UN General Assembly debate on the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism in Syria.

    Thank you Assistant Secretary-General Robert Petit for the briefing and the debate today.

    Let me also welcome Foreign Minister Al Shaibani to the Assembly. Your presence here today is a powerful signal of the opportunities that lie ahead for Syria to carve out a more secure, peaceful and prosperous future.

    I will make three points today.

    First, we welcome progress in Syria’s political transition since the fall of the Assad regime. 

    This includes the formation of a new Syrian Government and their commitment to hold free and fair elections in Syria.

    We also welcome the important steps taken since December towards social cohesion amongst the Syrian people.

    This includes the first-ever consensus on the Human Rights Council resolution supported by the Syrian Government, and commitments by the Syrian Government to establish national committees to address transitional justice, missing persons and chemical weapons.

    However, as the horrific events in the coastal areas in March remind us, significant challenges remain to address the legacy of 14 years of war and brutality, and to begin the process to provide closure to all those affected.

    Second, we commend the IIIM for the valuable progress it has made since December on the international pursuit for accountability. 

    The volume of documentation and witness interviews that the IIIM team have collated is a testament to your tireless dedication to provide a credible evidence base for future prosecutions. 

    The appointment of an IIIM Liaison Officer in Damascus is also a promising example of UN-Syria cooperation, and we urge all parties to work collaboratively to ensure that survivors receive the justice that they demand, and that they deserve.

    Third, the UK had a leading role in supporting international and civil society accountability efforts during the Assad regime. 

    And we remain committed to pursuing accountability for victims, survivors and families in Syria, and for that reason, we continue to see the IIIM as a crucial component for the future Syrian-led Transitional Justice processes.

    We were proud to have co-sponsored the UNGA resolution which established this mechanism in 2016 and remain committed to ensuring that it has the political backing and operational remit it requires to succeed.

    And this year, the United Kingdom has allocated a further $940,000 in funding to our partners in support of this effective evidence collection and preservation.

    We thank IIIM for your contribution to the fight against impunity and for amplifying the voices of survivors throughout your work. 

    The UK will continue to support the Syrian Government and its people in their efforts on reconciliation and accountability to ensure a stable and prosperous future for the people of Syria.

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sounds the Alarm, Releases Fourth Immigration Detention Facilities Report

    Source: US State of California

    SAN DIEGO — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today released the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) fourth report on immigration detention facilities operating in California where noncitizens are detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In an effort to increase transparency in these facilities, DOJ staff and a team of experts reviewed each of the six locked immigration detention facilities in operation in the state.   

    “California has a responsibility to understand the conditions in which all our residents live, including people who are detained at immigration detention facilities. My office’s review of facilities in California shows that issues previously identified have persisted, while new findings make clear that these facilities need significant improvements to fall in compliance with ICE’s own detention standards,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California’s facility reviews remain especially critical in light of efforts by the Trump Administration to both eliminate oversight of conditions at immigration detention facilities and increase its inhumane campaign of mass immigration enforcement, potentially exacerbating critical issues already present in these facilities by packing them with more people.”

    BACKGROUND

    The report is intended to provide members of the public and policymakers with critical information about the conditions that people in civil immigration detention in California are subjected to. In response to growing concerns for the health and safety of people in civil immigration detention, the California Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 103 in 2017 to require DOJ to review and report on conditions of confinement at immigration detention facilities through July 1, 2027. These concerns remain with respect to the immigration detention facilities still in operation in the state. During the review process for this report, DOJ staff — with support from a team of correctional and health care experts — reviewed each of the six locked immigration detention facilities in operation in the state, all of which are privately operated. As part of the review of each facility, the DOJ team toured each facility, reviewed and analyzed logs, policies, detainee records, and other documentation, and interviewed detention staff and 154 detained individuals across the six detention facilities. 

    THE 2025 REPORT

    The 2025 report provides a comprehensive review of immigration detention facilities in California and closely examines applicable standards in areas including conditions of confinement, security classification and housing, use of force, discipline, restrictive housing, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) compliance, access to health care, and due process, with a particular focus on mental health. 

    The 2019 and 2021 reports offered a comprehensive review of conditions of confinement, the standard of care, and due process protections at facilities operating in California, some of which have since closed, and the 2022 report provided a focused review of how the seven immigration detention facilities operating in California at that time responded to the pandemic in the latter half of 2021, with focus on conditions of confinement and the facilities’ level of compliance with public health and safety measures.

    DOJ’s prior reports identified inadequate mental health care services at detention facilities in California. This finding is consistent with research and other reviews of facilities nationwide and concerning given the negative impacts of detention on mental health. Detained people experience high rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and increased likelihood of self-harm behavior. All these conditions can worsen with increased lengths of time spent in detention facilities. As such, the 2025 report includes a particular focus on the mental health needs of detained individuals, including the availability and quality of mental health services, the prevalence of mental health conditions in the detained population, and the ways conditions of confinement in these facilities impact both mental health conditions and the due process rights of detained individuals.

    Immigration enforcement and detention appears likely to continue to increase across the country under the Trump Administration, as evidenced by the significant increase of individuals held in ICE custody in California: as of April 2025, 3,104 people were held in detention. Future increases in population levels at detention facilities will have implications for the facilities’ ability to provide for health care and other detainee needs. At present, California has an approximate 7,000 detention bed capacity across all facilities which is poised to grow. This year, private detention center owners moved to expand new detention space to two facilities in Kern County.

    Some of the latest report’s key observations include: 

    Pat Downs: DOJ was particularly concerned with Mesa Verde’s pat down search policy, in which detained persons were subjected to pat down searches anytime they left their housing unit. Detained individuals described the searches as invasive and inappropriate and reported a chilling effect on detained people’s decisions about whether to obtain medical and mental health services and meals. The policy resulted in allegations of sexual assault and numerous complaints from detained people against facility staff. 

    Medical Health Records: Recordkeeping, maintenance, and review of health care files at all six facilities were deficient. Without appropriate and comprehensive records, providers were often unable to create and implement adequate treatment plans. 

    Suicide Prevention and Intervention: DOJ identified a deficiency in suicide prevention and intervention strategies in every facility. This finding is particularly concerning because of the high suicide risk in detained populations.  

    Use of Force Practices: At different facilities, staff appeared to be overutilizing discipline and use of force and did not consider mental health conditions prior to engaging in calculated use of force incidents — as is required by ICE’s standards of care. DOJ identified disproportionate use of force against individuals with mental health diagnoses.

    Discipline: At Golden State, detainees were over-disciplined, including for making complaints.

    Solitary Confinement: Solitary confinement is associated with negative mental health outcomes and exacerbation of existing mental health conditions. Facilities generally not did not conduct mental health reviews required by ICE’s detention standards before placing detained people in segregation (also commonly known as solitary confinement) to avoid worsening existing mental health conditions. Some detained people spent periods of several months to over a year in conditions of isolation, which is harmful for any detained person but presents particular risk to those with underlying mental health conditions.

    Medical Care: Across most facilities, detained persons faced delays in securing adequate medical care. At Mesa Verde, detainees face prolonged wait times for critical offsite care.  At Desert View, there were some lapses with respect to the management of infectious diseases which are of particular concern in a facility seeing a high volume and high turnover of detainees who need appropriate treatment. At Otay Mesa, the DOJ team identified some lapses in the quality and timeliness of diagnostic care.  

    Due Process: Detention facilities did not consistently satisfy their obligations to support detained people to ensure that mental health conditions did not negatively impact their immigration outcomes. For example, DOJ received reports that detained people appeared for court without having received prescribed medication or other needed treatment, which meant they could not meaningfully participate in their hearings.  

    DOJ’s Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement will host a Community Briefing on Thursday, May 22 at 10am to share the findings of this report. People interested can register here: https://doj-ca.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_8P7Xa1_3QoSdCJts3EnfbA

    A copy of the report is available in English here and in Spanish here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty to Cockfighting Charges

    Source: US State of California

    Onill Vazquez Lozada of Providence, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty today to two counts of possessing, sponsoring, and exhibiting birds in an animal fighting venture in violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

    As part of his plea, Lozada admitted that on April 27, 2021, he possessed roosters for the purpose of having them fight. Lozada also admitted that on March 6, 2022, he sponsored and exhibited, and aided and abetted sponsoring and exhibiting, at least one rooster in a fight against another rooster.

    Cockfighting is a contest in which a person attaches a knife, gaff or other sharp instrument to the leg of a “gamecock” or rooster and then places the bird a few inches away from a similarly armed rooster. This results in a fight during which the roosters flap their wings and jump while stabbing each other with the weapons that are fastened to their legs. A cockfight ends when one rooster is dead or refuses to continue to fight. Commonly, one or both roosters die after a fight.

    Lozada faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each charge to which he pleaded guilty. Sentencing is scheduled for July 29. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and Acting U.S. Attorney Sara M. Bloom for the District of Rhode Island made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Rhode Island State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Providence, Woonsocket, and Attleboro Police Departments.

    Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner and Assistant Chief Stephen Da Ponte of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney John McAdams for the District of Rhode Island are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    April 30, 2025
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