NewzIntel.com

Category: Law

  • MIL-OSI USA: Florida Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for evading more than $5.5 million in taxes, interest, and penalties that he owed the IRS.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, David Albert Fletcher, of Deltona, owned and operated furniture liquidations businesses, including Century Liquidators. For tax years 2004 through 2013, Fletcher did not timely file his federal income tax returns or pay the taxes he owed. After an audit, the IRS assessed a total of $1.7 million in taxes, interest, and penalties against him.

    To evade collection of these taxes, Fletcher concealed his income and assets from the IRS. For example, Fletcher used nominees to hide his purchases of luxury vehicles, including Rolls Royces. Fletcher also filed false income tax returns that understated his income by several million dollars, and when an IRS special agent interviewed him, Fletcher falsely represented the amount of income he earned.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger for the Middle District of Florida ordered Fletcher to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $7,112,689 in restitution to the United States.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Zachary A. Cobb and Charles A. O’Reilly of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Testerman for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. Louis Man Admits Fraudulently Obtaining Mortgages Worth More Than $1.2 Million

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

    ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday admitted fraudulently obtaining home mortgages totaling more than $1.2 million.

    Edward James Mitchell Jr., also known as Musa Muhammad, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of bank fraud. He admitted participating in four fraudulent home mortgages from October 2021 through November 2023 totaling $1,225,550. Three of the homes are in St. Louis and one is in Florissant. Mitchell’s company, Home Team Solutions LLC, originally purchased the homes. Mitchell pretended to be one of his relatives to purchase two of the homes from his own company, submitting fraudulent mortgage loan applications and false employment and financial information and using his relative’s Social Security number and birthdate, Mitchell’s plea agreement says. He bought another home himself and sold another to his paramour, again submitting false or fraudulent documentation. 

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office believes lending institutions lost $490,946 when Fannie Mae purchased the four home loans. Mitchell’s position is that only two of the loans incurred losses, with a loss amount of $226,950.

    Mitchell, 37, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8. Each bank fraud charge carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both prison and a fine.

    In October 2023, Mitchell legally changed his name to Musa Muhammad.

    The FBI and the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Bateman is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Andover Man Sentenced for Multistate Fentanyl and Cocaine Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A former North Andover man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his participation in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, cocaine and other controlled substances that spanned across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine and Puerto Rico.

    Elvis DeJesus, 34, formerly of North Andover, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 15 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. In June 2024, DeJesus pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine and other controlled substances. In December 2021, DeJesus was charged along with 20 other individuals.

    In May 2020, an investigation began into a network of Lawrence-based drug traffickers. From December 2020 through December 2021, intercepted communications between targets of the investigation and their associates revealed that the defendants distributed fentanyl and cocaine in and around the Lawrence area. Some of the cocaine was obtained from suppliers in Puerto Rico and shipped to Massachusetts in the U.S. mail.

    Together with other co-defendants, DeJesus operated a wholesale fentanyl and cocaine distribution businesses until approximately August 2021, when he was arrested on state firearms charges. In February 2021, $75,930 was seized from co-defendant Luis Martinez after Martinez had collected drug proceeds from DeJesus outside of DeJesus’s residence. In April 2021, a package sent from Puerto Rico to DeJesus’s residence that contained 978 grams of cocaine was also seized. In March 2021, 200 grams of cocaine supplied by DeJesus from co-defendant Othoniel Lara Gonzalez was also seized.  

    After DeJesus’s arrest on the state firearms charges, he was detained in state custody. DeJesus continued to operate his drug distribution business from jail. In November 2021, over 500 grams of fentanyl and over 100 grams of cocaine that co-defendant William Rivadeneira was transporting on DeJesus’s behalf was seized. Prior to the seizure, DeJesus was intercepted chastising Rivadeneira for not having taken adequate precautions while preparing the fentanyl for distribution, telling him, “[Y]ou can get an overdose.”

    In November 2021, DeJesus and his co-conspirators paid co-defendant Gregorit Sanchez, a former Corrections Officer at Middleton House of Corrections where DeJesus was then detained, to smuggle a package containing fentanyl, cocaine, Suboxone and other contraband into the jail. The package was seized from Sanchez when he attempted to enter the jail.

    In February 2025, Luis Martinez was sentenced to five years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In January 2023, Othoniel Lara Gonzalez was sentenced to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. William Rivadeneira pleaded guilty in March 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 22, 2025. In June 2024, Gregorit Sanchez was sentenced to five years’ probation with the first year to be served on home detention.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. More information on the OCDETF program is available here: https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf/about-ocdetf.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Office made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Lawrence Police Department; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Massachusetts State Police; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Essex County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Ferguson and J. Mackenzie Duane prosecuted the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison for evading more than $5.5 million in taxes, interest, and penalties that he owed the IRS.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, David Albert Fletcher, of Deltona, owned and operated furniture liquidations businesses, including Century Liquidators. For tax years 2004 through 2013, Fletcher did not timely file his federal income tax returns or pay the taxes he owed. After an audit, the IRS assessed a total of $1.7 million in taxes, interest, and penalties against him.

    To evade collection of these taxes, Fletcher concealed his income and assets from the IRS. For example, Fletcher used nominees to hide his purchases of luxury vehicles, including Rolls Royces. Fletcher also filed false income tax returns that understated his income by several million dollars, and when an IRS special agent interviewed him, Fletcher falsely represented the amount of income he earned.

    In addition to his prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger for the Middle District of Florida ordered Fletcher to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $7,112,689 in restitution to the United States.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Zachary A. Cobb and Charles A. O’Reilly of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Testerman for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Man Indicted for Obstructing the IRS and Failing to File Tax Returns

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Virginia man with obstructing the IRS and willfully failing to file tax returns.

    According to the indictment, Omini Tete Riman, of Woodbridge, was an information technology specialist. He allegedly filed false 2013 and 2014 tax returns, reporting that he earned nearly $2 million in income and had almost $1 million withheld in taxes. Based on those false statements, Riman allegedly claimed nearly $400,000 in refunds, which the IRS paid.

    The indictment states that starting in 2016, after notifying Riman about his outstanding tax liabilities, the IRS attempted to recover the funds from him. However, Riman allegedly took numerous steps to frustrate the IRS’s collection efforts. For example, it is alleged he transferred his property to a trust, opened bank accounts in the trust’s name and directed that his wages be deposited into the trust’s bank account. It is further alleged that he also submitted false documents to the IRS, including false documents which purported to show that an IRS employee owed him money and that Riman had canceled the debt, which, if accurate, would have caused the IRS employee’s own tax liability to increase.  

    In addition, the indictment alleges that for tax years 2018 through 2023, Riman knew he was legally required to file tax returns but willfully did not do so timely. In fact, after being notified that he was the target of a grand jury investigation in 2025, Riman allegedly filed tax returns for 2017 through 2020 which falsely reported that he had earned no income during those years. 

    If convicted, Riman faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of obstructing the IRS and a maximum penalty of one year in prison for each count of failing to file a tax return. 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 Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Isaiah Boyd III and Daniel Lipkowitz of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Delco Man Who Committed Six Armed Robberies of Area Hotels Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Naim-Shahid Jumah Austin, 28, of Yeadon, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cynthia M. Rufe on Monday to 144 months in prison and five years of supervised release for a spate of armed robberies targeting local hotels in late 2022.

    In January 2023, Austin was charged by indictment with six counts of robbery which interferes with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), and firearms offenses. In December of last year, the defendant pleaded guilty to all the robberies, and to using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

    As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, between September 2022 and December 2022, Austin targeted the hotels in the early morning hours, when one employee was usually working alone at the front desk. He terrorized his victims at gunpoint, demanding that they hand over cash from the registers.

    Austin was armed with a .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol and drove his mother’s car to all six robberies, which occurred at hotels in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties:

    • September 16, 2022, 3:23 a.m. – Courtyard by Marriott, Tredyffrin Township, Pa.
    • September 18, 2022, 4:02 a.m. – Holiday Inn & Suites, Drexel Hill, Pa. (also robbed hotel guest)
    • October 10, 2022, 2:05 a.m. – Fairfield Inn & Suites, Broomall, Pa. (fled empty-handed)
    • November 21, 2022, 3:35 a.m. – Home2 Suites by Hilton, Glen Mills, Pa.
    • December 2, 2022, 4:04 a.m. – Marriott Philadelphia West, West Conshohocken, Pa.
    • December 12, 2022, 4:41 a.m. – Holiday Inn Express & Suites, West Chester, Pa.

    West Goshen Township Police located and arrested Austin minutes after the December 12, 2022, hotel robbery.

    “Naim Austin was on a one-man crime spree, committing six armed robberies in less than three months,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “He threatened the hotel employees he victimized at gunpoint, to terrify them into compliance. This sentence keeps him off the street and holds him accountable for what he’s done. My office and our partners are committed to making our communities safer by bringing violent offenders like this to justice.”

    “Brazen violent criminals like Austin terrorize our communities,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, FBI Philadelphia’s Special Agent in Charge. “This sentencing is a testament to the coordinated efforts between all of law enforcement. The FBI and our partners will never stop working to crush violent crime and ensure our citizens have a safe place to work and live in.”

    This case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Newtown Square Resident Agency and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Tredyffrin Township Police Department, Upper Darby Township Police Department, Marple Township Police Department, Newtown Township Police Department, West Conshohocken Police Department, Birmingham Township Police Department, West Goshen Township Police Department, and Chester County Detectives. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Urban.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Sentenced to More Than Two Years in Prison for Money Laundering Connected to Stolen Federal Funds

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

    Xing Zheng, 35, of Queens, New York, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to launder approximately $2.98 million of fraud proceeds.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FCI Allenwood Inmate Sentenced to 21 Months in Prison for Possessing a Weapon

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

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Anthony Evans, age 28, a federal inmate at the Federal Correction Institution Allenwood (FCI Allenwood), Allenwood, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for possession of a weapon.   

    According to the Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, on July 15, 2024, while an inmate at FCI Allenwood, Evans possessed an inmate manufactured weapon commonly referred to as a “shank.”  The manufactured weapon, which was a piece of metal sharpened to a point with a cloth handle measuring six inches in length, was discovered by a correctional officer during a search of Evans.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson prosecuted the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio, Norcross, Hirono Introduce Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI) reintroduced the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, bicameral legislation to guarantee the right of public sector employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively in states that currently do not afford these basic protections. The lawmakers were joined by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) in introducing the legislation. 

    “No matter where they live, American workers in every sector should have the ability to form and join a union, or to collectively bargain to improve their workplace,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Public servants should have this right, just like other workers. Now is the time for solidarity: let’s come together and stand with hardworking Americans, defend the union way of life, and pass the bipartisan Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act.” 

    “I know the power of collective bargaining because I’ve lived it,” said Congressman Norcross, a union electrician, member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. “I spent decades at the negotiating table standing up for working families—fighting for fair pay, safer jobs, and better benefits like health care and retirement. This bill ensures public-sector workers across the country have the same rights to a voice on their job and a seat at the table.”  

    “Public sector workers teach our children, protect our safety, and keep our communities moving forward—they deserve the right to organize,” said Senator Hirono. “The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act will help ensure that millions of public sector workers across our country have the federal protections they deserve as they fight for fair wages, benefits, and improved working conditions. Private sector workers are already guaranteed the right to organize under federal law, it should be common sense that public sector workers are afforded those same rights. As President Trump works to gut our public sector workforce, this bill is crucial to protect workers’ freedom to organize and bargain collectively. I’m proud to lead this important legislation with Representative Norcross to help ensure that every public employee has their voice heard in the workplace.” 

    “Passing this legislation has never been more urgent — especially now, as federal workers face unprecedented attacks on their collective bargaining rights,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “We believe, as most Americans do, that every worker deserves a union — no matter who they work for. This bill is about something fundamental: respect. Respect for the public service workers who’ve devoted their careers to serving their communities. And respect means the freedom to negotiate.” 

    “When workers stand together in a union, their jobs and lives improve. But in half of the country, the people who keep our cities and towns running are banned from collectively bargaining for a good union contract. Every day, the attacks on the fundamental freedoms of workers who keep our streets and water clean, our public transportation moving, and our children learning are increasing from the highest level of government. We need federal law to protect their rights to form a union and negotiate fair contracts that allow them to continue to do the work that is so essential to our communities. We call on every member of Congress to stand with working people and support the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. 

    “For years now, the rights of workers like nurses, librarians, educators, and all our essential public servants who dedicate themselves to our communities have been chipped away at, despite their dedication and selfless service to their communities,” said Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America. “That’s why the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act is so vital. It protects public sector workers’ fundamental right to join together, bargain for fair pay, and stand up for decent working conditions. Congress needs to step up and pass this now and push back against efforts trying to undermine these essential rights.” 

    “As education, healthcare and public service workers, our members make a difference in the lives of others every day. But too many states don’t allow the people who do the work to have a voice,” said Randi Weingarten, President of AFT. “The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would change that, ensuring public servants, no matter where they reside, have a means to influence their own lives. Whether it’s higher wages, safer working conditions, or a secure retirement, the ability to organize a union and bargain collectively lifts working families, students, patients, and entire communities up. That’s why we enthusiastically support this legislation and are committed to moving it forward.”  

    The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would establish baseline federal protections to ensure all public service workers can join a union and negotiate workplace conditions—regardless of state law. The bill comes at a critical time, as recent federal actions have renewed attention on the collective bargaining rights of public employees, including those serving in national security-related agencies. 

    Specifically, the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act would set a minimum nationwide standard of collective bargaining rights that states must provide, including allowing public service workers to join together and have a voice on the job to improve both working conditions and the communities in which they live and work. The legislation gives public service workers the freedom to: 

    Read the full bill text here.  

    The bill is supported by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); the Communications Workers of America (CWA); American Federation of Teachers (AFT); AFL-CIO; Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU); Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE); International Brotherhood of Teamsters; International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); International Union of Police Associations (IUPA); International Union of Painters & Allied Trades (IUPAT); Laborer’s International Union of North America (LiUNA); National Education Association (NEA); National Nurses United; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Transport Workers Union of America (TWU); UNITE HERE!; United Autoworkers; United Steelworkers (USW). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Pamela Bondi Statement Regarding Creation of a 2nd Amendment Task Force

    Source: US State of California

    WASHINGTON – Attorney General Pamela Bondi released the following statement regarding her creation of a 2nd Amendment Task Force at the Department of Justice:

    “The prior administration placed an undue burden on gun owners and vendors by targeting law-abiding citizens exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. The Department of Justice’s new 2nd Amendment Task Force will combine department-wide policy and litigation resources to advance President Trump’s pro-gun agenda and protect gun owners from overreach.”

    Background:

    • This follows the DOJ and ATF’s Monday repeal of the Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy and the review of Final Rule 2021R-08F, related to stabilizing braces, and Final Rule 2022R-17F, related to the definition of “engaging in the business” of firearms dealing. Read more here.
    • Read the full memo establishing the 2nd Amendment Task Force here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: District Man Indicted on Federal Firearm Charge Under “Make D.C. Safe Again” Initiative

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

             WASHINGTON – Nelson Bryant, 31, of Washington, D.C., has been indicted on a federal firearm charge as part of the “Make D.C. Safe Again” initiative. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

             Make D.C. Safe Again is a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

             Bryant was indicted on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

             According to court documents, on June 9, 2024, MPD officers were conducting routine foot patrol in the 1900 block of 9th Street NW, Washington D.C. when an unidentified citizen alerted an MPD officer to a man with a firearm. Shortly thereafter, officers observed an individual, later identified as defendant Nelson Bryant, matching the citizen’s description in the 1900 block of 9th Street NW. Officers initiated a stop of Bryant, at which point they allegedly witnessed him remove a handgun from his waistband and hand it to an unknown individual within a nearby crowd.

             It is alleged that this unknown male dropped the handgun and fled on foot eastbound on U Street. Bryant was subsequently apprehended by MPD Officers. The firearm, which Bryant allegedly removed from his waistband, was recovered at the location where the unknown subject dropped it.

             Bryant is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous felony conviction. 

             This case was investigated by the ATF and MPD Officers and Detectives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Galloway and Emory V. Cole.  

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fraud Scheme

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

    MIAMI – A Nigerian national has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for orchestrating a fraud scheme which involved the impersonation of property owners and the fraudulent negotiation of vacant lot properties. The sentencing comes after the defendant pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and mail fraud in January.

    Between April 2022 and April 2023, Uwa Nosakhare, 26, and others attempted to sell vacant lot properties in Palm Beach County, Fla., without the owners’ authorization. The fraudsters used the property owners’ and other victims’ personal identifiable information (PII), without their knowledge, to create fake driver licenses, notary credentials, bank account statements and several other property sale documents. After the fraudulent property sale was completed, the buyers were provided with wire instructions to transfer the sale proceeds to bank accounts controlled by those involved in the scheme.  

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) and Chief Michele Miuccio of the Boca Raton Police Department announced the sentence.

    FBI Miami, HSI Miami, PBSO and the Boca Raton Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chapman prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Stone is handling asset forfeiture.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-80084.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Man Sentenced to Federal Prison in Large-Scale COVID-19 Pandemic Loan Scheme

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

    A Pennsylvania man who organized a large scheme to defraud the federal government out of COVID-19 pandemic loan moneys in 2021 was sentenced today to more than six years in federal prison.  Alhaji Kundu Aly, age 35, from Chester, Pennsylvania, formerly of Liberia, received the prison term after a June 14, 2024, guilty plea to one count of wire fraud.

    In a plea agreement, and at the sentencing hearing, Aly admitted that, in 2021, he and others recruited and assisted various individuals in the Northern District of Iowa and elsewhere to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans for which they did not actually qualify, in exchange for a fee.  False, fraudulent, and fictitious documents and statements were submitted to various lending institutions in support of the PPP loans for the PPP applicants.  After the PPP applicants received the fraudulent PPP loans, it was part of the scheme to demand a portion of the PPP moneys from the PPP applicants and, if necessary, Aly traveled to demand payment in person.  Aly traveled to Iowa and demanded payment in person from a PPP applicant.  Aly admitted at his sentencing hearing that he was responsible for approximately $3.5 million in loss based on more than 170 fraudulent PPP loans as a result of the scheme to defraud.

    Aly was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Aly was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment.  He was ordered to make $3,478,781 in restitution the Small Business Administration and two PPP lenders.  Aly must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.         

    Aly was released on a bond previously set and is to surrender to the United States Marshal on April 28, 2025, at 10 a.m., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration assisted the investigation.

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

    The case file number is 23-CR-9.

    Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Man Indicted for Obstructing the IRS and Failing to File Tax Returns

    Source: United States Attorneys General 8

    A federal grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, returned an indictment yesterday charging a Virginia man with obstructing the IRS and willfully failing to file tax returns.

    According to the indictment, Omini Tete Riman, of Woodbridge, was an information technology specialist. He allegedly filed false 2013 and 2014 tax returns, reporting that he earned nearly $2 million in income and had almost $1 million withheld in taxes. Based on those false statements, Riman allegedly claimed nearly $400,000 in refunds, which the IRS paid.

    The indictment states that starting in 2016, after notifying Riman about his outstanding tax liabilities, the IRS attempted to recover the funds from him. However, Riman allegedly took numerous steps to frustrate the IRS’s collection efforts. For example, it is alleged he transferred his property to a trust, opened bank accounts in the trust’s name and directed that his wages be deposited into the trust’s bank account. It is further alleged that he also submitted false documents to the IRS, including false documents which purported to show that an IRS employee owed him money and that Riman had canceled the debt, which, if accurate, would have caused the IRS employee’s own tax liability to increase.  

    In addition, the indictment alleges that for tax years 2018 through 2023, Riman knew he was legally required to file tax returns but willfully did not do so timely. In fact, after being notified that he was the target of a grand jury investigation in 2025, Riman allegedly filed tax returns for 2017 through 2020 which falsely reported that he had earned no income during those years. 

    If convicted, Riman faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison for each count of obstructing the IRS and a maximum penalty of one year in prison for each count of failing to file a tax return. 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 Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Isaiah Boyd III and Daniel Lipkowitz of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Harvey for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kristin Rehler, Special Agent in Charge of the Jacksonville Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Announces Retirement

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

    Kristin Rehler, special agent in charge of the Jacksonville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has announced her retirement, with a departure date of April 17, 2025. She retires after more than 29 years of honorable and dedicated service to the FBI.

    Reflecting on her career, Ms. Rehler stated, “Leading FBI Jacksonville has been the honor of a lifetime. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated professionals in law enforcement—both within the FBI and among our incredible local, state, and federal partners. Our shared mission to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution is made stronger through these vital partnerships. I’m endlessly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together and deeply grateful for the men and women, past and present, whose selfless service make our communities and our country safer.”

    Ms. Rehler began her FBI career in 1996 as a special agent in the Houston Field Office, where she investigated myriad criminal violations, including violent crime, narcotics, and financial crimes. In 2008, she was promoted to supervisor of Houston’s Civil Rights Squad, overseeing the Human Trafficking Task Force.

    In 2012, she was assigned to FBI Headquarters as an assistant inspector/team leader in the Inspection Division, conducting field office inspections, agent-involved shooting investigations, and national program reviews.

    She returned to Houston in 2013 as a supervisor and later served as acting assistant special agent in charge (ASAC) of both the Criminal Branch and the newly formed Technical and Administrative Branch.

    In 2015, Ms. Rehler was promoted to ASAC in the Tampa Field Office, leading the Criminal Branch and overseeing the Evidence Response Team and Operation Panama Express. In 2021, she was appointed ASAC over Tampa’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Branch, managing human intelligence, surveillance, and administrative programs.

    Later that year, she returned to the Inspection Division, where she served as an Inspector prior to being appointed by the Director to lead the Jacksonville Division in April 2024.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Swain County Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Cold Case Murder in Indian Country

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

    ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Ernest D. Pheasant, Sr., 47, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), was sentenced to life in prison today for the 2013 murder of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    “For over a decade, Marie’s family has endured the pain of losing their loved one without justice. Today, that changed,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Ernest Pheasant will pay for his heinous crime by spending the rest of his life behind bars. While nothing can undo the family’s loss, I hope this sentence brings them a measure of justice. My Office remains committed to pursuing cases involving missing or murdered indigenous persons no matter how much time has passed.”

    “While nothing can undo the pain caused by this tragic crime, we hope that this sentence helps to provide closure to the family and friends of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant,” said Marcelino Toersbijns, Chief of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU). “This case is emblematic of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Crisis impacting tribal communities across the country and highlights the importance of the MMU’s mission of analyzing and solving missing, murdered and human trafficking cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives.”

    According to filed documents and information presented in court, on December 29, 2013, the body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant was discovered inside a burned-out vehicle parked near Big Cove Road within the Qualla Boundary in the Western District of North Carolina. Investigators determined that the vehicle had been intentionally set on fire. An autopsy revealed that Marie died from stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. DNA retrieved from a baseball cap found near the vehicle was linked to the defendant, who was Marie’s estranged husband.

    On April 7, 2022, following a review of unsolved homicides in the region, the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Missing and Murdered Unit opened a full interagency investigation into the case. During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Pheasant killed Marie at their home, then transferred her body to the car, drove it to Big Cove Road, and set it on fire. On August 16, 2024, Pheasant pleaded guilty to first degree murder for killing Marie willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation.

    The MMU began as the Cold Case task force, part of Operation Lady Justice, a multi-agency effort established by President Trump’s administration in 2019 to enhance the operation of the criminal justice system and address the staggering number of missing and murdered American Indian and Alaska Natives in tribal communities.

    Today’s sentence is the result of the joint investigation conducted by the MMU, the FBI in North Carolina, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Cherokee Indian Police Department, and the EBCI Office of the Tribal Prosecutor.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex M. Scott of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.

    Operation Not Forgotten

    On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced a surge in FBI resources across the country to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, including crimes relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons. As part of Operation Not Forgotten, 60 FBI personnel will be sent to Field Offices to support investigations of Indian Country violent crimes. The FBI will be assisted by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit and will use the latest forensic evidence processing tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable. U.S. Attorney’s Offices will aggressively prosecute case referrals.

    “Crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are unacceptably high. By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

    “The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on tribal lands and find those who have gone missing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel.

    “Violent crime continues to disproportionately impact communities in Indian Country,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “Dedicating additional resources to reduce violent criminal activity in Tribal communities and solve cases of missing or murdered indigenous persons sends a clear message: No victim will be forgotten, and no crime will go unpunished.”

    Scott Davis, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Interior, exercising the delegated authority of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, said, “We appreciate the partnership of the Department of Justice and the FBI in addressing these crimes. This announcement reinforces our commitment to Indian Country and our dedication to collaborating with federal, state, and tribal agencies to ensure justice for American Indian and Alaska Native victims while holding offenders accountable.”

    Indian Country faces persistent levels of crime and victimization.  At the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.

    Operation Not Forgotten renews efforts begun during President Trump’s first term under E.O. 13898, Establishing the Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.  This is the third deployment under Operation Not Forgotten, which has provided investigative support to over 500 cases in the past two years. Combined, these operations resulted in the recovery of 10 child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments or judicial complaints.

    Operation Not Forgotten also expands upon the resources deployed in recent years to address cases of missing and murdered indigenous people.  The effort will be supported by the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which places attorneys and coordinators in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the United States to help prevent and respond to cases of missing or murdered indigenous people.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Pamela Bondi Statement Regarding Creation of a 2nd Amendment Task Force

    Source: United States Attorneys General 6

    WASHINGTON – Attorney General Pamela Bondi released the following statement regarding her creation of a 2nd Amendment Task Force at the Department of Justice:

    “The prior administration placed an undue burden on gun owners and vendors by targeting law-abiding citizens exercising their 2nd Amendment rights. The Department of Justice’s new 2nd Amendment Task Force will combine department-wide policy and litigation resources to advance President Trump’s pro-gun agenda and protect gun owners from overreach.”

    Background:

    • This follows the DOJ and ATF’s Monday repeal of the Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy and the review of Final Rule 2021R-08F, related to stabilizing braces, and Final Rule 2022R-17F, related to the definition of “engaging in the business” of firearms dealing. Read more here.
    • Read the full memo establishing the 2nd Amendment Task Force here.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison

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

    PROVIDENCE – A Rhode Island man who was previously incarcerated for robbing seven banks was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison for robbing four banks within a three-day span, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.

    Vaughn Watrous, 48, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 108 months of incarceration to be followed by one year of federal supervised release. Additionally, he is ordered to pay restitution to victim banks totaling $4,775.

    Watrous pleaded guilty on April 24, 2024, to bank robbery. At the time of his guilty plea, Watrous admitted to robbing three banks in Providence and Cranston on January 19, 20, and 21, 2021; and attempting to rob a fourth bank in North Providence on January 21, 2021.

    According to court records, Watrous was previously convicted of multiple bank robberies in 1997, 2003, and 2013. In 1997 Watrous was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City, Utah, on a charge of bank robbery and sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. In 2003 he was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Providence on two counts of bank robbery and sentenced to 76 months of incarceration.  In October 2015 he was convicted in U.S. District Court in Providence on four counts of bank robbery and sentenced in February 2016 to a term of incarceration of 92 months.

    The most recent case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julianne Klein and John P. McAdams.

    The matter was investigated by the FBI, with the assistance of the Providence, Cranston, and North Providence Police Departments.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Barry Moore introduces Family Notification of Death in Custody Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Barry Moore

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) introduced the Family Notification of Death in Custody Act alongside Reps. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), John Rutherford (FL-05), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04). Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the companion bill in the United States Senate.

    This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to implement policies and procedures to notify family members in the event of death, serious illness or serious injury while in custody. The Attorney General would also be directed to develop and distribute model notification policies and procedures to state and local detention agencies.

    “Families deserve to be informed when their loved one has died, has a serious illness, or sustains an injury while in custody. In FY21 alone, the Department of Justice failed to identify at least 990 prison and arrest related deaths,” said Moore. “This legislation requiring the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons to implement clear procedures for notifying families if these events occur is a step toward transparency and accountability that ensures no family is left in the dark.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Sentenced to Serve Seven Years in Federal Prison After Police Find Methamphetamine and Cocaine Worth More Than $350,000 Disguised as Christmas Presents in Vehicle

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

    OKLAHOMA CITY – JOHN CALVIN MOORE, 58, of North Carolina, has been sentenced to serve 84 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and illegal possession of a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, on December 22, 2023, Moore was pulled over by an officer with the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD) for speeding while driving eastbound on I-40. During the stop, the officer noticed what appeared to be several gift-wrapped Christmas presents in the trunk of the vehicle. Moore told the officer he was traveling to North Carolina from California. During the stop, OCPD learned Moore’s vehicle was a rental, and was due to be returned to Ontario, California, on December 23, 2023, the day following the stop. OCPD called in a K-9 unit, which alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. OCPD officers then searched the vehicle and found more than 42 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 38 pounds of cocaine inside heat-sealed bags, hidden within the Christmas presents in the trunk. Law enforcement estimates the street value of the drugs to be more than $350,000.

    Moore was charged by Superseding Information on August 30, 2024, with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pled guilty to the Superseding Information on September 26, 2024, and admitted he possessed meth, which he intended to distribute, and that he possessed a firearm despite his previous felony conviction. Public record reflects that Moore has a previous felony conviction in New Jersey for possessing weapons for an unlawful purpose.

    At the sentencing hearing on March 28, 2025, U.S. District Judge Charles Goodwin sentenced Moore to serve 84 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the Court noted the seriousness of the crime—that Moore acted as a courier to transport controlled substances across the country—and Moore’s criminal history.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Criminal Interdiction Team of Central Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew E. Davis prosecuted the case.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Fulton Man Charged with Production, Distribution, and Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Fulton, Mo., man was charged in a three-count indictment issued by a federal grand jury charging him with production, distribution, and possession of child pornography.

    Jacob Stockglausner, 38, was charged in a three-count indictment on April 8, 2025.  The indictment alleges that Stockglausner used a minor child under the age of twelve to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction. The indictment also alleges that Stockglausner distributed a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct using the social media platform Kik.  Stockglausner is also charged with possession of child pornography involving a minor who was prepubescent or less than twelve years of age.

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    Under federal statutes, if convicted, Stockglausner faces federal prison sentences of up to thirty years on the production of child pornography count and twenty years on the distribution and possession counts to be served without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa A. Pierce and Ashley Turner. It was investigated by the Boone County Sheriff’s Cyber Crime Task Force with assistance from the FBI and Callaway County Sheriff’s Department.

    Project Safe Childhood

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously convicted felon sentenced to over a year in prison for illegally possessing a firearm

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

    NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Newport News man was sentenced today to one year and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents, on Nov. 20, 2023, Newport News Police (NNPD) conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle of Malik Lloyd Jerome-Marryshow, 29, and, after verifying his identity, placed Jerome-Marryshow into custody on outstanding arrest warrants for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances with a firearm, and carrying a concealed weapon.

    At the time of his arrest, Jerome-Marryshow was in possession of a loaded handgun. Jerome-Marryshow previously was convicted for carrying a concealed weapon, driving under influence (DUI), credit card fraud, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. As a convicted felon, Jerome-Marryshow cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Jason S. Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia; and Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson C. Yates, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Therese O’Brien prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-cr-11.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work begins on Phillip oval upgrades

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The first stage of work includes construction of a new standalone community sports pavilion. (Artist’s impression)

    Construction has begun on the first stage of upgrades to the Phillip District Enclosed Oval.

    The first sod has been turned on the oval, located on the corner of Ainsworth Street and Albermarle Place.

    The project’s first stage will be a new standalone community sports pavilion. There will also be extra car parking spaces.

    Local construction company Projex Building Group will deliver this first stage.

    Further work will also begin soon. These will include:

    • LED sportsground lighting
    • a new storage shed
    • general oval upgrade works (new irrigation system and new turf wicket)
    • refurbishing the existing Michael O’Connor Grandstand.

    The project is due to be finished in mid-2025.

    The upgrades will meet the growing needs of local sporting groups. Woden Valley residents can also use the oval to meet and play different sports.

    The ACT Government engaged with community and sporting groups to develop the designs.

    Canberra Royals Rugby is one of many sporting groups that will benefit from the upgrades. “This is a fantastic outcome for all involved,” President of Canberra Royals Rugby Union Club Dr Jim Taylor said.

    The upgrades will bring the oval into line with other high-quality enclosed government sportsgrounds across the ACT.

    For further details about the project, including details of the community consultation process, visit the YourSay website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More rentals coming to Canberra’s Inner North

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The site is located close to the light rail and the city centre.

    The ACT Government has sold its first dedicated Build-to-Rent site.

    Contracts have been exchanged for the sale of the site in Turner with Cedar Pacific. At least 270 dwellings will occupy the site in Canberra’s Northbourne Avenue corridor. At least 40 of these homes must be affordable rentals.

    The site is Block 3 Section 57 and is 7,068m2. It is close to public transport, shops and services.

    The ACT Government released the site in October 2022 with the developer to pursue an innovative build-to-rent model.

    The initiative means there will be more homes for Canberrans, and more affordable homes for those that need them. It will give tenants longer term security.

    The release of this land is among a range of measures to improve the number, choice and affordability of homes in Canberra. These measures will meet the needs of our growing population, which is on track to reach half-a-million people by 2027.

    The ACT Government is also supporting community housing providers to deliver Build-to-Rent projects with an affordable rental component as part of its $80 million Affordable Housing Project Fund.

    Build-to-Rent is part of the ACT Housing Strategy 2018-2028.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Experience a taste of France in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Flute is one of Canberra’s French-style cafes. Image: VisitCanberra

    If the 2024 Olympic Games have you wishing you were in Paris enjoying everything France has to offer, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get your French fix here in Canberra!

    From visiting a delicious French café, to pretending you’re cycling in the Tour de France, find some French inspiration right here.

    Visit a French café

    Canberra is home to many French cafes that will serve you up a French macaroon, eclair and more! Dive headfirst into sweet treats from the following venues:

    Dine at a French Restaurant

    Feeling a bit fancy? Enjoy various French meals and dishes at one of Canberra’s French-inspired restaurants. You may still be in Canberra but your taste buds will take a trip to France.

    Learn French

    Bonjour, au revoir, merci. Did you know over 30 per cent of English words come from the French language? Even if you aren’t planning a trip to France, learning a new language can challenge your mind and even enhance your memory and problem-solving skills.

    Alliance Francaise has a French course for all levels and ages. You can book for a one-on-one class, young learners or adult classes all with different levels and experiences.

    Canberra Institute of Technology also provides French language courses and will teach you speaking, listening, reading and writing. You’ll learn the basics of French as well as appropriate sociocultural knowledge and sensitivity.

    Head to a French art exhibition

    Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao is on display at the National Gallery of Australia from 29 June 2024 until 7 October 2024. Explore French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin’s art and controversial legacy through talks, programs, films and his collection of works, plus artwork from contemporary artists from the Pacific.

    The Alliance Francaise also has a gallery of its own. French, Francophiles and Australian artists alike are invited to display their work on the Alliance’s exhibition rooms.

    Enrol in a French cooking class

    Learn to whip up delicious French cuisine in the comfort of your own home. You can learn online or in person and wow your friends and family at your next dinner party.

    The French Cooking Academy allows you to boost your kitchen skills right at home. You’ll learn about iconic French flavours, authentic recipes and upskill your cooking.

    Make your own Tour de France

    The Tour de France is iconic in France and would be a great way to see the country, but unfortunately in Canberra you need to watch from afar. Instead, why not create your own Tour de France right here and explore Canberra by bike? There are many bike paths throughout the city with tracks available for beginners all the way to advanced cyclists.

    Catch Olympic fever at the AIS

    No Paris? No problem. Head over to the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Arena for the full Olympic experience. The AIS will host two watch parties for the Olympic Games, where visitors are invited to relax on a bean bag and watch the Games on the big screens. You can also head along to the AIS Visitor Centre to watch the Channel 9 broadcast of the Games. It will be screening until 11 September.

    For more information, read the Our Canberra story.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Funding to support Canberra’s tourism and hospitality businesses

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    James Souter and Alice O’Mara will use the funding to expand Beltana Farm.

    The ACT Government’s Tourism Product Development Fund will support 15 local businesses this year.

    These businesses will receive a share of close to $500,000 in funding to enhance what they can offer customers.

    Developing better visitor experiences

    The fund encourages co-investment in the tourism, hospitality and events sectors through:

    • infrastructure
    • products
    • experiences.

    Having better visitor experiences in Canberra can help boost the local economy and create jobs.

    It also enhances Canberra’s reputation as a tourism destination.

    Growing Beltana Farm

    Beltana Farm in Pialligo is one successful recipient this year.

    The small business will receive $100,000 to help it expand.

    This will go towards a shop focused on the truffle industry and other local produce. The farm will also add a training and tasting room.

    “Thanks to the support from the Tourism Product Development Fund, we have been able to expand our business offerings, turning our farm into a multifaceted destination,” Beltana Farm owner Alice O’Mara said.

    “Visitors will soon be able to enjoy engaging experiences complemented by curated farm tastings and a boutique shopping experience featuring our farm-made products as well as other Canberra-made produce and items.”

    A wide range of recipients

    Other recipients from this round include:

    • Canberra Glassworks – $10,000 to upgrade their public sound system.
    • National Capital Educational Tourism project – $50,000 for the addition of The Dinosaur Museum and Canberra Glassworks to the Book Canberra Excursions booking platform.
    • High Country Hikes – $11,000 to for the purchase of a vehicle to establish a new walking tour.
    • Gang Gang Cafe – $38,659 for upgraded outdoor dining infrastructure to host live music and cultural events.
    • Abode – The Apartment Hotel Murrumbateman – $25,000 to develop a conference space.
    • Yarralumla Play Station – $30,000 to build ‘The Canberra Maze’.
    • Share-A-Bike – $35,000 to establish a Lakeside Bike Hire pop-up bicycle rental facility.
    • Wilma – $20,000 to establish the new Canberra Region Wine Room.
    • Australian Outward-Bound Foundation – $10,000 for the purchase of a larger bus for transportation.
    • Capital Brewing Co. – $25,000 for the enhancement of an outdoor seating structure.
    • Canberra Racing Club – $25,000 for the installation of Wi-Fi at Thoroughbred Park.
    • Lunetta Trattoria – $20,000 for revitalisation of the Red Hill ground floor kiosk into a modern wine bar.
    • Midnight Hotel – $20,000 to establish the ‘Mark’ brand art hub.
    • The Truffle Farm – $80,000 to construct an additional luxury cabin.

    The fund’s background

    The Tourism Product Development Fund was set up in 2021 to help Canberra’s tourism sector recover after COVID.

    Its success in supporting local businesses and helping the recovery of the local visitor economy has seen it continue.

    Over three years, the program has invested over $4 million in total funding (this includes matched funding from the recipients).

    Some past recipients include: Squeaky Clean, Big River Distillery, Mount Majura Wines, Edgar’s and The Jetty for the enhancement of food and beverage spaces; Go Boat for Go Boat Charters; Australian National University Mt Stromlo Observatory for an astro tourism facility; Dynamic Motivation, Cycle Canberra and Woodlands & Wetlands Trust for Mountain E-bike Tours in Canberra; Cubby and Co for new vineyard accommodation; Capital Woodland and Wetlands Conservation Association for the development of the Majura Treetops Adventure Park; The Canberra Distillery for a distillery education facility.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Special Envoy for Road Safety in Mauritius, Madagascar and Eswatini to support initiatives to increase road safety

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, will visit Mauritius, Madagascar and Eswatini from 8 to 16 April 2025 to support global and national authorities’ road safety initiatives. In particular, the Special Envoy will launch locally the UN Global Campaign for Road Safety #MakeASafetyStatement, developed in partnership with JCDecaux.  He will also join the 2025 Kofi Annan Road Safety Award to be held in Eswatini on 14-15 April.  

    The Special Envoy will meet members of the Government as well as representatives of the private and public sectors two months after the Declaration of Marrakesh where Member states further committed to accelerate efforts for achieving the Decade of Action for Road Safety‘s goal of halving the number of the victims on the road by 2030. 

    The Silent pandemic on the road 

    The Special Envoy Jean Todt qualified road crashes as “The Silent Pandemic on the Road”. Indeed, every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities globally claims the lives of 1.19 million people, leaving 50 million others with severe injuries. Furthermore, road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years.  

    Road crashes are disproportionately high in Africa compared to other regions of the world. The continent loses annually over 300,000 people through road crashes, even though its countries are witnessing the lowest levels of motorization in the world. Africa has a traffic fatality rate of 19.5 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 16 deaths per 100,000 in Southeast Asia, and 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in Europe.  

    “Africa is the continent proportionately most affected by road crashes. Knowing that these affect the youngest first, beyond the human tragedy this is an economic devastation sacrificing or invalidating for life the active force of a country. While the vaccine to avoid this carnage on the road exists, I urgently call on everyone to use it.” — United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt. 

    Thirty-eight percent of all African road traffic fatalities occur among pedestrians while 43 percent occur among car occupants. Motorized 2-3 wheelers and cyclists account for 7 percent and 5 percent of Africa’s traffic deaths respectively. A significant proportion of road fatalities on the continent occur in urban areas.  Furthermore, the ongoing improvement of the quality and coverage of Africa’s roads will increase crashes on the continent if it is not accompanied by appropriate road safety measures.  

    Towards enhanced road safety in Mauritius 

    The fatality rate in Mauritius is 10/100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2023). There is an increase in motorcycles crashes. Under the leadership of the Minister of Land Transport of Mauritius, Hon. Osman Mahomed, a series of 16 measures aiming to improve road safety are being envisaged in the country. Among these: re-introduction of the “Penalty Point System”; introduction of the Graduated Licensing System; helmets for sale for motorcycles of or exceeding a capacity of 50 cubic centimeters should be in accordance with set standards and be made mandatory; road safety education in schools; stringent enforcement by the Police or ERS -Transport Squad with regular crack down operations at night. 

    Men are the most affected, representing 89% of fatalities.Women are mostly victims as pedestrians (64%) and passengers (21%), while men die on motorcycles (35%) and as pedestrians (28%), with an average of 9% each as drivers, cyclists, passengers and passengers on the back (2023 figures, Le Mauricien).  

    “The current Government will implement the necessary projects and initiatives to make our roads safer as we expand and modernize our land transport” highlights Minister of Land Transport Osman Mahomed. 

    Safer roads for economic growth in Madagascar 

    The fatality rate in Madagascar is 22.5/100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2023). Poor maintenance and erosion have rendered a significant portion of the road network (mostly unpaved) unsafe (UNEP 2024). Madagascar has one of the least developed road networks in the world. Transport has been widely recognized as a barrier to the provision of and access to health services in rural areas. Madagascar’s overall poor infrastructure is negatively affecting its economic growth and development opportunities.  

    While 70 percent of primary roads are in good condition, about two-thirds of secondary and tertiary roads are estimated to be in poor condition (WB, 2018). There is a high risk of motorcycle crashes in Madagascar, due to the poor state of roads and the non-use of helmets responding to UN safety standards. When we know that quality helmets reduce the risk of death by over six times and reduce the risk of brain injury by up to 74% (WHO 2021), it is urgent to act to stop the carnage on the road. 

    “By 2030, Madagascar aims to halve road deaths and injuries, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3.6. This ambition falls into a dynamic of profound transformation: build infrastructures respectful of international standards, promote the introduction of new safer vehicles, strengthen technical inspection procedures, and integrate road safety into national education programs. We are also determined to provide training for those involved in the sector, and to ensure more humane and effective assistance of accident victims” highlights Valéry Manambahoaka RAMONJAVELO – Ministry of Transport and Meteorology. 

    Toward vision zero victim on the road In Eswatini 

    The fatality rate in Eswatini is 25/100,000 inhabitants (WHO 2021), affecting first children as well as the most productive age group (15-49 years old). Road crashes impose huge constraints on Eswatini ’s economy, up to 10.8% of GDP (Eswatini National Road Safety Strategy 2023-2030). The Kingdom of Eswatini ratified in 2020 the African Union Road Safety Charter with the vision zero fatal and serious injury on Eswatini’s roads by 2063.  Drink-driving, speeding and overloading, in this order, are the major causes of accidents on the country’s roads. (Times of Swaziland). 

    The Kingdom of Eswatini is making efforts to substantially enhance road safety, with an ongoing road safety legislative reform. The Kingdom has also established a Center of Excellence in Road Safety. In addition, Eswatini is fostering South-South cooperation with other African countries and partners on transport and road safety. 

    The Kofi Annan Road Safety Award

    The Kofi Annan Road Safety Award, organized by the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with UNECA and the Ministry of Transport of Eswatini, will be in the form of certificates of recognition delivered to governments, the private sector or civil society organizations that have made outstanding contributions to road safety in Africa.   

    This year the following countries will receive awards: Cameroon (Innovation & Digitalization), Ethiopia (Public Transportation/Modal shift), Kenya (Safer Vehicles), Nigeria (Road Safety management), Senegal (Road safety financing), South-Africa (post-crash care). 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: CAL Western Students Tour NAVFAC Southwest

    Source: United States Navy

    SAN DIEGO – Professor Laura Padilla at California Western Law School in Downtown San Diego brought her Land Use Law class to tour U.S. Navy Building 750 and to learn about Navy Real Estate and Land Use, April 1st in San Diego.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam to Speak at UConn Law 2025 Commencement

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Arunan Arulampalam, mayor of the City of Hartford, will deliver the commencement address as the UConn School of Law celebrates the Class of 2025 on Sunday, May 18.

    “It is an honor to have Mayor Arulampalam, a leader who has tirelessly worked to revitalize Hartford, as our commencement speaker,” Dean Eboni S. Nelson says. “Many of this year’s graduates have provided legal services to underserved individuals in Hartford through our clinics and pro bono programs, making them key partners in the vital work being done to strengthen our local community. Considering the mayor’s distinguished career of service and advancing justice, his personal and professional journeys will serve as tremendous inspiration for our graduates as they begin their legal careers.”

    The son of Sri Lankan refugees, Arulampalam was born in Zimbabwe and made a home and a family in Hartford after graduate school. Prior to being elected mayor in November 2023, he served as CEO of the Hartford Land Bank, where he developed a first-in-the-nation program to train Hartford residents to become local developers and tackle blight in their city.

    Arulampalam served in Governor Ned Lamont’s administration as Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. Before that, he was a lawyer at the downtown firm Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C. Arulampalam also served on the Board of the Hartford Public Library, the House of Bread, and on the Hartford Redevelopment Authority. He earned his BA in International Studies from Emory University and his JD from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

    “It is an incredible honor to join the UConn School of Law community and celebrate the Class of 2025,” Arulampalam says.  “These graduates represent the future of justice and advocacy, and their commitment to serving others, particularly through their work in Hartford, inspires hope for a stronger, more equitable society. As they embark on this next chapter, I am confident they will continue to make a profound impact on our city, our state, and beyond.”

    The University of Connecticut School of Law will hold its 102nd commencement on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. on the law school campus. The Class of 2025 includes nearly 200 graduates receiving JDs, LLMs, and SJD degrees. For more information, please visit our commencement site.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft

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

    BILLINGS – An Atlanta, Georgia man who defrauded banks in multiple states was sentenced today to 57 months in prison to be followed by 5 years supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $161,401.17 in restitution.

    Stanford Wilvin Lightfoot, 33, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that for approximately 5 months in 2023, Stanford Lightfoot was a member of a large fraud ring that had been defrauding banks in Montana, Maine and Missouri.  In each location, Lightfoot and other coconspirators would travel to the state from the base of operations in Atlanta, Georgia.  Once there, they would recruit local homeless individuals who possessed valid ID cards.  They would then take these homeless individuals to local banks and provide them with fraudulent checks from real accounts.  These checks all possessed forged signatures of real people and were, therefore, means of identification.  The homeless individuals would then attempt to cash the checks and, if successful, would provide the money to Lightfoot and his coconspirators.  If the homeless individuals were caught by police, they would be abandoned to take the blame.  In Montana, Lightfoot hit multiple banks in Belgrade, Bozeman, and Livingston utilizing local homeless individuals to forge checks in excess of $20,000.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case and the investigation was conducted by the FBI, Livingston Police Department, Belgrade Police Department, and Bozeman Police Department.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –