NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI Video: Honoring the Fallen – CBP’s New Valor Memorial | CBP

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    The Valor Memorial is a circular structure consisting of glass window panels, symbolizing the continuation of life and eternity, with no beginning and no end. The panels sit atop a granite foundation, which symbolizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) strength and fortitude, and display the names of CBP’s fallen heroes, evoking the notion that they are etched in our hearts forever.

    CBP comes together each year during National Police Week to recognize and honor employees who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of the American people. National Police Week originated when President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726, and draws thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world to Washington to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. CBP conducts the Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony during Police Week to honor its fallen employees and add names to the Valor Memorial of CBP employees who died in the line of duty.

    Instagram ➤ https://instagram.com/CBPgov
    Facebook ➤ https://facebook.com/CBPgov
    Twitter ➤ https://twitter.com/CBP
    Official Website ➤ https://www.cbp.gov

    #cbp
    #memorial
    #remember
    #lawenforcement
    #policeweek

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw7s3rYcKHg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: 🎥ICE Atlanta agents arrested Venezuelan fugitive May 17

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    ICE Atlanta agents arrested this Venezuelan fugitive May 17 — He’s wanted for murder! As promised, here’s the video of the at-large arrest.

    The United States is not a safe haven for fugitives. Do not sneak into our country to evade justice. We will find you and arrest you.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPwV0HqBo-c

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Supports Artemis Accords Signatories Advancing Exploration

    Source: NASA

    The United States participated in an international Artemis Accords workshop May 21-22 to advance the safe and responsible exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Hosted by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which was represented by the UAE Space Agency, the workshop took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
    The Artemis Accords are a set of non-binding principles signed by nations for a peaceful and prosperous future in space for all of humanity to enjoy. In October 2020, under the first Trump administration, the accords were created, and since then, 54 countries have joined with the United States in committing to transparent and responsible behavior in space.
    “Following President Trump’s visit to the Middle East, the United States built upon the successful trip through engagement with a global coalition of nations to further implement the accords – practical guidelines for ensuring transparency, peaceful cooperation, and shared prosperity in space exploration,” said acting NASA Administrator Janet Petro. “These accords represent a vital step toward uniting the world in the pursuit of exploration and scientific discovery beyond Earth. NASA is proud to lead in the overall accords effort, advancing the principles as we push the boundaries of human presence in space – for the benefit of all.”
    Participants from 30 countries joined the discussions and a tabletop exercise centered on defining challenges for operating in a complex environment.
    As the Artemis Accords workshop concluded Thursday, participants reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the principles outlined in the accords and to continue identifying best practices and guidelines for safe and sustainable exploration. The first workshop was hosted by Poland in 2023, followed by Canada in 2024.
    Artemis Accords signatories have committed to sharing information about their activities to the United Nations of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and other appropriate channels. Transparency and communication are key to peaceful exploration.
    The Artemis Accords signatories will gather for face-to-face discussions on the margins of the International Astronautical Congress in late September, where workshop recommendations and outcomes will be presented to the Artemis Accords principals. NASA anticipates additional countries will sign in the coming weeks and months.
    The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements, including the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices for responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data. 
    Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.22.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 22, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Tala Khalaf, of San Carlos, has been appointed to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Khalaf has been a Senior Physical Therapist at the Stanford Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic since 2008, Faculty Member of the Physical Therapy Residency Program at Stanford Health Care since 2014, a Self-Employed Concierge Physical Therapist since 2017, and the Co-Founder of PhysioHand since 2020. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Khalaf earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Massachusetts General Hospital and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Ohio State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Khalaf is a Democrat. 

    Donna DeBerry, of San Diego, has been appointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association San Diego County Fair Board. DeBerry has been Chief Executive Officer of Donna Deberry & Associates since 2025. DeBerry was the President and Chief Executive Officer for the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce from 2020 to 2025. She was the Vice President of Global Inclusion at Seismic from 2021 to 2022. She was the Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Indeed from 2016 to 2018. She was the Global Manager Inclusion & Diversity at Starbucks from 2014 to 2016. She was a Global Diversity & Inclusion Executive Consultant at Brand Inclusion from 2007 to 2014. She was a consultant and Vice President of Global Diversity at Nike from 2004 to 2006. DeBerry was the Executive Vice President of Global Diversity at Wyndham Worldwide from 2000 to 2004. DeBerry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Diversity and Organizational Development from Thomas Edison State College. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. DeBerry is registered without party preference.

    Kartikeya “KK” Jha, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, where he has served since 2022. Jha has been District Director of Operations at Omnicare, a CVS Health Company since 2019. He was Director of Operations at Nimble Rx from 2018 to 2019. Jha earned a Master of Science degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Long Island University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Jha is a Democrat.

    Nicholas Hardeman, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California Housing and Finance Agency Board of Directors. Hardeman has been Principal at Hardeman Strategies and Consulting since 2024. He was Chief of Staff to Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Toni G. Atkins in the California State Senate from 2016 to 2024. Hardeman held several positions in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2016, including Chief of Staff to Speaker pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins, Special Assistant to Speaker pro Tempore John Pérez, and Chief of Staff to Speaker pro Tempore Fiona Ma. He was a Policy Consultant in the California State Senate from 2003 to 2006. Hardeman is a Board Member on the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors, Brightline Defense Project, and The California Storm. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Government in Politics from Saint Mary’s College of California. This position requires Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Hardeman is a Democrat.

    Jason Newell, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, where he has served since 2024. Newell has been Principal and Co-Founder at System2Solutions since 2020. He was Co-Founder and Program Director of the Leveraging Equal Access Program from 2015 to 2024. Newell earned a Master of Social Work degree in Community Mental Health from California State University, East Bay, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Advertising Design from Academy of Art College. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Newell is a Democrat.

    Nicole Thibeau, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the State Board of Pharmacy, where she has served since 2021. Thibeau has been Director of Pharmacy Services at the Los Angeles LGBT Center since 2013. She was the Pharmacist in Charge at Target Pharmacy from 2012 to 2013. Thibeau was the Pharmacist in Charge at CVS Pharmacy from 2009 to 2012. She earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Thibeau is a Democrat.

    Daniel Lee, of South Sacramento, has been reappointed to the Podiatric Medical Board of California, where he has served since 2020. Lee has been a Foot and Ankle Surgeon for The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente since 2011, Clinical Professor at the California Northstate University, College of Medicine since 2013, Clinical Professor at the California School of Podiatric Medicine since 2021 and Associate Clinical Professor at Western University College of Podiatric Medicine since 2021. He is a Member of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. Lee earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Sciences from Chulalongkorn University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lee is registered without party preference.

    Maria Preciosa Solacito, of Palmdale, has been reappointed to the California Veterinary Medical Board, where she has served since 2020. Solacito has been a Practice Owner in Antelope Valley since 2023. She held multiple positions at the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control from 2008 to 2023, including Deputy Director, Senior Veterinarian, and Shelter Veterinarian. Solacito is a member of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Southern California Filipino Veterinary Medical Association, Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, California Animal Welfare Association, and the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association. She earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Solacito is a Democrat.

    Cheryl Williams, of San Diego has been reappointed to the Respiratory Care Board, where she has served since 2021. Williams has been an Insurance Consultant for the American Family Life Assurance Company since 2015. She was a Community Relations Coordinator at the San Ysidro Health Center from 2010 to 2015. Williams was a Constituent Service Manager in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2010. She was an Assistant Campaign Field Manager for Mary Salas for State Assembly from 2005 to 2006. Williams was a Community Development Consultant at the Jacobs Foundation in San Diego from 2001 to 2004. She was President and Chief Executive Officer at the San Diego Circuit Board Service from 1981 to 2000. Williams was a Hearing and Placement Assistant for the San Diego Unified School District from 1977 to 1981. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and San Diego Delta Foundation Inc. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Williams is a Democrat.

    Carel Mountain, of Fair Oaks, has been reappointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, where she has served since 2018. Mountain has been an Assistant Professor of Nursing at California State University, Sacramento since 2022. She was an Adjunct Faculty Member at Pacific Union College from 1997 to 2023. Mountain was Director of Nursing at Sacramento City College from 2016 to 2022. She was an On-Line Instructor for the University of Phoenix from 2006 to 2019. Mountain was a Professor at Shasta College from 1997 to 2016. She is a member of the National League of Nursing and California Organization of Associate Degree Nursing Educators. Mountain earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from California State University, Fresno, a Master of Science degree in Nursing Administration and Education from California State University, Sonoma, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations from Pacific Union College. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Mountain is a Democrat.

    Gloria Gregoria Guzman, of Bakersfield, has been reappointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, where she has been serving since 2023. Guzman has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Kaiser Permanente since 1989. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Guzman is a Democrat.

    Aleta Carpenter, of Redding, has been reappointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, where she has served since 2016. Carpenter has been a Consultant at ACE Communications since 2013. She was a Community Education Specialist II for the Public Health Department at the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency from 2007 to 2012. Carpenter was a Lobbyist and Partner at Carpenter, Snodgrass and Associates from 1982 to 2003. She is the Chair of the Youth Violence Prevention Council/Youth Options Shasta and Shasta County Tobacco Education Coalition, School Board Member for the California Heritage YouthBuild Academy, and Member of the Shasta Environmental Alliance and the Redding Community Grant Advisory Committee. Carpenter earned a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Carpenter is a Democrat.

    Seyron Foo, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the Board of Psychology, where he has served since 2017. Foo has been Senior Program Officer at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation since 2022, where he was previously Senior Advocacy Officer from 2020 to 2022. He held several positions at Southern California Grantmakers from 2016 to 2020, including Vice President of Public Policy and Government Relations, Director of Public Policy and Government Relations, and Senior Manager of Public Policy and Government Relations. Foo was a Senior Policy Analyst for the Director’s Office at the City of Long Beach Public Works Department from 2015 to 2016. He was a David M. Wodynski Memorial Fellow at the Long Beach City Manager’s Office from 2014 to 2015. Foo held multiple positions for Senate Majority Leader Ellen M. Corbett in the California State Senate from 2009 to 2012, including Legislative Aide and Senate Fellow. Foo earned a Master in Public Affairs degree from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Political Science from University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Foo is a Democrat.

    Mary Harb Sheets, of San Diego, has been reappointed to the Board of Psychology, where she has served since 2018. Harb Sheets has been a Self-Employed Clinical Psychologist since 1994. She was a Senior Consultant and Staff Psychologist at Workplace Guardians, Inc. from 2000 to 2023. Harb Sheets was an Adjunct Faculty Member in Advanced Law and Ethics at Alliant University from 2012 to 2018. She was a Counseling Psychologist and Adjunct Faculty Member at California State University, San Diego from 1990 to 1998. Harb Sheets was a Registered Psychological Assistant for Gary De Voss, Ph.D. from 1992 to 1994. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, San Diego. Harb Sheets is a member of the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, National Register of Health Services Psychologists, and San Diego Psychological Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Harb Sheets is a Democrat.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    May 22, 2025

    News What you need to know: The state today began restoring shallow water habitats in the Salton Sea as part of California’s first major habitat restoration project in the region – a key step for improving local wildlife conditions and suppressing dust to improve air…

    May 22, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced California will fight the U.S. Senate’s illegal vote aiming to undo key parts of the state’s clean vehicles program in court. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today the…

    May 22, 2025

    News What you need to know: The Pacific Coast Highway, which was closed following the Palisades Fire, will reopen to public travel ahead of schedule this Friday in advance of Memorial Day Holiday.  LOS ANGELES – Following through on his commitment to reopen a critical…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California reaches major restoration milestone at the Salton Sea

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 22, 2025

    What you need to know: The state today began restoring shallow water habitats in the Salton Sea as part of California’s first major habitat restoration project in the region – a key step for improving local wildlife conditions and suppressing dust to improve air qualities for surrounding communities.

    SALTON SEA – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a major restoration milestone at the Salton Sea – filling the East Pond Expansion with water to restore habitats lost over time due to increased salination and water loss. This comes as part of the larger Species Conservation Habitat Project, a 10-year plan for implementing projects around the Salton Sea to develop an environment sustainable for local wildlife and improve air quality by reducing dust expelled from the dried seabed.

    The Salton Sea, California’s largest inland water body, has shrunk in recent years due to reduced inflows, resulting in an exposed lakebed that could potentially release small dust particles that further impact the already-poor air quality in the Imperial Valley. The reduced water levels and increased salinity also negatively impact habitat for wildlife, including birds traveling the Pacific flyway.

    “Today marks a major step in California’s environmental leadership – breathing life into critical ecosystems while creating cleaner air for communities around the Salton Sea. Thanks to the support of our local and federal partners, we’re making real the first major restoration project the Salton Sea has ever seen.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Drone images show the partially filled East Habitat Pond, which is part of the Species Conservation Habitat Project at the Salton Sea

    Today’s milestone is just the latest example of Governor Newsom’s prioritization of delivering large-scale projects at the Salton Sea that create environmental habitats and provide benefits to nearby communities. Previously envisioned as a 4,100 acre project funded primarily through bond funds at a cost of approximately $200 million, the state secured additional commitments from the federal government in recent years totaling $245 million – allowing the Species Conservation Habitat Project to more than double in size. 

    “Filling the East Pond Expansion represents a major step forward in our commitment to the Salton Sea region,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “Today’s action is proof that with strong partnerships and persistence, we can continue to make real progress that benefits both people and wildlife at the Sea.” 

    “Today, we can point to clear progress being made to improve conditions in the Salton Sea, which is critical to the health and economies of the Imperial and Coachella Valleys,” said State Water Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel. “These habitat restoration efforts help suppress dust from the exposed lakebed while protecting the Pacific Flyway, supporting diverse ecosystems, providing recreational opportunities and enhancing overall quality of life. For too long the Sea has been seen as an unfortunate liability, when in fact it is one of California’s greatest assets. This project, with federal, state, tribal, local and community leadership, is turning the page on that narrative.”

    Waterfowl seen along the New River Diversion Structure, which is part of the Species Conservation Habitat Project at the Salton Sea

    The initial groundbreaking for the East Pond Expansion was last October. Today’s milestone comes in addition to California’s efforts to enhance wetland habitat and improve public health and environmental conditions at the Salton Sea, including transforming the region into a global hub for battery production, essential to the state’s transition to zero-emission vehicles. 

    In 2023, Governor Newsom visited a project that is being implemented as part of the Salton Sea Management Program to enhance wetland habitat and improve public health and environmental conditions at the Salton Sea.

    The total Species Conservation Habitat Project footprint is now envisioned to span over 9,000 acres – enough space to fit roughly 7,500 football fields. It will create a network of ponds, berms, nesting and loafing islands, and water delivery systems engineered to sustain fish and bird populations – helping to restore the local ecosystem and protect air quality by reducing dust at a key area of previously exposed lakebed at the Salton Sea. Today’s filling of the East Pond Expansion, combined with the filling of the original East Pond in early April, means that roughly 2,000 acres of the project will be operational in the coming weeks. Additional work continues to complete the remaining expansion components of the project.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    May 22, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced California will fight the U.S. Senate’s illegal vote aiming to undo key parts of the state’s clean vehicles program in court. SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today the…

    May 22, 2025

    News What you need to know: The Pacific Coast Highway, which was closed following the Palisades Fire, will reopen to public travel ahead of schedule this Friday in advance of Memorial Day Holiday.  LOS ANGELES – Following through on his commitment to reopen a critical…

    May 22, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 22, 2025, as “Harvey Milk Day.”The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONToday, we honor Harvey Milk – a hero for not just his own community,…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Digital Agriculture Form Boosts Compliance Among Travelers

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Digital Agriculture Form Boosts Compliance Among Travelers

    Akamai Arrival Pilot Phase Shows Strong Results as State Moves Toward Expansion

    From left: Department of Agriculture Chairperson Sharon Hurd, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Deputy to the Chair Dean
    Matsukawa, DOA IT staff member Jason Azus-Richardson, and Plant Quarantine Manager Jonathan Ho.
    Link to Press Conference Recording
     (Courtesy: Office of the Lt. Gov.)

    HONOLULU — Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke announced today that the pilot phase of Hawaiʻi’s new Akamai Arrival digital agriculture form has shown strong results, with an average 74% compliance rate for the state’s mandatory Plants and Animals Declaration—compared to 60% under the previous paper-only system.

    The Akamai Arrival initiative is a key component of the state’s broader effort to modernize government services, protect local agriculture, and improve the travel experience for both visitors and returning residents. By transitioning from paper to digital, the state has enhanced its ability to collect accurate data in real time and respond more quickly to potential biosecurity threats.

    Launched on March 1, the three-month pilot program which ends May 31, was implemented on 30% of incoming flights—more than 100 routes. Six major airlines participated, with Southwest and American Airlines incorporating the digital form on all of their Hawaiʻi-bound flights.

    “Akamai Arrival reflects our commitment to modernizing government services in ways that make sense for both travelers and the state,” said Lt. Gov. Luke. “The digital form offers convenience through quick completion, flexible submission options, and multiple language choices—while also providing real-time data that helps us identify and respond to potential biosecurity threats more effectively.”

    Based on the pilot’s success, Lt. Gov. Luke announced that the state, in collaboration with airline partners and key stakeholders, will expand the Akamai Arrival program to additional flights throughout the remainder of the year.

    The digital form, accessible up to five days before departure, is currently available in six languages, with more in development to increase accessibility for non-English-speaking travelers.

    Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity system remains the state’s first line of defense against invasive species that threaten native ecosystems, local food production, and the economy. Moving to a digital platform strengthens this system by allowing faster, more efficient monitoring and response.

    “Biosecurity is critical to protecting our local agriculture, environment, and way of life. By moving to a digital platform, we can more effectively identify potential threats and respond quickly to protect Hawaiʻi from invasive species,” said Sharon Hurd, Department of Agriculture chairperson.

    The Akamai Arrival platform was developed using internal resources, with no additional cost to taxpayers. It aligns with the state’s goals of sustainability, modernization, and biodiversity protection.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Las Vegas Resident Sentenced to Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to 24 years and four months in prison followed by lifetime supervised release. In June 2022, a jury convicted Barry Allen Gabelman (52) of coercion and enticement. Under the Sex Offender Registration Notification Act, Gabelman is required to register as a sex offender after completion of his prison term.

    According to court documents, from October 31 to December 6, 2019, Gabelman exchanged sexually explicit messages and photos via social media and a messaging account with individuals whom he believed to be an 11-year-old girl and her stepfather. During their communications, Gabelman discussed having sex with the girl, requested nude images of the girl, and sent the girl photos of his genitals. On December 6, 2019, he traveled to a pre-arranged location in Las Vegas intending to have sex with the girl, but instead he was arrested by law enforcement.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bianca Pucci and Supriya Prasad prosecuted the case.

    The 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood and for information about internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    Anyone with information on suspected child sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, or https://report.cybertip.org.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Prison for Role in Large Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A member of the Pomona Sur Lokotes (PSL) drug trafficking organization was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his leadership role in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Nevada.

    Luis Arellano, aka “Lewis Arellano” and “Laughter,” (31) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

    According to court documents, in December 2019, law enforcement began investigating Arellano and other members of PSL. The evidence showed that Arellano was responsible for distributing over 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, in Las Vegas. He also directed other members to import methamphetamine from California and Mexico to Las Vegas.

    Co-defendants Jacqueline Martinez (31) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 78 months in prison; Amelio Che Medina (45) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 97 months in prison; Anna Barrios (34) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 months in prison; and Victor Manuel Rodriguez, aka “Smokey” (39) pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 100 months in prison. Co-defendants Ivan Salazar, aka “Evil,” (40) and Domingo Montes, aka “JR,” (36) pleaded guilty and await sentencing.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Sokolich prosecuted the case.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Committing Robberies While on Supervised Release

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to four years and nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for carrying out a series of commercial robberies while on supervised release.

    Alfonzo Dale Lobas (34) pleaded guilty in November 2022 to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery.

    According to court documents, on November 19, 2021, Lobas began a term of supervised release after an earlier conviction for a series of robberies. He admitted that, between January 16 and 28, 2022, he brandished an air pistol to intimidate cashiers at three gas station and convenience stores. During a robbery on January 20, 2022, Lobas told the cashier to “empty the register and hurry up,” and on January 24, when asked by a witness why he was robbing the store, he replied “because it’s fun.” At each of the robberies, he approached the cashier and demanded money while holding what the cashier believed to be a handgun.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ninth Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Involvement in Large-Scale Methamphetamine Trafficking Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    LAS VEGAS – A Henderson resident was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 65 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

    Brian Scarborough (47) pleaded guilty in September 2022 to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance – methamphetamine. Scarborough was the ninth defendant to plead guilty for his role in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Las Vegas.

    According to court documents, from a date unknown to April 17, 2019, Scarborough conspired with others – including Miriam Elizabeth Suarez-Contreras, aka “Ella” and “Liz,” who was an organizer of the criminal conspiracy – to distribute methamphetamine in the Las Vegas area. As part of the conspiracy, Suarez-Contreras, a Mexican national, received methamphetamine orders via telephone while she was living in California, and dispatched different drug couriers to deliver the methamphetamine in Las Vegas. On April 3, 2019, the FBI executed a search warrant of Scarborough’s hotel room after he had ordered methamphetamine from Suarez-Contreras via telephone and discovered about 130 grams of methamphetamine and a 9mm handgun.

    Co-defendants Suarez-Contreras was sentenced to 135 months in prison; Roberto Blancas-Mata, aka “Carlos Delgado,” of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison; Rahdsma Henderson, aka “Weezy,” of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 41 months in prison; Stephen Lloyd, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to time served; Doug Stumpf, of Henderson, was sentenced to 46 months in prison; Renea Barnes, aka “Renea Valdez,” of Las Vegas, was sentenced to 48 months in prison; Quentin Armstrong, of Sandy Valley, Nevada, was sentenced to 90 months in prison; and Jose Guillermo Tello-Albarran, of Las Vegas, was sentenced to time served. Charles Parr, aka “Charles Magnuson,” of Salt Lake City, Utah, awaits sentencing.

    United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

    The case was investigated by the Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and the North Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Melanee Smith is prosecuting this case.

    This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Amy Kaskel: Albuquerque Field Office

    Source: US FBI

    I joined the FBI in 1999 and have worked national security and counterintelligence investigations in the New York and Los Angeles offices and at FBI Headquarters. I have also managed human intelligence operations and witness security programs and served as a team leader in the inspection division. In March 2020, I was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Albuquerque Field Office.

    What drew you to the FBI?  

    While working as a customs inspector at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, I met the FBI special agent assigned to the airport. One day he suggested I apply, but I thought all FBI agents were men who had been attorneys, accountants, law enforcement, or military. He explained the FBI was looking for smart, inquisitive people with varied backgrounds and life experiences. 

    I was drawn to the FBI because of the many opportunities, unique travel, interesting training, fascinating overseas assignments, challenging collateral duties, the opportunity to protect the United States, and no more polyester uniform! Now, 23 years later, I am a different person because of the opportunities presented to me in my career and am glad I was encouraged to apply to the FBI.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Investigates Suspected Child Sexual Abuse

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – The FBI is investigating allegations of child sexual abuse involving a minor against a man in Vanderwagen, New Mexico.

    Nolin Leupp, 26, appeared before a federal judge and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled, on charges of receiving child sexual abuse material.

    According to court documents, on December 8, 2024, a witness reported a suspected sexual assault involving Leupp and a minor victim. The witness further disclosed concerning communications between Leupp and the victim, including Snapchat messages of a sexual nature and plans to meet late at night.

    During a subsequent interview on December 19, 2024, Leupp admitted to a romantic relationship with the minor. A search of Leupp’s phone revealed four videos of suspected child sexual abuse material, downloaded from Discord and Snapchat.

    If convicted of the current charges, Leupp faces a mandatory minimum of 5 and up to 20 years in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case as part of as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

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

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Indian Citizen Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Health Care Fraud Scheme

    Source: US FBI

    Owned lab in Everett, WA that billed Medicare $8.7 million for COVID tests that were never legitimately ordered or performed

    Seattle – An Indian national indicted for health care fraud will make his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Mohammed Asif, 34, was arrested on April 10, 2025, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport while attempting to board an international flight. Asif is charged with health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with the operation of American Labworks LLC, a diagnostic testing laboratory in Everett, Washington. The indictment alleges that Asif conspired with others to bill Medicare for COVID-19 tests and other respiratory illness tests that had not been ordered or performed.

    “Medicare provides critical funding for senior citizens’ health care needs, which makes this type of fraud all the more reprehensible,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “This case stands as an example of how federal law enforcement is working diligently to protect those critical tax dollars from fraud schemes.”

    According to the indictment and an earlier-filed criminal complaint, the Washington Secretary of State has American Labworks being formed in October 2021 and dissolved in March 2025. Washington Department of Health records indicate that its license as a Medical Test Site expired in December 2023. Asif is listed in filings with the state and with Medicare as the owner and director of American Labworks.

    Claims data from April 2024 to December 2024 show that American Labworks billed Medicare more than $8.7 million for laboratory testing services, including for COVID-19 testing. Medicare paid out over $1.1 million to the lab.

    Between June 2024 and March 2025, Medicare received more than 200 complaints from enrollees and others about American Labworks. Many of these complainants reported that Medicare was billed for testing that was never received. For example, one Medicare enrollee noted that Medicare paid American Labworks $545 for COVID-19 tests in August 2023 and March 2024. But the beneficiary had never had any COVID-19 tests on those dates. Multiple Medicare beneficiaries said they too had seen bills for tests that never occurred. Physicians who had allegedly ordered the tests said they had not sent patients to American Labworks, and many patients said they had never heard of the referring physician listed in the records.

    In some instances, the billing records indicated a beneficiary’s testing date of service occurred after other records indicated the beneficiary was dead. And in other instances, the physician who allegedly referred the patient for testing was dead at the time of the date of service.

    Financial records indicate Mohammed Asif received multiple checks and made withdrawals from the American Labworks bank account, which he controlled. In May 2024, he withdrew $260,000 from the American Labworks checking account. Soon after that Asif, who had been in the U.S. on a student visa, retuned to India. He came back to the U.S. in March 2025 as investigators were unraveling the fraud. Prosecutors and special agents with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) moved quickly to draft the criminal complaint and take Asif into custody. A grand jury then returned the indictment of Asif on April 23.

    Asif is alleged to have conspired with other people to accomplish the fraud. Those coconspirators are not named in the criminal complaint or indictment. The government’s investigation is ongoing.

    “By all appearances, there is nothing legitimate about Mr. Asif’s company.” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Mr. Asif, along with his co-conspirators, used this apparently illegitimate company to fraudulently bill Medicare almost $9 million for tests that were never done. When we receive allegations such as these, the FBI and our partners will aggressively investigate potential fraud against the US taxpayer.”

    “Through this scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for laboratory testing services never furnished, the defendant diverted taxpayer money that was meant to pay for legitimate medical services,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robb Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who exploit federal health care programs for their own personal gain.”

    Health care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud are punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

    The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    The case is being investigated by HHS-OIG and the FBI.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Philip Kopczynski.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Schenectady Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years on Methamphetamine Conviction

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Ocyris Morgan, age 36, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell it.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Morgan admitted that he intended to sell the 21.4 grams of methamphetamine law enforcement seized from his house on June 1, 2023, and when he overheard agents saying they found between one-half and one ounce of methamphetamine, Morgan corrected them, “21.7, to be exact.”  Morgan also admitted to receiving $10,130 over the course of 12 instances in which he sold a total of 93 grams of methamphetamine and 50 grams of cocaine base to several customers.  He further admitted to possessing a firearm and bullet-proof vest.

    Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 4-year term of supervised release and ordered Morgan to forfeit the $10,130 he made from the drug sales. 

    The FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Task Force—made up of FBI Special Agents as well as members of other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Schenectady Police Department—investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: The Grand Health Care System and 12 Affiliated Skilled Nursing Facilities to Pay $21.3 Million for Allegedly Providing and Billing for Fraudulent Rehabilitation Therapy Services

    Source: US FBI

    Company Admits that Supervisory Officials Falsified Information in Medical Records

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Strauss Ventures LLC doing business as The Grand Health Care System and 12 affiliated skilled nursing facilities (collectively, the Grand), have agreed to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly billing federal health care programs for therapy services that were unreasonable, unnecessary, unskilled, or that simply did not occur as billed. Many of the settling facilities are located in upstate and central New York, including in Albany, Oneida, Madison, Columbia, and Herkimer counties.

    “Today’s settlement protects patients and taxpayers by ensuring that medical treatment is dictated by patient need and not by financial motive,” said United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman.  “Skilled nursing facilities provide important services to a vulnerable population, and we will continue to hold them accountable when they provide patients with unnecessary services and falsify records.”

    The settlement resolves allegations that from as early as January 1, 2014 to September 30, 2019, the Grand knowingly submitted false claims for rehabilitation therapy for residents at 12 facilities Strauss Ventures owned and operated. During this period, Medicare Part A (Medicare’s hospital insurance, which also pays for care in a skilled nursing facility in some circumstances) and TRICARE (the federal health care program for the Department of Defense) paid for such services at rates that varied based on the number of minutes of skilled rehabilitation therapy provided. The Grand allegedly submitted bills where the reimbursement claimed was based on providing more therapy than was reasonable and necessary, or in some cases where the therapists did not provide the amount of therapy reported. 

    As part of the settlement, the Grand admitted that certain now-former Grand management level employees implemented quotas that each of the 12 facilities was expected to reach, including quotas relating to beneficiaries’ lengths of stay and to the percentage of beneficiaries billed at the highest reimbursement level. To meet these quotas, facilities often scheduled patients to receive therapy without consideration of what was reasonable and necessary based on the individual patients’ clinical condition. In addition, the Grand directed that no more than three patients be discharged from any facility per week and instructed that no Medicare Part A patients should be discharged from rehabilitation therapy unless it had been discussed with corporate officials. The Grand admitted that this resulted in some Medicare beneficiaries “staying on therapy longer than was reasonable and medically necessary.” 

    The Grand acknowledged that there were various instances where supervisory officials, who did not personally evaluate or treat patients, set or adjusted the number of minutes of therapy that a Medicare patient would receive. The Grand also acknowledged that there were instances where supervisory personnel falsified the number of therapy minutes in the Grand’s electronic recordkeeping system or instructed subordinates to do so, well after the therapy was allegedly rendered.

    “We expect nursing facilities to provide only reasonable and appropriate amounts of skilled rehabilitation therapy service to their residents and to bill government healthcare programs only for the services actually provided,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. “The department is committed to protecting both vulnerable nursing home patients and taxpayers against fraudulent conduct by unscrupulous actors.” 

    The settlement also resolves federal allegations that the Grand submitted false claims to Medicaid for services rendered at its Pawling, New York nursing home between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2021. These claims were allegedly false because the reimbursement rate was inflated by data inaccurately reflecting the degree of care, including rehabilitation therapy services, needed by Medicaid patients there. 

    The Grand has also entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) that requires an independent review organization to annually assess the medical necessity and appropriateness of therapy services billed to Medicare.

    “Violations of the False Claims Act are absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the FBI and its partners,” said Executive Assistant Director Michael Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch. “We will continue our work of protecting the American taxpayer by relentlessly pursuing businesses that do not comply with the rule of law. If you bill federal health care programs in an unnecessary manner, there will be consequences.”

    “The Grand admitted to providing unnecessary care to our most vulnerable, to include knowingly keeping patients in their facilities and away from their loved ones when they needed them most,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albay Field Office. “This settlement illustrates the FBI’s commitment to working with our partners to protect federally funded healthcare programs from abuse by companies looking to line their pockets with taxpayer dollars.”

    “As a part of this settlement, the defendants acknowledged that they obtained funds from the Medicare program to which they were not entitled,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of HHS-OIG. “Individuals and entities that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients.”

    “Protecting the integrity of the healthcare system for our military members and their families is a top priority of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Brian J. Solecki of DCIS Northeast Field Office. “DCIS will continue to work with its law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to hold DoD contractors accountable for their fraudulent activity and ensure America’s service members are not subject to unnecessary risk.”

    The settlement resolves a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by two former providers of rehabilitation therapy at the Grand. The Act allows private persons to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. Under the settlement, the whistleblowers will receive approximately $4,047,000 of the settlement proceeds. The case is docketed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York under number 1:19-cv-1311.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York; the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section; HHS-OIG’s New York Region; the FBI, Albany Field Office; DCIS, Syracuse Resident Agency, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office investigated the matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam J. Katz and Senior Trial Counsel Christelle Klovers represented the United States.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Warren County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert Cutter, age 44, of Lake George, New York, pled guilty today to the attempted online enticement of a minor.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Cutter admitted that on June 27, 2023, he exchanged sexually explicit text messages with someone he believed was an adult offering the sexual services of a 12-year-old girl in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him.  Cutter also admitted that on that same date, he travelled to a pre-determined location in Warren County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 12-year-old girl.  Cutter was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location.

    At sentencing on November 11, 2024, before United States District Mae A. D’Agostino, Cutter faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison.  The judge will also be required to impose a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to life.  The court may also impose a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and forfeiture of the smartphone Cutter used to commit his offense.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Cutter will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents, and state and local police investigators, including from the New York State Police and Warren County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood. 

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Arkansas Man Admits Traveling to Albany for Sexual Contact with Minor and Transporting Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kyle Biswell, age 38, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, pled guilty today to traveling from Arkansas to Albany, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual contact with a child, and to transporting child pornography in interstate commerce.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Biswell admitted that between January and April 2023, he communicated with an individual he believed was the mother of an 11-year-old girl through an internet-based social networking application and using his cellular phone.  Over the course of those communications, Biswell expressed his interest in engaging in sexual contact with the 11-year-old and ultimately purchased airfare to travel from his home in Arkansas to Albany, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual contact with the child on April 8, 2023.  Upon his arrival in the Capital Region on April 8, 2023, Biswell was arrested by FBI agents, and admitted that he had traveled from Arkansas to Albany for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with a child he believed to be 11 years old.  Biswell further admitted that he brought child pornography with him on his cell phone.  The cell phone was subsequently searched by the FBI and found to contain numerous videos and images depicting child pornography, including several videos depicting the sexual abuse and rape of children under the age of 5.   

    At sentencing on November 13, 2024, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci, Biswell faces at least 5 years and up to 30 years in prison.  The judge will also be required to impose a term of post-release supervision of at least 5 years and up to a life term.  The court may also impose a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and forfeiture of the cell phone Biswell used to commit his offenses.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.  Biswell will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. 

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.  Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Rutland Man Charged with Unlawful Firearm Possession and Maintaining a Drug Premises

    Source: US FBI

    Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that on July 18, 2024 the federal Grand Jury in Burlington returned an indictment charging Daniel McSwiggan, 51, of Rutland, Vermont, with drug and gun offenses. The two-count indictment alleges that, between late June and early July 2024, McSwiggan possessed two firearms as an unlawful drug user and made his residence available for drug use and distribution. McSwiggan will be arraigned in the coming days.

    According to court records, in late June and early July of this year, McSwiggan possessed two firearms, knowing that he was an unlawful user of cocaine base, and made his residence in Rutland available for use and distribution of cocaine base. Court records also allege that, in the early morning hours of June 24, 2024, McSwiggan shot a rifle at a suspected drug distributor outside of his residence. On July 2, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McSwiggan’s residence and recovered a Savage Model 10 .308 caliber rifle, a Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle, 282 rounds of ammunition, cocaine base, and drug paraphernalia.

    The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are accusations only and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, McSwiggan faces maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the unlawful firearm possession, and 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for making his residence available for drug use and distribution. Any sentence will be determined by the U.S. District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

    United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory and collaborative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Rutland City Police Department, the Rutland Town Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont State Police.

    The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne M. Smith. McSwiggan is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.

    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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Bronx Tax Preparer Pleads Guilty to Filing Tens of Thousands of False Tax Returns Causing $145 Million in Fraudulent Tax Loss

    Source: US FBI

    Rafael Alvarez Perpetrated and Oversaw One of the Largest Ever Tax Frauds by a Return Preparer

    Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of RAFAEL ALVAREZ, a/k/a “the Magician,” to a two-count Superseding Information charging ALVAREZ with one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and steal government funds and one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent U.S. individual income tax return.  The charges arise from ALVAREZ’s orchestration of a decade-long, $145 million tax fraud scheme to file tens of thousands of federal individual income tax returns that included false information designed to fraudulently reduce the individuals’ tax burden.  As part of today’s guilty plea, Alvarez agreed to pay the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) $145 million in restitution and forfeit over $11.84 million in fraudulent proceeds he received from his criminal conduct.  ALVAREZ pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: “Rafael Alvarez became known as ‘the Magician’ by his customers for his supposed ability to make their tax burden disappear.  But, as today’s guilty plea shows, there was no magic to what Alvarez was doing – he was committing a serious federal crime by falsifying tens of thousands of tax returns and, in the process, depriving the IRS of $145 million in tax revenue.  Today’s guilty plea, in one of the largest ever tax frauds by a return preparer, should serve as an important reminder to tax professionals that this Office will vigorously investigate and prosecute tax offenses.”

    As alleged in the Indictment and Superseding Information and statements made in public filings and court proceedings:

    From at least in or about 2010, up to and including in or about 2020, ALVAREZ was the CEO, owner, and manager of ATAX New York, LLC, also doing business as ATAX New York-Marble Hill, ATAX Marble Hill, ATAX Marble Hill NY, and ATAX Corporation (together, “ATAX”).  ATAX was a high-volume tax preparation company located in the Bronx, New York, which prepared approximately 90,000 federal income tax returns for its customers during this period.  ALVAREZ both prepared tax returns for ATAX customers and recruited, supervised, and directed other ATAX personnel who in turn prepared tax returns for customers.  During this period, ALVAREZ oversaw a sweeping fraudulent scheme, whereby he and his employees submitted false information to the IRS in ATAX customers’ tax returns. This false information, which included, among other things, bogus itemized tax deductions, made-up capital losses, phony business expenses, and fraudulent tax credits, served to fraudulently reduce the customers’ tax liability and increase the customers’ tax refunds from the IRS.

    In total, ALVAREZ oversaw ATAX’s fraudulent submission of tax returns on behalf of customers that deprived the IRS of $145 million in tax revenue.  ALVAREZ was so consistent at falsifying ATAX customer tax returns that he became known to ATAX’s customers as “the Magician.”  Additionally, ALVAREZ agreed as part of his plea agreement that he was a leader of the scheme and attempted to obstruct or impede the administration of justice with respect to the investigation of the tax fraud scheme when he and an ATAX employee made false statements to an IRS Revenue Agent.  ALVAREZ’s operation of ATAX helped the company generate approximately $12 million in fraudulent proceeds over the duration of the fraud.

    *                *                *

    ALVAREZ, 61, of Cortland Manor, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and steal government funds, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent U.S. individual income tax return, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.  ALVAREZ is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Oetken on April 11, 2025.   

    The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

    Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the IRS, Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration in this case.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David R. Felton is in charge of the prosecution. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: ‘Incognito’ Market Owner Pleads Guilty for Operating One of the Largest Illegal Narcotics Marketplaces on the Internet

    Source: US FBI

    Rui-Siang Lin Used the Identity of “Pharoah” to Operate Incognito Market, Which Sold More Than $100 Million of Illegal Narcotics to Customers Around the World

    Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that RUI-SIANG LIN, a/k/a “Ruisiang Lin,” a/k/a “林睿庠,” a/k/a “Pharoah,” a/k/a “faro,” pled guilty to narcotics conspiracy, money laundering, and conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication in connection with LIN’s operation and ownership of “Incognito Market,” an online dark web narcotics marketplace that enabled its users to buy and sell illegal narcotics anonymously around the world. LIN pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 27, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: “Rui-Siang Lin led a prolific online narcotics bazaar that sold more than $100 million of narcotics around the world.  While Lin profited millions of dollars from his sophisticated scheme, the community suffered.  Lin and his “Incognito Market” exacerbated the opioid and fentanyl crisis and put the community in danger.  Lin now faces a lengthy term in prison.”

    According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, Complaint, and statements made in public filings and in public court proceedings:

    Incognito Market was an online narcotics bazaar that existed on the dark web.  Incognito Market formed in October 2020.  Since that time, and through its closing in March 2024, Incognito Market sold more than $100 million of narcotics — including hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamines.  Incognito Market was available globally to anyone with internet access and could be accessed using the Tor web browser on the “dark web” or “darknet.”  LIN operated the Incognito market under the online pseudonym “Pharoah” or “faro.”  As “Pharoah” — the leader of Incognito market — LIN supervised all of its operations, including its employees, vendors, and customers, and had ultimate decision-making authority over every aspect of the multimillion-dollar operation.

    Incognito Market was designed to foster seamless narcotics transactions across the internet and across the world and incorporated many features of legitimate e-commerce sites such as branding, advertising, and customer service.  Upon visiting the site, users were met by a splash page and graphic interface, which is pictured below:

    After logging in with a unique username and password, users were able to search thousands of listings for narcotics of their choice.  Incognito Market sold illegal narcotics and misbranded prescription medication, including heroin, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, oxycodone, methamphetamines, ketamine, and alprazolam. An example of listings on Incognito market is below:

    Listings included offerings of prescription medication that was advertised as being authentic but was not.  For example, in November 2023, an undercover law enforcement agent received several tablets that purported to be oxycodone, which were purchased on Incognito Market.  Testing on those tablets revealed that they were not authentic oxycodone at all and were, in fact, fentanyl pills.

    Each listing on Incognito Market was sold by a particular vendor.  To become an Incognito Market vendor, each vendor was required to register with the site and pay an admission fee.  In exchange for listing and selling narcotics as a vendor on Incognito Market, each vendor paid 5% of the purchase price of every narcotic sold to Incognito Market. That revenue funded Incognito Market’s operations, including paying “employee” salaries and for computer servers.  LIN collected millions of dollars of profits from Incognito.  To facilitate these financial transactions, Incognito Market had its own “bank,” which allowed its users to deposit cryptocurrency on the site into their own “bank accounts.” After a narcotics transaction was completed, cryptocurrency from the buyer’s “bank account” was transferred to the seller’s “bank account,” less the 5% fee that Incognito collected.  The bank enabled buyers and sellers to stay anonymous from each other.  The bank’s graphic interface is pictured below:

    On March 12, 2020, before Incognito Market launched, LIN emailed himself a rough diagram of a darknet marketplace.  That diagram, which is pictured below, contains features consistent with the operation of Incognito Market.

    *                *                *

    RUI-SIANG LIN, 23, of Taiwan, pled guilty to one count of narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential sentence of life in prison; one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to sell adulterated and misbranded medication, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison.

    The statutory minimum and maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

    Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and the New York City Police Department.  

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (“OCDETF”) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-drive, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The case is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan B. Finkel and Nicholas Chiuchiolo are in charge of the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New York City Resident Pleads Guilty to Operating Secret Police Station of the Chinese Government in Lower Manhattan

    Source: US FBI

    Defendant Admitted That He Conspired to Act as an Illegal Agent of the Chinese Government

    BROOKLYN, NY – Today in federal court in Brooklyn, Manhattan resident Chen Jinping pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in connection with opening and operating an undeclared overseas police station in lower Manhattan for the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS).  Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison. When sentenced, the defendant faces up to five years in prison.

    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.

    “A priority of my Office has been to counteract the malign activities of foreign governments that violate our nation’s sovereignty by targeting local diaspora communities in the United States,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today, a participant in a transnational repression scheme who worked to establish a secret police station in the middle of New York City on behalf of the national police force of the People’s Republic of China has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to act as an illegal agent.  We will continue our efforts to protect the rights of vulnerable persons who come to this country to escape the repressive activities of authoritarian regimes.”

    “Today’s guilty plea holds the defendant accountable for his brazen efforts to operate an undeclared overseas police station on behalf of the PRC’s national police force — a clear affront to American sovereignty and danger to our community that will not be tolerated,” stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen.  “The Department of Justice will continue to pursue anyone who attempts to aid the PRC’s efforts to extend their repressive reach into the United States.”

    “Today, Chen Jinping admitted to his role in audaciously establishing an undeclared police station in the heart of New York City and attempting to conceal the effort when approached by FBI New York,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy. “This illegal police station was not opened in the interest of public safety, but to further the nefarious and repressive aims of the PRC in direct violation of American sovereignty. The FBI is unwavering in our duty to protect both the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution and the security of our nation from oppressive hostile governments.”

    As alleged in court filings and facts presented at the plea proceeding, Chen Jinping and co-defendant Lu Jianwang conspired to act as illegal agents of the PRC government and also obstructed justice by destroying evidence of their communications with an MPS official (the MPS Official).  While acting under the direction and control of the MPS Official, the defendants worked together to establish the first known overseas police station in the United States on behalf of the Fuzhou branch of the MPS.  The police station—which closed in the fall of 2022—occupied an entire floor in an office building in Manhattan’s Chinatown.  Chen and Lu  helped open and operate the clandestine police station.  None of the participants in the scheme informed the U.S. government that they were helping the PRC government open and operate an undeclared MPS police station on U.S. soil.

    In October 2022, the FBI conducted a judicially authorized search of the illegal police station.  In connection with the search, FBI agents interviewed both defendants and seized their phones.  In reviewing the contents of these phones, FBI agents observed that communications between the defendants, on the one hand, and the MPS Official, on the other, appeared to have been deleted.

    Lu Jianwang has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is awaiting trial.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon and Antoinette N. Rangel are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    The FBI has created a website for victims to report efforts by foreign governments to stalk, intimidate, or assault people in the United States.  If you believe that you are or have been a victim of transnational repression, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/transnational-repression.

    The Defendant:

    CHEN JINPING
    Age: 60
    Manhattan, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-316 (NRM)

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Executive of Airline and Co-Conspirator Sentenced in a Money Laundering Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    Edward Y. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that SHUKHRATJON MIRSAIDOV and SHUKHRAT ABDULLAEV were sentenced to one year and a day and 24 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in operating a money laundering scheme from June 2019 to February 2022, using the U.S. bank account of an international airline (“Airline-1”) with a hub at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, where MIRSAIDOV was the lead U.S.-based executive.  U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska imposed MIRSAIDOV’s sentence today and ABDULLAEV’s sentence on September 4, 2024, following the defendants’ guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

    Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim said: “For years Shukhratjon Mirsaidov and Shukrat Abdullaev engaged in a scheme to launder healthcare fraud proceeds through the accounts of an international airline in order to conceal the illicit nature of these funds.  Laundering schemes that use real businesses to conceal crime proceeds are often particularly difficult for law enforcement to detect.  This case demonstrates that this Office will continue to root out money laundering, no matter how sophisticated, wherever it occurs and that those responsible will be held to full account.”  

    According to allegations in the Indictment, the criminal Complaint, public filings, and statements made in court: 

    In the course of the money laundering conspiracy, MIRSAIDOV and ABDULLAEV used a U.S. company bank account for Airline-1 (the “Airline-1 Bank Account”) to operate a check-cashing scheme and to launder hundreds of thousands of dollars of healthcare fraud proceeds.  As a senior executive, MIRSAIDOV was one of two signatories for the Airline-1 Bank Account.  Between approximately June 2019 and August 2021, MIRSAIDOV deposited into the Airline-1’s Bank Account over 100 checks drawn from accounts controlled by seven shell companies that were used to launder the proceeds of healthcare fraud.  For example, the shell companies had received insurance payments for medical services purportedly provided by a doctor, but the doctor did not, in fact, provide such services.  The shell companies were primarily funded by payments from medical clinics, physicians, and medical diagnostic testing companies and had no relation whatsoever to the airline industry. 

    MIRSAIDOV obtained the checks from the shell companies from ABDULLAEV, who was not an employee of Airline-1 and who obtained the checks from the perpetrators of the healthcare fraud scheme.  MIRSAIDOV and ABDULLAEV collected cash generated from Airline-1 ticket sales and fees, and instead of depositing that cash into Airline-1’s bank account, used the cash to illegally cash the shell company checks.  ABDULLAEV gave the cash generated from the airline ticket sales and fees to the perpetrators controlling the shell companies.

    MIRSAIDOV and ABDULLAEV not only used the Airline-1 Bank Account to launder healthcare fraud proceeds from the shell companies, but also used the Airline-1 Bank Account to launder funds represented to be fraud proceeds in a series of sting transactions.  Between approximately June 2021 and February 2022, law enforcement, with the assistance of a confidential source (“CS-1”), conducted a series of sting money laundering transactions involving MIRSAIDOV, ABDULLAEV, and the Airline-1 Bank Account.  CS-1 asked ABDULLAEV to cash checks and transmit funds abroad and agreed to pay ABDULLAEV a four percent fee to do so.  ABDULLAEV told CS-1 a portion of the fee went to MIRSAIDOV.  During the transactions, CS-1 represented to ABDULLAEV that the funds were healthcare fraud proceeds.  Overall, CS-1 provided ABDULLAEV with 14 checks totaling $210,000 issued from a covert law enforcement account held in the name of a fictitious company.  MIRSAIDOV, working with ABDULLAEV, deposited 12 of the checks totaling $190,000 into the Airline-1 Bank Account.  CS-1 received cash from ABDULLAEV in exchange for the checks, and in one instance, ABDULLAEV coordinated the delivery of U.S. currency to an individual abroad in exchange for some of the checks.  During the course of these sting transactions, in a recorded conversation with CS-1, MIRSAIDOV admitted, in sum and substance, that he received many checks from ABDULLAEV and that MIRSAIDOV gave ABDULLAEV cash in exchange for the checks.  CS-1 informed MIRSAIDOV, in sum and substance, that the checks from CS-1 came from a medical company and that the company disguised the check payments in its financial reporting by claiming the check deposits were for business class flight tickets.  MIRSAIDOV nevertheless expressed a willingness to work directly with CS-1 to conduct check cashing using the Airline-1 Bank Account.       

    Participants in the underlying healthcare fraud scheme who laundered their crime proceeds with the assistance of MIRSAIDOV and ABDULLAEV using the Airline-1 Bank Account have been charged by this Office in U.S. v. Tariverdi, et al, No. 24 Cr. 599 (JPO).

    *                *                *

    In addition to the prison sentence, MIRSAIDOV, 46, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $674,171.  ABDULLAEV, 39, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $704,171.   

    Mr. Kim praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

    The case is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cecilia Vogel, Christopher Brumwell, and Vladislav Vainberg are in charge of the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Cypress Gangsta Crips Gang Charged with 2015 Murder

    Source: US FBI

    Earlier today, a two-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jason Soto, also known as “Twin,” a member of the Cypress Gangsta Crips (CGC), a subgroup of the Eight Trey Crips based in the Cypress Hills Houses of East New York, Brooklyn, with the February 2015 murder of Shakim Rivera, the leader of the CGC.   The defendant was arrested this morning and will be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Sanket J. Bulsara.

    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the arrest and indictment.

    “This indictment makes clear that my Office and our law enforcement partners are relentless in our pursuit of violent gang members who have committed murders and harmed communities like the Cypress Hills Houses for far too long,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “We are reducing gang and gun-related violence and saving lives through a coordinated effort to target the most violent offenders, like this defendant.”

    “Jason Soto, a Crips gang member, allegedly appointed himself as judge, jury, and executioner to murder his own leader as twisted justice for the death of a fellow member. Soto’s alleged actions contributed to the infestation of gang violence plaguing a Brooklyn housing complex and endangered the lives of thousands of its residents. With the assistance of our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to apprehend any gang member wreaking havoc in our communities,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.

    “The residents of the Cypress Hills Houses, along with all New Yorkers in every neighborhood, deserve to live their lives without fear,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “The NYPD and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to systematically dismantling the gangs and crews responsible for crime and violence in New York City. I commend the collaborative efforts of our NYPD investigators, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in identifying and holding accountable those who terrorize our communities.”

    As detailed in the indictment and other court documents, since at least February of 2015, Soto was a member of the CGC, which operated in the Cypress Hills Houses and elsewhere.  CGC members committed acts of violence to promote the gang, enforce the rules of the gang, keep rivals in fear of CGC and earn money for the gang through firearm and narcotics trafficking and robberies.

    The investigation revealed a deadly gang turf war fought in the Cypress Hill Houses—in the midst of residential buildings, stores and a playground—between gangs that have aligned themselves by where their members live within the housing complex.  The Bloods gang associated with the “Frontside” section of Cypress feuded with the CGC members of the “Backside” and “Teamside” sections of Cypress.  An internal war broke out in 2015 within the CGC when high-ranking member Demetrius Graham, also known as “Duke,” was murdered on February 19, 2015. Believing that CGC leader Shakim Rivera was responsible for Graham’s murder, members of CGC planned retaliation.

    On February 19, 2015, Soto traveled from Pennsylvania to Brooklyn to carry out Rivera’s murder.  On February 22, 2015, Soto lured Rivera to the vicinity of 9011 Bayview Place in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn.  As alleged, Soto and another member of the CGC shot and killed Rivera, the leader of CGC, in retaliation for Graham’s murder.

    The indictment is the result of a long-term investigation initiated by the FBI, the NYPD and the Office in 2015 in response to gang-related violence in and around the Cypress Hills Houses.  The investigation has resulted in charges against over 20 defendants for drug trafficking, illegal weapons possession, robbery and murder.

    If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, or possibly the death penalty.

    The charges announced today are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States  Attorneys Emily J. Dean and Andy Palacio are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Theodore Rader.

    The Defendant:

    JASON SOTO
    Age:  36
    Queens, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-511 (RER)

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New York Cyberstalker is Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

    Source: US FBI

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Russell J. Martini, 47, of Bay Shore, New York, was sentenced today to 180 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for cyberstalking a female victim and related offenses, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Charlotte Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

    According to court documents and court proceedings, in April and May of 2022, Martini sent repeated harassing and threatening communications to an individual identified in court documents as “Jane Doe.” Jane Doe knew Martini and had obtained a protection order in New York that prohibited the defendant from contacting her. In April 2022, Jane Doe moved from New York to Charlotte. Soon thereafter, Martini began a cyberstalking campaign against Jane Doe, and used texts, emails, and social media platforms to send Jane Doe and members of her family harassing messages and threats of death and bodily injury. Martini also created a public social media account in Jane Doe’s name and used a compromising photo of the victim as a profile picture. Court documents show that Martini threatened to publish sexual photos and videos of Jane Doe online and on popular social media websites if Jane Doe did not respond to his communications.

    According to filed court documents, in May 2022, Martini sent Jane Doe emails in which he threatened to kill her, “cave her face in,” “leave her in a pool of blood,” and kill her animals.  Then, Martini traveled to Charlotte and attempted to kidnap Jane Doe. Martini waited at Jane Doe’s apartment complex and attacked her as she walked up the stairs to her apartment. Martini then attempted to drag the victim to his car, but a bystander intervened, and Martini fled. After the attack, Martini sent Jane Doe an email asking her if she was “ready for round two” and threatened to kill her.

    Court records show that Martini was convicted of stalking another female victim in 2018. In support of Martini’s 15-year sentence, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. cited Martini’s lengthy criminal history involving similar behavior, his inability to comply with previous terms of probation, and the need to protect the public from Martini.

    On September 28, 2023, Martini pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, stalking, and communicating interstate threats.

    In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI and CMPD for their investigation of this case.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kimlani Ford of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is prosecuted the case.              

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Dogfighting and Drug Distribution

    Source: US FBI

    An Ohio man was sentenced today to 21 months in prison and three years supervised release after pleading guilty to dogfighting and fentanyl distribution. For today’s sentence, he will serve nine months concurrent with, and 12 months after, the 10 years he is already serving on the drug charges.

    Michael Valentine, 40, of Bidwell, previously pleaded guilty to two counts of raising and training dogs for the purpose of fighting, and five counts related to fentanyl distribution. He was sentenced on Jan. 26, 2023, to serve 10 years in prison for the drug distribution charge and five years of supervised release. In total, Valentine will serve 11 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

    “Dogfighting is a barbaric offense that cruelly harms animals and endangers the surrounding community,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates that those engaged in this horrific practice face significant punishment.”

    “Valentine’s crimes endangered both humans and dogs,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker for the Southern District of Ohio. “Thanks to the work of our investigative partners, hundreds of grams of fentanyl were taken out of circulation before reaching our local communities and more than 50 dogs were removed from the defendant. It is appropriate that Valentine will spend a significant amount of time in federal prison.”

    “The relevant provisions of the Animal Welfare Act were designed to protect animals from being used in illegal fighting ventures, which often entail other forms of criminal activity including drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Springer of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG). “The USDA-OIG thanks the Justice Department, who prosecuted the case, and Gallia County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI for their assistance with the investigation.”

    According to court documents, law enforcement first investigated Valentine for dogfighting offenses in 2019 after a dog attacked a small child living with him. That investigation led to a search warrant of the Valentine’s residence and the seizure of 40 dogs. The search also recovered numerous items of dog fighting paraphernalia, including treadmills, veterinary supplies and dogfighting videos.

    On March 8, 2022, a second search warrant was executed at the Valentine’s residence as part of a fentanyl-distribution investigation. That search revealed dog fighting paraphernalia, as well as two assault-style rifles. In addition, a search of a nearby parcel of land revealed 677 grams of fentanyl and 69 grams of cocaine packaged for distribution, and an additional 11 dogs, which Valentine was keeping for purposes of dogfighting. Valentine had previously sold 141 grams of fentanyl from the property.

    The case was investigated by USDA-OIG and the FBI with assistance from the Gallia County Sherriff’s Office.

    This investigation was conducted as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz for the Southern District of Ohio and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Marous for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Finds Former Deportation Officer Guilty of Federal Crimes Related to Depriving Immigrant Victims’ Civil Rights

    Source: US FBI

    CINCINNATI — A federal jury convicted a former ICE deportation officer today for crimes related to abusing his position to deprive the civil rights of victims under his supervision in the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program.

    Andrew Golobic, 52, of Cincinnati and Mason, Ohio, was found guilty on four counts including obstructing a sex trafficking investigation, deprivation of rights under color of law, witness tampering and destruction of records in a federal investigation.

    The verdict was announced this evening following a trial that began on Jan. 8 before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. The jury began deliberations on Jan. 19 and found Golobic guilty on four of seven counts.

    Golobic was convicted of depriving a woman under his supervision in the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program of her fundamental right to bodily integrity, by forcing her to engage in nonconsensual sex. ATD allows certain asylum seekers and other immigrants who ICE has determined pose a low risk to public safety to remain in their communities while their immigration cases are pending. After being approached by agents from FBI and the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General in June 2020, Golobic deleted evidence from his cellphones. 

    Golobic was employed as a deportation officer with ICE from 2006 to 2020 and was assigned to the ICE office in Blue Ash, Ohio. He was assigned to the ATD program from approximately 2015 to 2020.

    In his role, Golobic supervised immigrants with vulnerable backgrounds including those fleeing violence, exploitation, and sexual assault. Golobic knew he had power over women under his supervision. Golobic had discretion over the degree of freedom and movement afforded to participants under his supervision. He had the authority to decide the type of monitoring, frequency of reporting and level of supervision, as well as the authority to recommend that ATD participants who violated conditions of the program be detained or deported. 

    Golobic’s sentence will be determined by the Court based on federal sentencing guidelines and other factors at a future hearing.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and John R. Pias, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS-OIG) announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo and Ashley N. Brucato are representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Columbus Police Officers Arrested on Drug Charges Related to Stealing, Selling Multiple Kilograms of Cocaine

    Source: US FBI

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Columbus police officers have been arrested on federal charges alleging they stole multiple kilograms of cocaine and provided it to others to sell.

    John Castillo, 31, of Grove City, and Joel M. Mefford, 34, of London, Ohio, were arrested today and appeared in federal court this afternoon, at which point their cases were unsealed.

    According to Mefford’s indictment, in February 2020, he was investigating a drug crime and unlawfully gained access to a detached garage belonging to the subject of the investigation. It is alleged Mefford, without a warrant, discovered two kilograms of cocaine in the rafters of the garage. Mefford allegedly unlawfully seized one of the kilograms and left the other to be found during the execution of a search warrant the next morning. The defendant allegedly gave the stolen narcotics to an individual to sell.

    Similarly, in February and March 2020, Mefford was investigating drug-trafficking activity at houses on Ambleside Drive and Kilbourne Avenue in Columbus. On March 7, 2020, the officer allegedly took a bag containing multiple kilograms of cocaine from the house on Ambleside Drive and arrested an individual there. He then allegedly traveled to the house on Kilbourne Avenue and removed a kilogram of cocaine. That same day, it is alleged Mefford turned in one kilogram of cocaine to evidence and stole the other kilograms to be sold.

    It is further alleged that Mefford stole 20 kilograms of cocaine from the Columbus police property room in April 2020, replacing it with fake cocaine.

    Mefford also allegedly deposited more than $72,000 in cash derived from the cocaine sales into his personal bank account.

    Castillo’s indictment alleges that in February 2021, Castillo took approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine from a house on North Everett Avenue and did not turn it into evidence. He allegedly planted two additional kilograms of cocaine for law enforcement discovery later that day at the house. The 10 kilograms of cocaine were allegedly stored in another person’s basement before they were given to another individual to sell.

    Castillo and Mefford are charged in separate indictments with possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Mefford is also charged with money laundering and two counts of possessing with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Zrinka Dilber, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate and Elizabeth A. Geraghty are representing the United States in this case. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Public Corruption Task Force, which includes special agents and officers from the FBI, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office and the Columbus Division of Police.

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

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbus Woman Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Infant Twins

    Source: US FBI

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus woman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to two counts of kidnapping a minor.

    As part of the plea, parties involved in the case have recommended a sentence of 20 years in prison for Nalah T. Jackson, 25.

    “There is no greater responsibility than protecting our youth,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “This community watched in horror as Nalah Jackson preyed on two vulnerable babies. Today, she admitted her crime and agreed to spend 20 years in prison for her actions.” 

    According to court documents, between Dec. 19, 2022, and Dec. 22, 2022, Jackson kidnapped two minor children in Columbus and traveled interstate with one of them. 

    Specifically, close to 10pm on the night of Dec. 19, Jackson walked out of Donatos Pizza on North High Street in Columbus and drove away in a black Honda Accord that had been left running in the parking lot. Two twin five-month-old infants were buckled in the back seat. The infants’ mother was inside Donatos to pick up a delivery order at the time.

    Over the next several hours, Jackson drove from Columbus to Dayton and to various other locations in central and western Ohio.

    Jackson arrived at the Dayton International Airport close to 3am. She parked in an economy lot and left the infants in the car while she entered the airport. Jackson attempted to hire an Uber to find the stolen car in the economy lot, but could not pay, and ultimately found the stolen car on foot. After finding the vehicle, Jackson left one of the infants in the parking lot at approximately 4am. A passerby parking their vehicle saw the baby in his car seat wrapped in a quilt between two vehicles and alerted security.

    After Jackson left the Dayton International Airport parking lot at high speeds, she traveled to Indianapolis with the second baby still in the vehicle.

    She arrived at a Papa Johns Pizza on Indiana Avenue near the university district at approximately 8am on Dec. 20, and exited the stolen car on foot. She never returned to the vehicle, leaving the second baby strapped in his car seat in the back seat of the car.

    The baby remained strapped in the car seat for the next two-and-a-half-days while family members, concerned citizens and law enforcement officers continued to search for him.

    By happenstance, an Indianapolis woman encountered Jackson after she abandoned the stolen vehicle on Dec. 20. Jackson was selling stolen merchandise outside of a local gas station. The woman gave Jackson a ride to a nearby shopping plaza and gave Jackson her cell phone number in case Jackson came across any more holiday gifts for resale.

    That night, the woman noticed several social media posts regarding the kidnapping and recognized Jackson as the alleged kidnapper. The woman called her cousin, and together they formulated a plan to meet up with Jackson to confirm her identity, recover the infant if possible and lead Jackson to law enforcement.

    On Dec. 22, the women met up with Jackson, whom they traced to a local residence through a phone number Jackson had previously used to call one of them. The women confirmed that Jackson was the same person identified as the kidnapping suspect and drove her to several shopping centers in Indianapolis, all-the-while surreptitiously attempting to contact law enforcement in Columbus and Indianapolis.

    Eventually, one of the women was able to route local law enforcement to their vehicle over the phone by pretending that she was speaking with her boyfriend and providing updates on her location. The women tried to signal to Indianapolis police that Jackson was the kidnapping suspect, and eventually told officers when they were removed from Jackson’s immediate presence.  Jackson provided a false name and another individual’s identification card to the officers. After some time, the officers confirmed Jackson’s identity and arrested her for kidnapping. After the arrest, they let the two women go without interviewing them about their time spent with Jackson.

    The two women decided to continue searching for the missing infant. They discovered a bus schedule that Jackson left behind in the backseat of their vehicle and decided to focus their search on a bus route near the university district.

    While driving around searching that area to no avail, and with driving conditions worsening quickly due to an impending snowstorm, the women decided to get something to eat before heading home. As they were pulling into a Blaze Pizza, they noticed a black Honda Accord at the nearby Papa Johns and noticed snow had already accumulated on the car.

    They drove up to the stolen car and attempted to open the back door, which was locked. The driver’s door did open. Due to an overwhelming foul smell coming from the car, and the silence of the baby, one of the women screamed, assuming the baby was deceased. Upon hearing the scream, the baby alerted and began crying. One of the women removed the baby from his car seat and began comforting him.

    The women then noticed an empty Indianapolis police cruiser parked nearby and began looking for officers, who they found on their lunch break inside the Blaze Pizza. Indianapolis police then relocated to Papa Johns Pizza and took custody of the baby, taking him to a local hospital. The infant was treated for dehydration, heart abnormalities due to the dehydration, extreme diaper rash and skin deterioration due to him being buckled in a car seat for three days while sitting in his own excrement.

    U.S. Attorney Parker acknowledged the numerous law enforcement agencies who have assisted in this case, including FBI offices in Columbus, Dayton and Indianapolis; the Columbus, Dayton, Huber Heights, Riverside, Vandalia, Dayton International Airport and Indianapolis police departments; the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office; Ohio State Highway Patrol and U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST).

    Assistant United States Attorneys Emily K. Czerniejewski and Noah R. Litton are representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Cleveland Area Brothers Indicted for Fraud and Money Laundering Schemes

    Source: US FBI

    CLEVELAND – Rebecca C. Lutzko, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in Cleveland returned a twenty-two count indictment charging two Cleveland area brothers with multiple fraud and money laundering schemes.

    Zubair Mehmet Abdur Razzaq Al Zubair, 41, recently of Bratenahl, Ohio, and his brother Muzzammil Muhammad Al Zubair, 30, recently of Pepper Pike, Ohio, face one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 14 counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to engage in money laundering, four counts of money laundering, and one count of theft of government funds. Zubair Al Zubair also faces one count of harboring a fugitive.

    The indictment charges that from June 2020 through August 2023, the Al Zubair brothers engaged in multiple schemes, including an investment fraud scheme, a Small Business Administration COVID-19 relief Emergency Income Disaster Loan scheme, a cryptocurrency mining scheme, a commercial real estate lease scheme, and a residential real estate lease scheme. According to the facts alleged in the indictment, the Al Zubair brothers obtained funds and property from victims under false pretenses and spent the proceeds on luxury items, such as cars, travel, entertainment, firearms, and jewelry. They allegedly falsely claimed to have extraordinary wealth and government connections. Zubair Al Zubair also allegedly falsely claimed to be married to a princess and to be a member of a royal family in the United Arab Emirates. The defendants also allegedly made false claims about potential investments returns, about property they owned or controlled, and about their intentions, among other falsehoods alleged in the indictment. Through these false claims, the Al Zubair brothers allegedly obtained millions of dollars from their victims. In addition to the fraud and money laundering charges, Zubair Al Zubair is also charged with providing a place to stay and transportation to a fugitive wanted on federal criminal charges.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

    The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew W. Shepherd.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Huron Man Charged With More Than $2.5 Million in COVID-19 Relief Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    TOLEDO – A federal grand jury in Toledo returned an indictment on February 7, 2024, charging Daniel R. Hitlan, of Huron, Ohio, with three counts of bank fraud and five counts of money laundering related to filing false applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans.

    The indictment charges that between April 14, 2020 and May 13, 2020, Hitlan submitted three false PPP loan applications and received funding totaling $2,578,318.  Hitlan applied for the loans using two businesses that he owned: Sailor Sales, LLC and Daniel Robert Hitlan.  Hitlan applied for the loans at three separate banks.  In each instance, he falsely stated the number of employees for the businesses and claimed to have payroll expenses when in fact the businesses had no payroll expenses.  Hitlan supported the PPP loan applications by creating and submitting fictitious payroll documents and payroll forms with his application. 

    It is further alleged that Hitlan used the proceeds to conduct several financial transactions to include a check for $88,811.27 for the purchase of a 2020 Cadillac Escalade, another check for $48,232.63 for the purchase of a 1968 Chevrolet Corvette, two wires for the purchase of real estate in the amounts of $179,013.97 and $248,423.89, and a debit card transaction for $20,000 to a jeweler for the purchase of Rolex watches. 

    An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

    The investigation was conducted by IRS–Criminal Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gene Crawford.

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