NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Waipoua River fire update #5

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    There were no significant flareups at the Waipoua River fire overnight.
    Three helicopters, four heavy machinery, 50 ground crew and 15 Incident Management Team personnel are back at work this morning keeping on top of the fire and working to achieve full containment.
    Incident Controller Corey Matchitt says it is still not safe for evacuated residents to return to their home.
    “We are working hard to secure the area around the settlement of vegetation so we can get residents back as soon as it is safe.
    “Today we have been able to arrange for people to go back to their homes briefly to pick up essentials.
    “We know this is a really hard time for everyone who is away from their home during this fire. Evacuating has meant everyone is safe and we are grateful to the whanau and everyone supporting them at this time.”
    The fire remains 50 percent contained. The fire size is 100 hectares with a 4.5-kilometre perimeter. We are aiming to have the fire fully contained by tomorrow evening.
    “This increase in size is a reflection of the fire moving out to our containment lines as planned,” Corey Matchitt says.
    “We have favourable conditions today with light winds, however, we still have very dry conditions, so we will be remaining vigilant.
    Corey Matchitt reminded the public to stay away from the fire area.
    “For the safety of the public and our crews, people are asked to stay away from the area.”
    The next update will be later today unless significant developments occur.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Rips Trump for Firing More Veterans Than Any Other President, Uplifts Impacted Veterans’ Personal Stories During National VoteVets Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    February 27, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today at an emergency national town hall hosted by VoteVets, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) who still receives her own health care services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—called out Donald Trump and Elon Musk for inflicting needless pain and chaos on our nation’s Veterans. During the town hall, Veterans who have been fired by Elon Musk’s DOGE bravely came forward—for the first time—to share how Trump’s cuts and layoffs have uprooted their lives. Duckworth pledged to continue advocating for our nation’s heroes and pushing back against the Trump Administration’s harmful policies and employee purges that are leaving Veterans jobless and jeopardizing their access to critical VA care and benefits. Full video of Duckworth’s remarks and Veterans’ testimonies during the town hall can be found on YouTube.

    “Donald Trump is firing more Veterans than any other President in recent history and jeopardizing access to the care and benefits our heroes have earned through their service,” said Duckworth. “How dare a five-time draft dodging coward turn his back on the men and women who, unlike him, actually were brave enough to serve our nation in uniform. Let’s call Trump and Musk’s DOGE cuts what they are: They’re a middle finger to our Veterans, and they’re a slap in the face to the sacrifices they’ve made. Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk may not know the first thing about sacrifice and service, but our Veterans sure as hell do. We will not be quiet, and I will never stop working to honor the commitment we’ve made to our nation’s heroes.”

    During the town hall, Veterans courageously came forward to share their stories and detail the real damage Trump and Musk have had on their lives:

    Dustin Conklin—a Veteran from Caseyville, Illinois—said in part: “I’m a Veteran of the United States Navy. This fall, I took a job with the Natural Resources Conservation Service for the USDA. The USDA moved me out here to Illinois. I left where I was secure, I left my support network… On February 13th in the middle of the night, I open up my email and I get a blank email with an attachment saying I was fired… I’m going to lose my health insurance that covers me and my daughter. My health insurance is important because I have regular therapy appointments and access to medication that I’m about to lose… And through this whole time, I see on the internet Elon Musk playing with chainsaws and the President posting things laughing about making people cry. It’s been defeating.”

    Frances Greenley—a Veteran from Lake Stevens, Washington—said in part: “During my time in the Coast Guard, I was a Naval Engineering Officer which meant I ran all of the maintenance contracts on the ships. It was very important for the people managing the contracts to make sure there was no waste, fraud and abuse. When I got out of my service, I went to work for the federal acquisition service—we are on the front lines of fighting waste, fraud and abuse… Like Dustin, my supervisors didn’t know I was terminated, I forwarded them my termination letter… I was fired by a political appointee in a form letter… If [Trump and Elon] want to increase the transparency and best use of the dollar, you would increase personnel who are project management specialists and contracting officers–but they terminated me instead.”

    Kyle Lewis—a Veteran from Columbia, Maryland—said in part: “I joined the Navy back in the 1990s. I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in January 2020. I was given 6 weeks to live, my doctor said if you don’t start this experimental and aggressive treatment now, you’re not going to be here much longer. I was fortunate to get into a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins, which was funded by the NIH—I say was funded because it’s not anymore. The cuts that DOGE has made to cancer research as well as other lifesaving medical research has put my cancer research at risk, as well as millions of Americans including Veterans and children who are in far worse situations than I am… I just find this absolutely disgusting as an American. This is not how we take care of our family, our friends and our communities.”

    In the wake of Trump and Musk’s mass federal layoffs, Duckworth has repeatedly expressed her outrage that many Veterans suddenly found themselves jobless. After the first VA purge laid off workers with the Veterans Crisis Line—including several Veterans—Duckworth successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reinstate these devoted public servants that work to support our Veterans in their darkest moments.

    Additionally, Duckworth joined U.S. Senator and SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and a group of 34 Democratic Senators calling on VA Secretary Collins to immediately reinstate the more than 1,000 VA employees terminated earlier this month who serve Veterans and their families nationwide.

    Duckworth’s full remarks as prepared for the town hall can be read below:

    Hello everyone, thank you for being here today.

    I actually invited President Musk—I mean Elon Musk—to join us as well. But I’m not shocked that he didn’t have the courage necessary to show up—after all, he and Trump never actually show up for the Veterans they claim to care about.

    They never actually have our backs.

    But the good news is that my Democratic colleagues do, including Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and Baltimore County Councilmember Pat Young, who are both here with me this afternoon.

    Look, on the campaign trail, Trump promised to look out for Veterans and servicemembers. Obviously, this was a lie.

    Obviously, a man who claims to “know more” than our generals who have served honorably for decades… A man who calls our fallen servicemembers “suckers and losers”… A man who cried “bone spurs” when his nation needed him the most…

    Obviously someone as ignorant as this wouldn’t mind executing the most craven political move imaginable: Using our heroes as political pawns to get elected, then abandoning them once he takes office.

    To give a quick summary of the past few weeks:

    Trump and Musk have slashed roughly 2,400 VA jobs…A decision that won’t make things more efficient, like they claimed, but will actually lead to longer wait times, more backlog and more chaos for Veterans.

    They’ve also launched a wider purge of federal workers—firing, in total, an estimated 6,000 Veterans, including the folks behind the Veterans Crisis Line.

    The only reason they are doing this is to try to find enough loose change behind the couch cushions so that they can give even bigger tax breaks to the rich guys they pal around with on the golf course.

    Let me say that another way: They care more about making sure Mar-a-Lago billionaires can buy yet another private jet than ensuring our Veterans have access to the benefits and care they have earned.

    So let’s call this what it is: It’s a middle finger to our heroes. It’s a slap in the face to the sacrifices they’ve made. It’s BS, frankly. And every one of us who has served should feel insulted.

    Donald Trump has fired more Veterans than any other President in recent history.

    How dare a five-time draft dodging coward turn his back on the men and women who, unlike him, actually were brave enough to serve our nation in uniform?

    How dare he call himself king, and act like servicemembers are his subjects—as if they are not the reason America is already great?

    How dare he and Elon Musk sit in their ivory towers and use their power to stomp on those feeling powerless?

    Listen, I heard Secretary Collins’ lie last week that not one Veterans Crisis Line worker was fired in this purge.

    But the thing is, I’ve also heard directly from Veterans nationwide who’ve proven that this is untrue—who’ve reached out and personally shared with me their actual letters of termination.

    I fought to get these folks reinstated, and I’m grateful that after such a loud outcry, we were able to get them their jobs back.

    But there are so many others still left out in the cold, unsure how they’ll be able to put food on the table for their families next week…

    Veterans who’ve been abandoned by the VA Secretary who is supposed to have their backs.

    Secretary Collins has either been lied to about these firings or is knowingly, repeatedly lying to the American people.

    If it’s the former, then all he has to do is check his casework inbox. If it’s the latter… then, well, shame on you, Secretary. Shame. On. You.

    Think about it: The Crisis Line is where Veterans turn when they are considering suicide or self-harm.

    The public servants working there are doing some of the toughest work imaginable to support our heroes in their absolute darkest hour.

    These are the people Trump and Musk are happy to throw by the wayside. That should tell you everything you need to know about how this Administration actually feels about our Veterans. That should tell you how patriotic they really are. Trump may like to wrap himself in the flag with one hand, but with the other, he’s signing off on the orders that sell out our heroes to line his own pockets.

    There are countless tragic examples of how DOGE’s purge has already caused havoc. To name just a few: A health care appointments have been cancelled due to staffing shortages…The number of beds and operating rooms at VA facilities have been cut down… And suicide prevention training sessions have been postponed or canceled. These jobs should’ve never been threatened in the first place. 

    And for Secretary Collins to say that no damage was done here is a straight-up betrayal of the people he is supposed to be serving.

    It’s an insult to Americans like Chelsea Milburn… A Navy reservist who, after being fired from her job in the Department of Education, said, quote: “I feel like I have served my country admirably, and now it has betrayed me.”

    It’s an insult to folks like Francis Greenley, who you’ll hear from shortly: Francis is a Coast Guard Veteran whose decades-long job was quite literally putting out fires on military ships as well as fighting waste and fraud in the military budget.

    I guess Musk didn’t see the irony behind firing someone that—unlike DOGE—was actually making our government more efficient.

    And it’s an insult to people like Jacob Adam Bushno…A disabled Veteran and a constituent of mine who joined the Army his junior year, right after 9/11.

    Jacob served two tours in Iraq. Then, when he came home, despite suffering from PTSD, he dedicated his life to continuing his service, this time for the federal government—working as a wildland firefighter and forest technician among other jobs.

    Jacob was part of this month’s purge. As he told my team this week: “I’ve always served this country. In some way, shape or form, I’ve always served. I’ve either tried to protect our country from terrorism or bad guys or Mother Nature.

    “So this has been a gut-shot—a pretty bad one—and it’s taken its toll on me. If [Trump and Musk] actually cared about Veterans, they wouldn’t be treating any of us like this… They aren’t making our country better. They’re making it worse.”

    Jacob is right.

    So let me just close with this: Everyone on this call today knows how much our Veterans have done for our nation.

    Trump and Musk may not know the first thing about sacrifice and service. But our Veterans sure as hell do.

    So please know that I will never stop fighting for our heroes, no matter who’s in the White House.

    But I’m counting on each of you to be my partners in this work.

    After all, we’ve already seen proof that our collective pressure campaign is working: Trump’s VA was ready to cut hundreds of contracts that would’ve even further hurt Veterans health services from providing cancer care to assessing toxic exposure.

    But they were forced to backtrack—because we spoke out. Because we made noise. So we can’t stop there.

    Look, I get how in this moment, it’d be easy to feel defeated… to want to tune out rather than turn on the news. 

    But now more than ever, we can’t let ourselves become disengaged. We have to channel our outrage into action. Because there’s too much at stake to get discouraged.

    There will always be people in hallowed halls who try to use their power to only look out for themselves. But here’s what I know: the power of the people is always greater than the people in power.

    And if we want tomorrow to be better than yesterday, we have to come together…We have to recognize that our voices DO matter… Then we have to use those voices to speak out… even if—especially when—anyone tries to silence us.

    You have my word that I am with you. That I am listening to you. That I am one of you. And that I will never abandon you.

    It’s an absolute honor to call myself part of this team… and to have you all as my partners on the front lines of this fight.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Congratulates Idaho’s Tom Schultz on Appointment to Chief of U.S. Forest Service

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) released the following statement on the appointment of Tom Schultz to serve as the 21st chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. 

    “Congratulations to Idaho’s own Tom Schultz for being named the 21st Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tom is a forester’s forester. With over 27 years of natural resource management experience, he is the no-nonsense leader our Western states urgently need to rein in the wildfire crisis and reinforce forest health,” said Risch. “Tom’s selection to lead the U.S. Forest Service underscores President Trump and Secretary Rollins’ recognition of the immense value that Idahoans bring to restoring American greatness. I look forward to the good work Tom will accomplish for our nation and the West.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — The nose knows (and so did HVO gas instrumentation…eventually)

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

    A USGS scientist aims the viewfinder of an infrared spectrometer to measure the chemistry of volcanic gas on the last day of the Nāpau eruption, September 20, 2024. USGS photo by P. Nadeau.

    It was indeed a dark and stormy night when the eruption started on September 15, 2024. So much so that when we had conflicting geophysical data (tremor and increased infrasound, but no changes in tilt), our webcams were no help. The poor weather meant that cameras couldn’t see anything, and the southerly wind direction on that rainy night also meant that none of the HVO gas monitoring stations could detect whether there was eruptive degassing or not.

    But you know who could tell there was degassing? Residents of Volcano. Community members in more than one part of Volcano took to social media to report sulfurous odors and burning smells. 

    Still, some HVO staff members living in the area reported only smelling the burning, without sulfur. Their gas badges (used for situational awareness and safety, not precise volcanic gas measurements) didn’t register SO2 (sulfur dioxide) above background. Many times, winds that blow from the East Rift Zone towards Volcano may bring residual H2S (hydrogen sulfide) from the inactive Puʻuʻōʻō area, and H2S can be especially prevalent during rainy periods, like that dark and stormy night in September. So even amidst community reports of sulfur smells, we couldn’t be completely sure if there was an eruption.

    Thankfully, the weather cleared in the morning (September 16). HVO confirmed that there had been a small fissure eruption west of Puʻuʻōʻō, and we were no longer restricted to people’s noses to indicate whether there was eruptive degassing or not. The SO2 emission rate was measured to be only about 300 tonnes per day (t/d), which is consistent with the absence of eruptive activity. 

    It seemed like the eruption might be over, but by the next morning (September 17), it was in full force again, and SO2 emissions had climbed to nearly 12,000 t/d. Winds had also switched to the right direction (from the north) for one of our East Rift Zone gas monitoring stations to detect a whiff of the SO2 as well. Emissions then decreased to about 3,500 t/d by that afternoon as the lava fountaining weakened. Emissions were similar, around 2,000 t/d, the next morning, September 18. 

    Again, activity seemed to be waning until later on the 18th, when things escalated once more, which was reflected in increasing SO2 emissions. That afternoon, HVO scientists were measuring the plume with an ultraviolet (UV) camera that can see SO2 when the imagery began to show a more intense plume. 

    At that point, gas scientists recognized that changes were occurring and switched back to more reliable UV spectrometer measurements, which revealed a progressive increase in SO2 emission rate over the course of the afternoon. In conjunction with the opening of new fissures and the development of ‘lava falls’ cascading over Nāpau Crater rim, emissions increased from 5,000 t/d at about 3:30 p.m. to roughly 12,000 t/d at 5:00 p.m., when it became too late to continue UV-based measurements.

    With the fissures and lava falls still going strong, SO2 emissions were around 30,000 t/d the morning of September 19. 

    Yet just one day later, the eruption was over, with SO2 emissions down to only 800 t/d as of late morning on September 20. Luckily, HVO gas scientists were able to measure gases from the last gasp of lava earlier that morning using an infrared spectrometer, which measures the chemistry of erupted gas. The gases were low in carbon dioxide (CO2), and therefore derived from magma that previously lost CO2 while in the shallow magma plumbing system before eruption. This is very similar to other Kīlauea East Rift Zone eruptions and to recent Kīlauea summit eruptions. 

    A final SO2 emission rate measured on September 21, after the eruption had ended, showed that just under 100 t/d of SO2 were being emitted from the inactive fissures. By two days later, SO2 emissions from the Nāpau fissures were undetectable on Chain of Craters Road. 

    Even though HVO was ultimately able to track the variable gas emissions throughout the Nāpau eruption with our UV spectrometer, a UV camera, permanent stations, and an infrared spectrometer, we know we weren’t the first to sniff the gases from the Nāpau eruption – that honor still goes to the residents of Volcano!

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea has been erupting intermittently within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 continued over the past week, with one eruptive episode. Episode 11 was active from the night of February 25 until the morning of February 26. Kīlauea summit has been inflating since episode 11 ended, suggesting that another eruptive episode is possible. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    Three earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.4 earthquake 14 km (8 mi) S of Volcano at 0 km (0 mi) depth on Feb. 27 at 3:33 a.m. HST, a M3.3 earthquake 16 km (9 mi) W of Kailua-Kona at 14 km (8 mi) depth on Feb. 23 at 9:31 p.m. HST, and a M2.7 earthquake 13 km (8 mi) NNE of Hawaiian Ocean View at 9 km (5 mi) depth on Feb. 20 at 7:36 a.m. HST.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lyons Resident Charged In Connection With Series of Incidents At Loveland Tesla Dealership

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Lucy Grace Nelson, also known as Justin Thomas Nelson, 42, of Lyons, Colorado, was charged by complaint with one count of malicious destruction of property for a series of incidents at the Tesla dealership in Loveland, Colorado.

    According to the complaint, on January 29, Loveland Police received a call reporting a fire near a Cyber Truck located at the Tesla dealership. Investigators discovered an incendiary device, commonly referred to as a “Molotov cocktail” next to the vehicle. Additionally, on February 2, Loveland Police received a report of graffiti on the Tesla dealership sign where black spray paint was used to write the word “NAZI.” On February 7, police received a call for graffiti and possible arson at Tesla. During that investigation police found multiple broken bottles consistent with incendiary devices. On February 11, a security guard at the dealership came into contact with a person painting graffiti, which used an expletive, on the front windows of the building. On February 24, police confronted Nelson at the dealership. Inside Nelson’s car, police found a container of gasoline plus a box of bottles and wick material which were similar to the items police recovered after the prior incidents.

    The defendant made an initial appearance in front of Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Office, and the Loveland Police Department are handling the investigation.  The Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution.

    Case Number: 1:25-mj-00043-NRN

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Louisiana Men Sentenced to Decades in Prison for Armed Robbery of Undercover Federal Agent

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MICHAEL LOTT (“LOTT”), age 51, DIANTA TROPEZ (“TROPEZ”), age 30, and VERNELL WOODARD (“WOODARD”), age 23, all residents of New Orleans, were sentenced on February 18 and 19, 2025, by United States District Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle for the armed robbery of an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) special agent that resulted in the agent’s paralysis from the shoulders down, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.

    According to court records, VERNELL WOODARD and three other co-defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine to an undercover ATF agent and another individual on August 29, 2023 at a Westbank, New Orleans apartment.  The plan came to fruition when the conspirators sold the undercover ATF agent approximately seven grams of pure methamphetamine.

    After this August 29 methamphetamine distribution deal was completed, VERNELL WOODARD arranged for the undercover ATF agent and the other individual to return to the apartment the following day to purchase more drugs. When the undercover ATF agent and the other individual arrived at the apartment complex the next day, WOODARD told them to return to the same apartment.  As they were coming upstairs, MICHAEL LOTT, armed with an AR-15 style weapon,hid in a closet inside the apartment. Once the undercover ATF agent and the other individual were inside the apartment, DIANTA TROPEZ entered, pointed a Glock pistol at the undercover ATF agent and the other individual, and demanded they get down and hand over their possessions.  Simultaneously, MICHAEL LOTT emerged from the closet, pointed the AR-15 style weapon at them, and demanded they turn over their possessions.

    Other agents monitoring the deal, realized something was wrong and responded.  Once LOTT and TROPEZ heard the law enforcement response, they stopped the robbery, and everyone in the apartment tried to flee.  The undercover ATF agent and the other individual went onto the third-floor apartment balcony and began climbing down to escape.  During their climb, the agent fell and sustained severe injuries, resulting in his paralysis.

    As a result of this criminal conduct, MICHAEL LOTT, DIANTA TROPEZ, VERNELL WOODARD, and three others were charged in an eleven-count superseding indictment with various offense related to the drug trafficking and the armed robbery.

    On September 13, 2024, DIANTA TROPEZ pleaded guilty to several crimes including, conspiring to rob a person of money belonging to the United States, armed robbery of a person of money belonging to the United States, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, assaulting an officer of the United States with a deadly weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  On October 2, 2024, MICHAEL LOTT pleaded guilty to the same charges as TROPEZ.  On November 22, 2024, VERNELL WOODARD pleaded guilty to the methamphetamine conspiracy and distribution charges, as well as all the charges related to his participation in the armed robbery and to maintaining a drug involved premises.

    During three lengthy sentencing hearings, the Court heard from the injured special agent, as well as members of his family and other special agents who had worked with the injured agent.  Judge Lemelle imposed sentences on all three defendants convicted of participating in the robbery that were well above the recommended guidelines ranges.  Judge Lemelle sentenced LOTT to 300 months of imprisonment.  He also sentenced TROPEZ to 284 months of imprisonment, and WOODARD to 209 months of imprisonment.  Each defendant was also placed on a five-year term of supervised release following release from imprisonment and payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count.

    “Following the lengthy sentences imposed on Michael Lott, Dianta Tropez, and Vernell Woodard, our community is a bit safer,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson.  “We take any violence against law enforcement very seriously.  Although we cannot undo the tragic events in this case ultimately, justice was achieved, not only for the ATF special agent so grievously injured by this crime, but also for, law enforcement professionals and the community at large.  Violent criminals, bent on preying upon our citizens, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The substantial sentencings of Michael Lott, Dianta Tropez, and Vernell Woodard signifies that each defendant will be held accountable for engaging in violent crime in the community,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson.  “Holding accountable offenders who commit violent crimes against law enforcement, like our Special Agent in this case, and protecting the public are cornerstones of what our agency seeks to accomplish.  No matter how long it takes, we will investigate, arrest, prosecute and ensure accountability for those violent criminals and to remove them from the community as we are working to keep our neighborhoods safe.”

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

    The investigation giving rise to the superseding indictment was conducted primarily by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Louisiana State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department and Crimestoppers GNO.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Haller, Senior Litigation Counsel and PSN Coordinator, and Nolan Paige, Chief of the Narcotics Unit.

    *        *       *

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Prospera Announces Monthly Operations Update and Increase to Term Loan

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospera Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PEI, OTC: GXRFF) (“Prospera“, “PEI” or the “Corporation“)

    Prospera Energy remains committed to providing stakeholders with transparent, timely, and data-driven updates on operational performance and field developments. This monthly report delivers key insights into the company’s production trends, optimization initiatives, and strategic advancements. All production figures represent the Company’s gross sales, reported in accordance with NI 51-101 and applicable industry standards.

    Production averaged 680 boe/d (92% oil) from February 1st-25th, with production peaking on February 25th at 798 boe/d (92% oil), despite extreme winter conditions including record low wind chills reaching -47°C on several days. This production growth reflects the Company’s continued efforts to optimize well performance and bring additional production online.

    The company continues advancing its Hearts Hill workover program with seven of eleven wells now completed, achieving capital efficiency of less than $5,000 per boe/d. In mid-February, Prospera deployed a second service rig to accelerate its Luseland workover program with three of ten wells now completed. The program’s first three wells have come in 24% under budget, while still in the clean-up and load fluid recovery phase.

    The company is specifically targeting high-impact Luseland workovers, including wells with significant reservoir and production potential that have remained offline for the last 10 to 15 years. These wells were previously inactive due to lower commodity prices, lack of operational focus, limited capital availability of past operators, and outdated heavy oil downhole technology which has since seen a step change during this timeframe and which Prospera can now leverage. Additionally, the Company has initiated a review of several enhanced oil recovery techniques, including polymer flooding, steam injection, injector conversions to improve waterflood sweep, and facility debottlenecking to optimize production efficiency.

    Reaffirming its commitment to strengthening its financial position, Prospera has successfully negotiated structured payment plans and arrangements with its top 50 vendors ranked by outstanding accounts payable arrears. This initiative marks a significant step toward reducing liabilities, enhancing cash flow management, and fostering long-term vendor partnerships—ensuring the Company can execute its development plans with greater financial flexibility.

    The company continues to make significant strides in addressing MER and AER non-compliances including spill pile clean-ups, well and lease signage, mineral lease reacquisitions, general housekeeping, and annulus/packer fixes, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards while maintaining operational efficiency. These compliance efforts remain a top priority as Prospera reinforces its commitment to responsible resource development.

    The pipeline cutout failure analysis and third-party engineering review for both Hearts Hill pipeline failures have been completed and shared with the appropriate regulatory bodies. The conclusions from these evaluations have been incorporated into Prospera’s field-wide development strategy, as well as its abandonment, reclamation, and turnaround initiatives.

    In Brooks, the company continues to accelerate well production by increasing fluid level drawdown, implementing casing gas compression to alleviate pressure on the reservoir, and enhanced wax and scale mitigation strategies. These efforts have led to increased production, with additional optimization capacity available on these fronts. Preparatory work in Brooks is ongoing, including evaluations of acid fracs versus cross-linked gel fracs and the most effective matrix stimulation techniques for the Pekisko wells. AFE’s have been finalized for various projects and are ready to be capitalized as part of the company’s development plans.

    The company has completed extensive reviews of the nine horizontal wells drilled in 2023 in the Cuthbert pool, as only three of the wells are performing to expectations. The six lower-producing wells have been analyzed through reservoir engineering, geological assessments, and drilling post-mortem analysis. Plans are in place to conduct workovers on four of these wells over time, with one specific workover scheduled for later in Q1.

    Replacement of worn-out field equipment has accelerated, with new and rebuilt engine installations being completed across all fields. Plans are in place to purchase additional new and rebuilt engines as wells are brought online. Lease operating cost reviews are now being conducted more frequently, with a current focus on optimizing electricity costs, flushby costs, and the transportation of oil from our batteries to sales points.

    Loan Amendment Update
    The Corporation announces a further amendment to its $11,000,000 promissory note, originally dated July 7, 2024, in collaboration with its principal lender. Following previous increases, an additional $1,550,000 has been added, bringing the total principal amount to $14,500,000. The note retains its original terms, including a 12% interest rate and a two-year maturity, with no other changes. This amendment remains subject to acceptance by the TSXV.

    About Prospera

    Prospera Energy Inc. is a publicly traded Canadian energy company specializing in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Prospera is dedicated to optimizing recovery from legacy fields using environmentally safe and efficient reservoir development methods and production practices. The company’s core properties are strategically located in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Cuthbert, Luseland, Hearts Hill, and Brooks. Prospera Energy Inc. is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PEI and the U.S. OTC Market under GXRFF.

    Prospera reports gross production at the first point of sale, excluding gas used in operations and volumes from partners in arrears, even if cash proceeds are received. Gross production represents Prospera’s working interest before royalties, while net production reflects its working interest after royalty deductions. These definitions align with ASC 51-324 to ensure consistency and transparency in reporting.

    For Further Information:

    Shawn Mehler, PR
    Email: investors@prosperaenergy.com

    Chris Ludtke, CFO
    Email: cludtke@prosperaenergy.com

    Shubham Garg, Chairman of the Board
    Email: sgarg@prosperaenergy.com

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Corporation and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “will,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Corporation, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

    Although Prospera believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Prospera can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures.

    The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Prospera. As a result, Prospera cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward- looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Prospera does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

    Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four New Orleans Men Indicted for Selling Fentanyl and Methamphetamine and Multiple Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that SHERWIN WHITE (“WHITE”), age 29, LIONEL WINDING, JR. (“WINDING”), age 20, LORENZO SMITH (“SMITH”), age 19, and ANDRE MILLS (“MILLS”), age 37, were indicted on February 21, 2025, in a 20-count indictment for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances and Gun Control Acts.

    WHITE, WINDING, SMITH, and MILLS are all charged in Count 1 of the indictment with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846.

    WHITE, WINDING, and SMITH are each charged with distributing various quantities of fentanyl in Counts 2 and 3 and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Counts 4 and 8, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 841(b)(1)(C).  WHITE and MILLS are also charged with distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Count 12, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). WHITE is additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl in Count 16, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).  WINDING is additionally charged in Count 19 with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D).

    As to their firearms crimes, WHITE, WINDING, and SMITH are each charged in Counts 6 and 10, and WHITE and MILLS are charged in Count 13, with carrying firearms during, and in relation to, a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  WINDING is charged in Counts 5, 9, and 20, and WHITE is charged in Count 17, with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).  WHITE is also charged in Counts 7, 11, 14, and 18, and MILLS is charged in Count 15, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).

    According to the indictment, between November of 2024 and January of 2025, the defendants distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine and conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, those substances.  On January 30, 2025, WHITE and WINDING possessed additional controlled substances with the intent to distribute them.  The indictment also alleges that the defendants carried firearms during three of the drug distributions and that WINDING also possessed a firearm in furtherance of two of the distributions.  The indictment further alleges that, on four different dates, WHITE illegally possessed firearms, after previously being convicted of distribution of heroin, and, on one of those dates, MILLS also illegally possessed firearms, after previously being convicted of distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.  In total, the indictment alleges that the defendants committed federal crimes involving 17 firearms.

    As to the conspiracy charge in Count 1, all four defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison up to life, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release up to life. WHITE also faces the same penalties for his possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of methamphetamine charge in Count 16.

    As to the fentanyl distribution charge in Count 2, WHITE, WINDING, and SMITH face up to 20 years in prison, up to a $1,000,000 fine, and at least three years of supervised release. WINDING faces the same penalties for his possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana charge in Count 19.

    As to the charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl in Count 3, and each of the charges of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in Counts 4, 8, and 12, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison up to 40 years, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four years of supervised release up to life.

    As to each of the charges of carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in Counts 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 17, and 20, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to life imprisonment, which must run consecutively to each other and all other sentences, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to five years of supervised release.

    As to each of the felon in possession charges in Counts 7, 11, 14, 15, and 18, WHITE and MILLS face up to 15 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.

    WHITE is also charged with a sentencing enhancement based on his prior convictions for distributing heroin that raises his mandatory minimum sentence for Count 1 to 15 years in prison.

    Altogether, WHITE faces a cumulative mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in prison; WINDING faces a cumulative mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison; SMITH faces a cumulative mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison; and MILLS faces a cumulative mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

    Each count also carries a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

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

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with firearms trafficking

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Man charged with firearms trafficking

    Friday, 28 February 2025 – 9:57 am.

    Investigators have charged a 48-year-old Herdsmans Cove man with firearms trafficking and other offences as part of an ongoing police operation.
    Officers from Glenorchy and Bridgewater Criminal Investigation Branches executed a search warrant at a Herdsmans Cove address yesterday, locating several mobile phones, firearms and firearms parts and ammunition.
    The man was arrested at the scene and police will allege he has been trafficking and storing illegal firearms.
    He was charged with unlawful trafficking in firearms and other firearms, drug and family violence offences and is expected to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court this morning.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Fires in Custer and Dawes Counties

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Declares State of Emergency for Fires in Custer and Dawes Counties

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has declared a state of emergency for fires that have been burning since earlier this week in two counties. The Custer Complex Fire started on Monday and now consists of three active fires. The Schaffer Road Fire started on Tuesday and is located southeast of Chadron. The fires have been fueled by a combination of high winds, low humidity and dry conditions. 

     

    Proclamations issued by the Governor authorize the state’s adjutant general to activate state emergency plans and resources necessary to manage the fires, preventing possible loss of life and property. 

      

    The proclamations are included with this release.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: First Vegas, then the world? Why the NRL is eyeing international markets

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney

    This weekend, Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) continues to trumpet its now annual pilgrimage to open its season in Las Vegas.

    While it’s only the second year of a five-year arrangement, the NRL claims its Vegas experiment has been a great success at a time when the league has been in excellent health on and off the field.

    But why is the Australian league hosting games in Las Vegas? And has this experiment paid dividends?

    The NRL has made the bold decision to play games at Las Vegas.

    The NRL’s Vegas play

    There are a few reasons behind the NRL’s Vegas venture, with money at the heart of it.

    It’s partly about future TV revenue and trying to grab a slice of the US sports gambling market.

    And then there’s sponsors – it’s allowed the NRL to fish in the larger US pond in terms of corporate involvement in the game.

    According to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo:

    Outside of the benefit we get here domestically, in America we’ve now got sponsors that are incremental. We would not have had these sponsors had we not been growing in America. We’ve got a successful travel experience for fans, and we’ve got incremental subscriptions on Watch NRL, so you’ve got real revenue coming in which allows to us to now invest in expansion, and invest in a better product here.

    The move is also part of a grand vision to grow the game internationally.

    The NRL has announced a team from Papua New Guinea will join the league in 2028. It is also aiming for more integration with the Super League in England, perhaps one day eyeing franchises in the US and the Pacific.

    The NRL is also conscious of the US National Football League’s venture into Melbourne in 2026 and the competition that could bring for Pacific talent.



    Read more:
    It’s the most American of sports, so why is the NFL looking to Melbourne for international games?

    There may also be some football diplomacy at play. For example, some Sharks players visited the Los Angles firefighters who fought the recent wildfires for some lessons on leadership and crisis management.

    What happened last year?

    The Vegas venture started a year ago with the Sydney Roosters playing the Brisbane Broncos and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles playing the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a groundbreaking double-header.

    These matches were the first NRL regular season games held outside Australia and New Zealand.

    The crowd at Allegiant Stadium, which holds 65,000 fans, surpassed all expectations, with 40,746 turning up when about 25,000 were expected.

    According to Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, more than 14,000 fans flew from Australia for the games and many Aussie expats living in the US also made the trip.

    In terms of TV audiences in Australia, the experiment was a big hit.

    The Manly-South Sydney clash was the most-watched NRL game ever on Fox Sports, with 838,000 fans tuning in. The Roosters-Broncos contest drew a Fox Sports audience of 786,000.

    According to NRL chairman Peter V’Landys:

    There was a lot of success in Vegas last year that we didn’t even plan, and for me that was record viewership in Australia and […] record attendances at pubs and clubs.

    Stateside reaction

    Of course a lot of Aussies tuned in, but how about US viewers?

    Around 61,000 tuned into Manly-South Sydney while 44,000 watched the Roosters and Broncos, which is well below the threshold of 100,000 viewers for profitable sports broadcasting, according to TV ratings experts Sports Media Watch in the US.

    The NRL set up fan zones and other activities in the build-up to the games in Las Vegas to attract US fans and entertain the visting Aussie tourists.

    This year there will be even more on offer: there are four games instead of two, with the NRL bringing over the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors, and reigning four-time premiers the Penrith Panthers and the Cronulla Sharks.

    In addition, there’s an English Super League game, with the Wigan Warriors taking on Warrington Wolves, as well as an Australia-England women’s Test match.

    Is it worth it?

    So, has it been worth all the expense for the NRL?

    According to V’Landys, the competition’s bottom line has been largely unaffected despite the significant costs of the games:

    This year there’s a possibility that we’ll actually return a profit on Vegas and if not, it’ll be a small loss.

    But he’s not leaving anything to chance. In fact, in a televised plea on US TV show Fox and Friends, V’Landys invited President Donald Trump to attend the game.

    Will the president attend? Unlike a major US event like the Superbowl, where Trump was the first sitting president to attend, there’s not a big domestic constituency for rugby league, so chances are he won’t join the revelry in Vegas.

    But it sounds like the NRL, on current projections, won’t need him.

    With the introduction of a new team in PNG in 2028 and a possible 19th outfit in Perth soon after, the NRL has showcased an impressive vision to take the game into new markets.

    Even if a tiny proportion of the US market jumps on board rugby league, it can only help take the game closer to to its goal of being the undisputed number one sport in Australia.

    Tim Harcourt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. First Vegas, then the world? Why the NRL is eyeing international markets – https://theconversation.com/first-vegas-then-the-world-why-the-nrl-is-eyeing-international-markets-250622

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fourteenth and Final Defendant Convicted in Federal Dog Fighting Case

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    All 14 defendants in a large-scale federal dog fighting case indicted last year in Albany, Georgia, have now been convicted. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia has accepted the guilty pleas of the following defendants:

    • Tamichael Elijah, 48, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Marvin Pulley, III, 53, of Donalsonville and Jakin, Georgia;
    • Brandon Baker, 42, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Christopher Travis Beaumont, 38, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Herman Buggs, Jr., 57, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Terrance Davis, 46, of Pansey, Alabama;
    • Timothy Freeman, 27, of Bainbridge, Georgia;
    • Terelle Ganzy, 35, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Gary Hopkins, 67, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Cornelious Johnson, 40, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Rodrecus Kimble, 44, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Donnametric Miller, 42, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Willie Russell, 43, of Blakely, Georgia; and
    • Fredricus White, 36, of Panama City, Florida.

    According to court documents filed in this case, the defendants all converged on a property in Donalsonville, Georgia, on April 24, 2022, where they held a large-scale dog fighting event. The defendants and others brought a total of 24 pit bull-type dogs to be fought that weekend in a series of matches. Law enforcement personnel who disrupted the event found numerous dogs inside crates in cars on the property.

    The participants used their cars to store dogs who had already been fought, as well as those whose handlers were awaiting their turn in the fighting pit. Some dogs were kept on chains on the property. Law enforcement rescued a total of 27 dogs, including one found in the pit with severe injuries and which died a shortly thereafter. Dogs in the cars also bore recent injuries and historical fighting scars.

    Under federal law, it is illegal not only to fight dogs in a venture that affects interstate commerce, but also to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase or receive dogs for fighting purposes.

    All defendants but Freeman pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibition of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Defendants Beaumont and Miller also pleaded guilty to sponsoring or exhibiting (i.e., handling) a dog in a dog fight. Defendants Baker, Davis, Ganzy, Johnson, Pulley, and White further pleaded guilty to possessing and transporting a dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture. Freeman pleaded guilty to spectating at an animal fight. Defendants Miller and Pulley also pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony conviction.

    Russell is set to be sentenced on Feb. 28. The court has not yet set sentencing dates for the other defendants. Each defendant faces maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count of animal fighting charges. Miller also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge, and Pulley faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on his firearm charge.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker for the Middle District of Georgia made the announcement.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General and detectives with the Seminole County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Detectives with the Bay County, Florda, Sheriff’s Office also provided invaluable assistance.

    Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy and Trial Attorney Leigh Rendé of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Morrill and Paralegal Kristi Cote for the Middle District of Georgia handled a parallel civil forfeiture proceeding to ensure that the dogs did not have to be returned to the defendants. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Florida and Middle District of Alabama also assisted with the dog rescue operation. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Sentenced to 30 Years of Federal Imprisonment for Illegally Possessing Firearms and Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Memphis, TN – A federal judge has sentenced Andre Blue, 37, of Memphis, to 30 years in federal prison for multiple gun and drug offenses. Reagan Fondren, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

    According to the information presented in court, on July 13, 2022, detectives with the Multi-Agency Gang Unit executed a search warrant on an apartment where Blue was living. There, they discovered a loaded Glock Inc. .45 caliber pistol, a Sig Sauer Inc. 9mm caliber pistol, and a loaded Smith and a Wesson .45 caliber pistol in the primary bedroom. Additionally, detectives found several bags of various narcotics in the primary bathroom toilet bowl, one of which contained 15 grams of pure methamphetamine. An American Tactical Imports Inc. multi-caliber pistol was found in the closet of a child’s bedroom on the top shelf next to a magazine loaded with at least 50 live rounds. Due to his prior felony convictions, Blue is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

    After a three-day trial, in November 2024, a jury found Blue guilty of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. On February 26, 2025, United States District Judge Jon P. McCalla sentenced Blue to 30 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    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.

    This case was investigated by the PSN Gun Task Force, the Multi-Agency Gang Unit, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

    Acting United States Attorney Fondren thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Eileen Kuo and Regina Brittenum, who prosecuted this case, as well as the law enforcement partners who investigated the case.

    ###

    For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Members of Newport News mail theft and bank fraud ring sentenced to prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Four people have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a conspiracy in the Newport News area to steal mail and deposit counterfeit checks.

    According to court documents, on July 6, 2023, Andre Ephraim Billups Jr., 22, of Gloucester, and Johnny Ray Riddick, aka Glo, 24, of Newport News, robbed a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier in the area of Jefferson Point in Newport News. Arrow keys are used by letter carriers to access various types of mailboxes in a specific area, including blue collection boxes and apartment panel mailboxes. Riddick served as the getaway driver while Billups served as the gunman.

    Billups approached the letter carrier and first attempted to grab the key from her, but she resisted. Billups indicated to the carrier that he was armed to coerce her into producing and turning over her arrow key. After Billups obtained the arrow key from the carrier, he fled on foot towards the location where Riddick was waiting for him.

    Because a maintenance worker was chasing him, Billups diverted into the apartment of his friend and Riddick’s girlfriend, Alexis Sierra West, 24, of Newport News. Billups entered the apartment and left the key and his backpack with West, who contacted Riddick and asked him what to do with the key. Riddick directed her to hide it, which she did within her bedroom closet. West later lied to law enforcement about her knowledge of the robber and robbery. After Billups fled the apartment, he ran to where Riddick was waiting in his car.

    When West met Billups later to turnover the backpack and key, Riddick wiped her cellphone because he was worried about a potential law enforcement investigation. Billups separately wiped his own cellphone.

    Riddick and Billups repeatedly used the arrow key to illegally access USPS collection boxes in the area and steal mail. Due to numerous customer complaints of mail theft, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) began surveilling blue collection boxes in the area.

    On Dec. 3, 2023, law enforcement officers with USPIS, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Newport News Police Department (NNPD) conducted surveillance of the Hidenwood Post Office in Newport News. Karon-Omar Gary, 21, of Gloucester, whom Billups had recruited to serve as getaway driver in connection with the collection box break-ins, drove Billups to the collection box outside the Post Office. Billups was armed with a handgun and a rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition.

    Billups got out of the vehicle and used the arrow key to open a collection box and access the mail but was interrupted by a Postal Inspector and an NNPD officer. Billups quickly retreated to the vehicle, but when the Inspector approached and gave verbal commands to stop, Gary drove in the direction of the Inspector. The Inspector discharged her service weapon, striking Billups in the shoulder.

    Officers pursued the vehicle, which fled through Newport News into York County and then Gloucester County, at almost 100 miles per hour. Gloucester County law enforcement deployed “stop sticks” to disable the vehicle. Gary was taken into custody immediately. Billups fled on foot but eventually surrendered after disposing of his handgun.

    Investigators searched the vehicle and recovered the stolen arrow key, Billups’ rifle, ammunition, two magazines, and Gary’s and Billups’ cellphones. They also recovered a driver’s license, debit cards, and checks in the names of several different individuals.

    Riddick, Billups, and West engaged in a bank fraud scheme that involved “card cracking,” “check washing,” or “smacking the account.” They would deposit a counterfeit check that had been altered or fabricated into a third-party account, then withdraw or spend as much of that money as possible before the fraud was detected. Billups and Riddick would steal mail, then Riddick would send West pictures of checks from the mail, which she digitally “washed” and sent back to Riddick, who used them to produce counterfeit checks. Billups and Riddick maintained supplies, including stacks of blank checks and a printer, which they operated in West’s apartment.

    On Feb. 29, 2024, Gary pled guilty to attempted theft of U.S. Mail. On Nov. 12, 2024, he was sentenced to time served.

    On Sept. 25, 2024, Billups pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and using a firearm in a crime of violence. He was sentenced today to seven years and six months in prison.

    On Sept. 26, 2024, West pled guilty to unlawful possession of postal keys and accessory after the fact. On Feb. 6, she was sentenced to six months in prison.

    On Sept. 30, 2024, Riddick pled guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. On Feb. 14, he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison.

    Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Steve R. Drew, Chief of Newport News Police; Ronald Montgomery, York County Sheriff; and Darrell W. Warren, Jr., Gloucester County Sheriff, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-cr-94.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty to Firearms Dealing, Possession of a Machinegun and Cocaine Distribution

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant sold five firearms while on state pretrial release for charges including possessing large capacity weapon and assault and battery

    BOSTON – A former Worcester resident pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to firearms offenses and distributing cocaine.

    Juan Otero, 23, of Franklin, Mass. pleaded guilty to one count of dealing in firearms without a license; one count of receiving a firearm while under indictment; one count of possession of a machinegun; and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2025. In March 2024, Otero Was indicted by a federal grand jury.

    Between Nov. 27, 2023 and Jan. 23, 2024, Otero sold five firearms on four different occasions. One of the firearms was a Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device, also known as a “Glock switch,” attached. Otero also sold large capacity magazines and multiple rounds of ammunition. In addition, Otero distributed or possessed with intent to distribute cocaine on or about Dec. 6, 2023.

    In 2022, Otero was indicted in Worcester Superior Court for multiple state crimes, including the unlawful possession of a large capacity weapon, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm, unlawful possession of a large capacity firearm and ammunition and attempted assault and battery. Otero was on release pending trial on the state court charges at the time of his firearm sales in this matter.  

    The charges of dealing in firearms without a license and receipt of a firearm while under indictment both provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawful possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of cocaine carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Paul Saucier, Interim Police Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Franklin, Mansfield and Auburn Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina

    Secretary Dev Sangvai Visits Western North Carolina
    jwerner

    North Carolina Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai traveled to western North Carolina this week to meet with health care and social services partners to learn more about the status of Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and discuss the impacts of staffing shortages and other challenges they face. Together, we are committed to recovery efforts and supporting staff as we continue to create a healthier North Carolina for all.

    Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center

    Secretary Sangvai began the first day of his trip on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Buncombe County for a site visit and informational meeting with staff at the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center (BMNTC), one of three state-operated facilities in North Carolina that serves adults with chronic and complex medical conditions that co-exist with neurodevelopmental and/or neurocognitive disorders and/or a diagnosis of severe and persistent mental illness. 

    Secretary Sangvai was led on a tour of the facility, including one of the residential units, to learn more about the quality care received by patients both during and after Hurricane Helene. He also visited the third floor of the Gravely Wing at BMNTC to assess the status of renovations that were planned prior to Helene  and are estimated to be completed by July 2025.

    Secretary Sangvai met with the BMNTC Executive Committee to discuss the successes and areas of concern among staff members. The facility has largely recovered from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, returning to normal operations with all evacuated residents returning to BMNTC. Employees shared concerns regarding staffing shortages as well as recruitment and retention challenges, particularly in nursing positions. BMNTC has ramped up recruitment efforts this quarter as unemployment in the region has spiked due to business closures in the wake of Helene.

     NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai and Chief Deputy Secretary for Operational Excellence Dr. ClarLynda Williams-Devane travel to western North Carolina to meet with health care and social services partners. 

    Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center

    Following the visit to BMNTC, Secretary Sangvai continued his travels through Black Mountain to the Julian F. Keith Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center (JFK). There, he met with staff to learn more about the facility and services offered as well as the status of recovery efforts. He also went on a tour to get a more comprehensive look at the various services JFK staff provide their patients.

    Secretary Sangvai heard from JFK staff about their continued work to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, all while battling staffing shortages, closures to the facility and increased mental health challenge among the community they serve.  JFK staff cared for and assisted in the evacuation of patients during Hurricane Helene, standing up a detox unit at Broughton Hospital to provide a place of respite for those unable to seek care at JFK. A huge win for JFK staff recently came in the form of the treatment center reopening their kitchen after a seven-month long closure .

    “I am so grateful for the work being done at our facilities as recovery continues from the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene,” said Secretary Sangvai. “These teams have worked tirelessly to provide life-changing care. This commitment matches what I have seen across the department, as we work to improve access to care and ensure people receive the care they need no matter where they live or how much money they make.”

    Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority

    On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Secretary Sangvai traveled to Cherokee, NC, to meet with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA). EBCI has contracted with NCDHHS to participate in NC Medicaid, thereby providing access to Medicaid managed care services for federally recognized Tribal Members and other individuals eligible to receive Indian Health Services. Through this partnership with NCDHHS, EBCI is the first Tribal-led Medicaid managed care entity in the country, aligning Medicaid services with Tribal health priorities and providing care for enrolled EBCI members.

    During his visit, Secretary Sangvai learned about the status of NCDHHS and CIHA’s multiple partnerships, including the development of a Child Crisis Stabilization Unit on the Qualla Boundary, the location of CIHA’s main hospital. The new unit will provide emergency mental health stabilization services for youth experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis. A revolutionary care model for western North Carolina, the unit will serve both tribal and non-tribal youth, ensuring that all children in the region have access to these critical resources.  

    Secretary Sangvai saw first-hand during his trip that CIHA has also been battling recruitment difficulties, struggling to address rural health care workforce shortages and retention issues. Despite these challenges, CIHA is a pillar of health care excellence for the EBCI, working diligently to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care that honors and integrates the rich heritage of Cherokee culture.

    Broughton Hospital

    Later in the day, Secretary Sangvai visited Broughton Hospital, one of three psychiatric hospitals operated by the NCDHHS Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities, to tour the facility and learn more about the hospital’s priorities as western North Carolina moves forward from Hurricane Helene. He spoke with staff as he toured the patient care center, gym, chapel and treatment mall.

    Broughton staff emphasized their struggles to recruit and retain staff with a high number of vacancies in full-time positions at the facility. These staffing shortages directly impact the hospital’s ability to serve more patients, limiting the number of beds that can be filled and increasing wait times prospective patients may face before receiving care. Hospitals are growing increasingly reliant on temporary employees, especially for nursing and medical staff, due in part to salaries that struggle to compete with others on the job market.

    “The staff at our state operated psychiatric hospitals work incredibly hard to provide critical support to their patients every day,” Secretary Sangvai said. “I will continue to advocate for the resilient staff that serve our state and support NCDHHS’ efforts to strengthen the health care workforce in order to improve capacity limitations, so more patients are able to quickly access needed care.”

    J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center

    On Thursday morning, Feb. 26, Secretary Sangvai traveled to Burke County, making his first stop at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center (JIRDC), one of three State Developmental Centers which provides services and support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), complex behavioral challenges and/or medical conditions whose clinical treatment needs exceed the supports currently available in the community. He toured JIRDC, making a visit to one of the homes at the facility to greet staff and residents.

    Facility leadership voiced concerns regarding recruitment, including filling key positions at JIRDC. Despite recent measures taken to increase Direct Support Professionals and Registered Nurses salaries, JIRDC still struggles from a 23% vacancy rate, impacting staff’s ability to serve more patients.

    In addition to staff’s efforts to recover from Hurricane Helene, JIRDC housed approximately one-third of BMNTC residents during local infrastructure repairs. As many employees face burnout amidst an unprecedented crisis, Secretary Sangvai pledged to continue to prioritize the well-being of the health care workforce in North Carolina and to ensure the sustainability and functionality of state operated healthcare facilities for patients and staff.

    Burke County DSS

    The Secretary then traveled to the Burke County Department of Social Services, where he toured facilities and met with local social services staff. Staff at Burke County DSS worked to quickly respond to issues as Hurricane Helene hit their community. Their team had to navigate a total loss of communications systems, staffing shortages, burnout and the increased stress of managing a large-scale recovery operation in the wake of the storm. Today, Burke County DSS has fortunately largely returned to “normal” operations. This is partially because as a county on the eastern edge of Helene’s path, Burke County saw fewer individuals permanently displaced than some other counties impacted by the storm.

    Secretary Sangvai spoke with Burke County DSS Director Korey Fisher-Wellman to form a better understanding of the issues facing their office and other county DSS offices across the state. The Secretary reinforced NCDHHS’ ongoing commitment to support recovery efforts as western North Carolina continues to recover and rebuild.

    Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

    Secretary Sangvai concluded his trip on Thursday at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, which has served as a Critical Access Hospital for the people of western North Carolina since 1955. The Secretary was joined by CEO and Chief Nurse Tonia Hale, and the Vice President of Government Relations for HCA Healthcare Lori Kroll , for a tour of the hospital and a presentation on workforce development and Hurricane Helene recovery. The team highlighted the hospital’s efforts to bounce back from the hurricane, and Secretary Sangvai shared NCDHHS’ commitment to work with hospitals across the state to address the impacts of staffing shortages and support recruitment and retention efforts.

    Please see more photos from Secretary Sangvai’s visit.

    Feb 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Announces Date for 2024 Financial Results and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Intermap Technologies (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) (“Intermap” or the “Company”), a global leader in 3D geospatial products and intelligence solutions, today announced that it plans to release fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results after market close on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

    Intermap’s CEO Patrick A. Blott, CFO Jennifer Bakken and COO Jack Schneider will host a live webinar on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at 5:00 pm ET to review the results, provide Company updates and answer investor questions following the presentation.

    Intermap invites shareholders, analysts, investors, media representatives and other stakeholders to attend the earnings webinar to discuss fourth quarter 2024 results.

    CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
    DATE:     Thursday, March 27, 2025
    TIME:     5:00 pm ET
    WEBCAST:     Register

    A recording of the webinar and supporting materials will be made available in the investor’s section of the Company’s website at https://www.intermap.com/investors.

    Intermap Reader Advisory 
    Certain information provided in this news release, including reference to revenue growth, constitutes forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate”, “expect”, “project”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “will be”, “will consider”, “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although Intermap believes that these statements are based on information and assumptions which are current, reasonable and complete, these statements are necessarily subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Intermap’s forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties pertaining to, among other things, cash available to fund operations, availability of capital, revenue fluctuations, nature of government contracts, economic conditions, loss of key customers, retention and availability of executive talent, competing technologies, common share price volatility, loss of proprietary information, software functionality, internet and system infrastructure functionality, information technology security, breakdown of strategic alliances, and international and political considerations, as well as those risks and uncertainties discussed Intermap’s Annual Information Form and other securities filings. While the Company makes these forward-looking statements in good faith, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from those expected. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that the Company will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Intermap or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

    About Intermap Technologies 

    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 7260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Cook Islands government to seek update on China’s naval exercises

    By Talaia Mika of the Cook Islands News

    As concerns continue to emerge over China’s “unusual” naval exercises in the Tasman Sea, raising eyebrows from New Zealand and Australia, the Cook Islands government was questioned for an update in Parliament.

    This follows the newly established bilateral relations between the Cook Islands and China through a five-year agreement and Prime Minister Mark Brown’s accusations of the New Zealand media and experts looking down on the Cook Islands.

    A Chinese Navy convoy held two live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand on Friday and Saturday, prompting passenger planes to change course mid-flight and pressuring officials in both countries.

    Akaoa MP Robert Heather queried the Prime Minister whether the government had spoken to Chinese embassy officials in New Zealand for a response in this breach of Australian waters?

    “One thing I do know is that just in the recent weeks, New Zealand navy was part of an exercise with the Australians and Americans conducting naval exercises in the South China Sea and perhaps that’s why China decided to exercise naval exercises in the international waters off the coast of Australia,” he said.

    “And I also know that in the last two weeks, the government of Australia and China signed a security treaty between the two countries.

    “However in due course, we may be informed more about these naval exercises that these countries conduct in international waters off each other’s coasts.”

    According to Brown, he had not been briefed by any government whether it’s New Zealand, Australia, or China about these developments.

    Asking for an update
    He added that while the Minister of Foreign Affairs Elikana was currently in the Solomon Islands attending a forum on fisheries together with other ministers of the Pacific Region, he would ask him about whether he could make any inquiries to find out whether the government could be updated or briefed on this issue.

    Meanwhile, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing, that lack of sufficient warning from China about the live-fire exercises was a “failure” in the New Zealand-China relationship.

    A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defence, Wu Qian explained that China’s actions were entirely in accordance with international law and established practices and would not impact on aviation safety.

    He added that the live-fire training was conducted with repeated safety notices that had been issued in advance.

    Republished with permission from the Cook Islands News.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourteenth and Final Defendant Convicted in Federal Dog Fighting Case

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    All 14 defendants in a large-scale federal dog fighting case indicted last year in Albany, Georgia, have now been convicted. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia has accepted the guilty pleas of the following defendants:

    • Tamichael Elijah, 48, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Marvin Pulley, III, 53, of Donalsonville and Jakin, Georgia;
    • Brandon Baker, 42, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Christopher Travis Beaumont, 38, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Herman Buggs, Jr., 57, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Terrance Davis, 46, of Pansey, Alabama;
    • Timothy Freeman, 27, of Bainbridge, Georgia;
    • Terelle Ganzy, 35, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Gary Hopkins, 67, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Cornelious Johnson, 40, of Panama City, Florida;
    • Rodrecus Kimble, 44, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Donnametric Miller, 42, of Donalsonville, Georgia;
    • Willie Russell, 43, of Blakely, Georgia; and
    • Fredricus White, 36, of Panama City, Florida.

    According to court documents filed in this case, the defendants all converged on a property in Donalsonville, Georgia, on April 24, 2022, where they held a large-scale dog fighting event. The defendants and others brought a total of 24 pit bull-type dogs to be fought that weekend in a series of matches. Law enforcement personnel who disrupted the event found numerous dogs inside crates in cars on the property.

    The participants used their cars to store dogs who had already been fought, as well as those whose handlers were awaiting their turn in the fighting pit. Some dogs were kept on chains on the property. Law enforcement rescued a total of 27 dogs, including one found in the pit with severe injuries and which died a shortly thereafter. Dogs in the cars also bore recent injuries and historical fighting scars.

    Under federal law, it is illegal not only to fight dogs in a venture that affects interstate commerce, but also to possess, train, transport, deliver, sell, purchase or receive dogs for fighting purposes.

    All defendants but Freeman pleaded guilty to felony conspiracy to violate the animal fighting prohibition of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Defendants Beaumont and Miller also pleaded guilty to sponsoring or exhibiting (i.e., handling) a dog in a dog fight. Defendants Baker, Davis, Ganzy, Johnson, Pulley, and White further pleaded guilty to possessing and transporting a dog for purposes of using the dog in an animal fighting venture. Freeman pleaded guilty to spectating at an animal fight. Defendants Miller and Pulley also pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a firearm by a person with a prior felony conviction.

    Russell is set to be sentenced on Feb. 28. The court has not yet set sentencing dates for the other defendants. Each defendant faces maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per count of animal fighting charges. Miller also faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the firearm charge, and Pulley faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on his firearm charge.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker for the Middle District of Georgia made the announcement.

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Inspector General and detectives with the Seminole County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Detectives with the Bay County, Florda, Sheriff’s Office also provided invaluable assistance.

    Senior Trial Attorney Ethan Eddy and Trial Attorney Leigh Rendé of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case with assistance from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Morrill and Paralegal Kristi Cote for the Middle District of Georgia handled a parallel civil forfeiture proceeding to ensure that the dogs did not have to be returned to the defendants. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of Florida and Middle District of Alabama also assisted with the dog rescue operation. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New models, customization and agent upgrades in Azure AI Foundry 

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: New models, customization and agent upgrades in Azure AI Foundry 

    We are excited to announce major updates to Azure AI Foundry, our integrated platform for designing, customizing, and managing enterprise-grade AI applications.

    At Microsoft, we are dedicated to advancing AI innovation to empower organizations, transform industries, and redefine productivity. Today, we are excited to announce major updates to Azure AI Foundry, our integrated platform for designing, customizing, and managing enterprise-grade AI applications. These updates include groundbreaking new models like OpenAI’s GPT-4.5, enhanced fine-tuning and distillation techniques, and the launch of new enterprise tools for agents. These advancements are designed to accelerate the journey from AI experimentation to tangible business impact.

    Build with Azure AI Foundry

    Introducing GPT-4.5 in preview on Azure OpenAI Service 

    Building on the success of previous models, GPT-4.5 is the latest and strongest general-purpose model. This research preview demonstrates the achievements from scaling pre and post-training, a step forward in unsupervised learning techniques.

    • Natural interaction: GPT-4.5 offers a more natural interaction experience. It has a broader knowledge base, and its higher “EQ” can help to improve coding, writing, and problem-solving tasks. 
    • Accuracy and hallucinations: With a lower hallucination rate (37.1% vs. 61.8%) and higher accuracy (62.5% vs. 38.2%) compared to GPT-4o, developers can rely on more precise and relevant responses.
    • Stronger human alignment: Enhanced alignment techniques improve GPT-4.5’s ability to follow instructions, understand nuances, and engage in natural conversations, making it a more effective tool for coding and project management. 

     Developers can leverage GPT-4.5 in numerous ways to enhance productivity and creativity. In communication, users can rely on GPT-4.5 to craft clear and effective emails, messages, and documentation. It also offers personalized learning and coaching experiences, helping users to acquire new skills or deepen knowledge in specific areas. During brainstorming sessions, GPT-4.5 can generate innovative ideas and solutions, making it a valuable tool for creative thinking. 

    For project planning and execution, GPT-4.5 assists users in organizing their tasks, ensuring thorough and efficient approaches. It can also handle complex task automation, simplifying intricate processes and workflows. Developers can streamline their coding workflows by getting step-by-step guidance and automating repetitive tasks, to save time and reduce errors. Overall, GPT-4.5 is a versatile model. Starting today, enterprise customers can access GPT-4.5 in Azure AI Foundry.

    New models: Phi-4, Stability AI, and recent releases 

    The latest wave of AI models shares a common focus: delivering specialized capabilities with greater efficiency. These releases represent a shift toward purpose-built AI that excels in specific domains while requiring fewer computational resources. Here are some standout launches on Azure AI Foundry. 

    Microsoft’s Phi models continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with smaller, more efficient architectures: 

    • Phi-4-multimodal unifies text, speech, and vision for context-aware interactions. Retail kiosks can now diagnose product issues via camera and voice inputs, eliminating the need for complex manual descriptions. 
    • Phi-4-mini It outperforms larger models on coding and math tasks while increasing inference speed by 30% compared to previous models. 
    Experiment with Phi for free

    Stability AI continues to advance generative imaging with models that accelerate creative workflows: 

    • Stable Diffusion 3.5 Large generates high-fidelity marketing assets faster than previous versions, maintaining brand consistency across diverse visual styles. 
    • Stable Image Ultra achieves photorealism for product imagery, reducing photoshoot costs through accurate material rendering and color fidelity. 
    • Stable Image Core an enhanced version of SDXL (text-to-image generative AI model developed by Stability AI), provides high-quality output with exceptional speed and efficiency. 

    Cohere enhances information retrieval capabilities with its latest ranking technology: 

    • Cohere ReRank v3.5 delivers more accurate search results through its 4,096-token context window and support for over 100 languages, surfacing relevant content even without exact keyword matches. 

    The GPT-4o family expands with two specialized variants: 

    • GPT-4o-Audio-Preview handles audio prompts and generates spoken responses with appropriate emotion and emphasis, which is ideal for digital assistants and customer service. 
    • GPT-4o-Realtime-Preview eliminates conversation lag with breakthrough latency reduction, creating genuinely human-like interaction flows. 

    Agora, a pioneer in enabling real-time engagement, notes:

    GPT-4o-Realtime has revolutionized voice interaction for our conversational AI product, empowering developers with multilingual human-like voices, stable streaming, and ultra-low latency across customer service, telemedicine, and education.

    These advances collectively signal AI’s evolution toward more natural, responsive, and efficient interactions across diverse use cases and deployment environments. 

    As our model library surpasses 1,800 offerings, we continue to push the boundaries of experimentation and observability. Our new suite of fine-tuning tools complements the rise of unsupervised learning techniques.  

    • Reinforcement fine-tuning: Now in private preview, this technique teaches models to reason in new ways by rewarding correct logical paths and penalizing incorrect reasoning.
    • Provisioned Deployment for fine-tuning: Azure OpenAI Service now offers Provisioned Deployments for fine-tuned models, ensuring predictable performance and costs through Provisioned Throughput Units (PTUs) in addition to token-based billing.
    • Fine-tuning for Mistral Models: Exclusive to Azure AI Foundry, Mistral Large 2411 and Ministral 3B now support fine-tuning for industry-specific tasks like healthcare document redaction. 
    Build custom generative AI solutions with Azure OpenAI

    Secure automation and scale for enterprise agents 

    In today’s enterprise landscape, security, and scalability are strategic imperatives. We’re introducing two powerful features designed to help you securely harness AI for mission-critical tasks: 

    • Bring your Vnet: Azure AI Agent Service now enables all AI agent interactions, data processing, and API calls to remain securely within your organization’s own virtual network, eliminating exposure to the public internet. Early adopters like Fujitsu are leveraging this capability to improve sales by 67% with their sales proposal creation agent, saving countless hours that can be redirected toward customer engagement and strategic planning, all while maintaining data integrity. 

    To learn more about building multi-agent applications with Azure AI Foundry, check out this informative webinar. 

    Create your AI solution with Azure AI Foundry 

    We are excited about these new developments and look forward to seeing how you will leverage these powerful tools and features to drive innovation. Get going with new models and tools in Azure AI Foundry.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: Despite challenges, UNRWA says ‘unparalleled progress’ made during ceasefire

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    Since the ceasefire began in Gaza on 19 January, “unparalleled progress” has been made in providing desperately needed aid to families across the devastated enclave, said UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, on Thursday.

    Agency teams have worked around the clock to provide services to a people who are overwhelmed following 15 months of constant bombardment, forced displacement, and lack of critical supplies, the agency said in a press release.

    “This reflects UNRWA’s commitment to supporting families in Gaza through this unprecedented humanitarian crisis,” said Sam Rose, UNRWA’s acting director of Gaza Affairs, speaking from an UNRWA health centre in southern Gaza.

    “Despite every political and logistical challenge to the Agency, UNRWA remains resolute in its mission to provide essential services to families who need them now more than ever.”

    Last October, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, adopted two bills banning UNRWA from working in Israeli territory and enforcing a no-contact policy between national authorities and agency representatives. The laws took effect in January.

    Two million reached

    In a significant milestone, and in close coordination with other humanitarian partners, UNRWA has now provided food assistance to two million people, or over 90 per cent of the population, helping to bring some improvement to overall food security.

    The agency has also restored healthcare access to nearly 180,000 people in Khan Younis, Rafah and Gaza City through the re-opening of health centres.

    In addition, agency teams reached more than half a million with blankets, mattresses, floor mats, clothes, cooking equipment, and tarpaulins to protect from the rain.

    All agencies scale up support

    The recent polio campaign in Gaza concluded successfully, reaching over 600,000 children under the age of 10, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) provided supplies to three hospitals and five health partners, benefiting 250,000 people across the Strip. Additionally, WHO supported the expansion of triage and emergency departments in Al-Shifa hospital with tents and 20 extra beds.

    Children’s agency UNICEF has delivered essential health kits, paediatric medicines, and newborn supplies for over 20,000 people at Al Awda Hospital in northern Gaza.

    UN partners have also scaled up food security, distributing 860,000 cooked meals daily – a 10 per cent increase from the previous week.

    Back to school, for some

    The World Food Programme (WFP) has made subsidised bread available at 24 retail shops in the South and re-established four food distribution points in the north.

    Efforts to improve water and sanitation continue, with two water points established and expanded in North Gaza governorate, and two sections of water networks repaired in Khan Younis.

    As of Wednesday, 100,000 children have enrolled in school, marking a return to in-person learning after 16 months. A total of 165 public schools have reopened across Gaza.

    West Bank emergency: 40,000 forcibly displaced

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces’ operations in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Tubas have led to further casualties and displacement, hindering access to essential services.

    The UN stresses the importance of respecting international law and protecting civilians.

    Listen below to audio from Ajith Sunghay who is the top UN human rights official for the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He told UN News on Thursday that with 40,000 now forcibly displaced from refugee camps in the West Bank, it seems “return is not an option” for at least a year as Israel forces dig in.

    Soundcloud

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Information sought following Naenae fire

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Sergeant Seamus Doyle

    Hutt Valley Police are seeking witnesses to a fire on Sladden Street, Naenae in the early hours of Tuesday 25 February.

    Shortly after 3am, an occupant of the address woke to see the front porch of the house was on fire.

    Thankfully, they were able to wake everybody else in the house and they all made it out of the house uninjured.

    A scene examination and initial enquiries have determined this fire was deliberately lit.

    We would like to hear from anyone in the Sladden Street area who saw any suspicious activity or vehicles between 3am and 3:30am on Tuesday morning.

    This includes any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area.

    If anyone has any information that could assist Police, please contact us on 105 by calling or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105

    Please reference file number 250225/0666.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 3d MLR Conducts its first Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation across the Hawaiian Islands

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    “This MCCRE was unique given the very exquisite capabilities of the MLR to work across domains, and with commands multiple echelons higher than other Colonel-led formations,” said Col. John G. Lehane, commanding officer, 3d MLR. “That uniqueness required supporting organizations including Training & Education Command (TECOM), Marine Aviation Weapons & Tactics Squadron (MAWTS), Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group (MCTOG), Tactical Training Exercise Control Ground (TTECG), Marine Corps Logistics Operations Group (MCLOG), and the 3d Marine Division Staff augmented by representatives from across the joint force to present a realistic complex scenario that stressed the formation from the individual and team, up through the Regimental level.”

    When 3d MLR redesignated from 3d Marines in 2022, the formation was redesigned with a seven-fold value proposition in mind. 3d MLR would 1) conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO), 2) support maritime domain awareness, 3) attack enemy maritime targets, 4) conduct expeditionary strike, 5) support operations in the information environment, 6) coordinate air and missile defense, and 7) plan and direct crisis response operations. During the MCCRE, 3d MLR demonstrated these seven core capabilities and resolidified itself as a formation capable of disrupting the adversary in a contested littoral environment through reconnaissance, counter-reconnaissance, and sea denial operations to support the maritime campaign.

    In accordance with 3d MLR’s deployment model, the regimental headquarters and its subordinate battalions divided into task units and dispersed across the Hawaiian archipelago. This model, reflective of the EABO concept developed underneath Force Design, allows 3d MLR to maximize its mobility, minimize its signature, and cover a large area of operations.

    On Oahu, Marines with 3d MLR’s headquarters element conducted distributed command and control operations and executed a tactical displacement drill. On the Big Island of Hawaii, Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team participated in 3d MLR’s certification exercise while executing battalion-level live-fire ranges at Pohakuloa Training Area. Across the Hawaiian archipelago, 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion facilitated the logistical coordination and movement of personnel and equipment around the island chain. Other key players included 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, whose Air Control Battery conducted air space surveillance and passed relevant information to the Ground Based Air Defense Battery in support of air defense.

    “The MCCRE is a snapshot of a unit’s combat readiness,” said Maj. Gen. Christian F. Wortman, the commanding general of 3d Marine Division. “It gives us a clear picture of where commanders need to direct training efforts in order to ensure that the Marines are prepared to face any threat, any place, time now.”

    3d MLR’s MCCRE culminated with a 2-week field exercise – the first week focusing on staff planning and orders development and the second week being a scenario-based, tactical exercise. Evaluators observed as the formation operated against a living, breathing, and thinking “adversary force” played by the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division.
    As the scenario progressed, 25th ID sought to track, target, and destroy 3d MLR’s fighting capabilities.
    Scenario injects also incorporated representation from the Joint Force, with 3d MLR’s Fire Support Coordination Center conducting notional strikes alongside simulated U.S. Navy warships and the Intelligence Operations Center utilizing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data collected by a simulated MQ-9 Reaper from Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 3.

    “As the culminating event of an eight-month pre-deployment workup, the 3d MLR’s Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) was a litmus test on the effectiveness of our training. It validated our ability to deploy and be ready to support and integrate with the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), the Numbered Fleet, and the joint force and our allies,” said Lehane. “It also helped me, as a commander, identify areas where we could invest more training for our Marines and Sailors to ensure they are put in the best position of advantage possible. It was a genuinely fantastic exercise, and I am grateful to all that supported it. For the first time, it will allow our senior leaders to look their naval and joint counterparts in the eye, and tell them that this Regiment has been manned, trained, equipped and tested and is ready for competition, crisis or conflict.”

    3d Marine Littoral Regiment is a dedicated U.S. Marine Corps unit specializing in amphibious and littoral warfare operations. Stationed on Oahu, Hawaii, and deployed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, 3d MLR is committed to promoting regional security and stability through strategic partnerships and collaborative efforts with partner nations and Allies.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: HCI Group Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Fourth Quarter Pre-Tax Income of $5.9 million and Diluted EPS of $0.23
    Full Year 2024 Pre-Tax Income of $173.4 million and Diluted EPS of $8.89

    TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE:HCI) reported pre-tax income of $5.9 million and net income of $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Net income after noncontrolling interests was $2.6 million compared with $38.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $0.23 in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with $3.40 diluted earnings per share, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure which excludes net unrealized gains or losses on equity securities) for the fourth quarter of 2024 was $5.0 million, or $0.31 diluted earnings per share compared with adjusted net income of $38.8 million, or $3.22 diluted earnings per share, in the fourth quarter of 2023. This press release includes an explanation of adjusted net income as well as a reconciliation to net income and earnings per share calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (known as “GAAP”).

    Management Commentary
    “Even with the hurricanes in 2024, HCI Group is unwavering in its commitment to Florida and supporting our existing and new policyholders. As part of our ongoing efforts, we plan to keep rates flat for the foreseeable future,” said HCI Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel. “Given an increased level of catastrophe activity across the country, we are taking initial steps to make our best-in-class technology available to other carriers and in additional geographies.”

    Fourth Quarter 2024 Commentary
    Consolidated gross premiums earned in the fourth quarter increased by 38.0% to $297.5 million from $215.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 driven primarily by assumptions of policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

    Premiums ceded for reinsurance in the fourth quarter were $151.1 million compared with $66.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter included the reversal of $50.6 million of previously accrued benefits related to retrospective reinsurance provisions as a result of losses caused by Hurricane Milton.

    Net investment income in the fourth quarter was $14.5 million compared with $10.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income from cash, cash equivalents and available-for-sale fixed maturity securities.

    Losses and loss adjustment expenses in the fourth quarter were $110.7 million compared with $65.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. Loss expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 include a net loss of $78.0 million from Hurricane Milton, partially offset by $24.5 million of favorable development mostly related to the 2024 accident year.

    Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses in the fourth quarter were $27.7 million compared with $22.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

    General and administrative personnel expenses in the fourth quarter decreased to $10.2 million from $12.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. The decrease was attributable to lower stock-based compensation as well as higher reinsurance recoveries related to claims processing for Hurricane Milton.

    Full 2024 Results
    For the year ended December 31, 2024, the company reported pre-tax income of $173.4 million and net income of $127.6 million. Net income after noncontrolling interests was $110.0 million compared with $79.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Diluted earnings per share were $8.89 for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $7.62 diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2023.

    Adjusted net income (a non-GAAP measure which excludes net unrealized gains or losses on equity securities) for the twelve month period was $125.6 million, or $8.75 diluted earnings per share compared with adjusted net income of $86.8 million, or $7.41 diluted earnings per share in the same period of 2023. An explanation of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliations to the applicable GAAP numbers accompany this press release.

    Consolidated gross premiums earned for the twelve months of 2024 increased by 41.5% to $1,083.2 million from $765.5 million in 2023 driven primarily by growth in Florida due to assumptions of policies from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

    Premiums ceded for reinsurance for the twelve months of 2024 were $405.7 million compared with $269.6 million for the twelve months of 2023. The twelve months of 2024 included the reversal of $62.9 million of previously accrued benefits related to retrospective reinsurance provisions as a result of losses caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

    Net investment income for the twelve months of 2024 was $59.1 million compared with $46.2 million for the twelve months of 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in interest income from cash, cash equivalents, and available-for-sale fixed maturity securities, offset by a decrease in income from real estate investments.

    Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the twelve months of 2024 were $374.7 million compared with $254.6 million for the twelve months of 2023. Loss expense included $78.0 million from Hurricane Milton, $43.0 million from Hurricane Helene and $6.5 million from Hurricane Debby.

    Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses for the twelve months of 2024 were $99.4 million compared with $90.8 million for the twelve months of 2023.

    General and administrative personnel expenses for the twelve months of 2024 increased to $63.2 million from $53.9 million for the twelve months of 2023.

    Conference Call
    HCI Group will hold a conference call later today, February 27, 2025, to discuss these financial results. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paresh Patel, Chief Operating Officer Karin Coleman and Chief Financial Officer Mark Harmsworth will host the call starting at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time.

    Interested parties can listen to the live presentation by dialing the listen-only number below or by clicking the webcast link available on the Investor Information section of the company’s website at www.hcigroup.com.

    Listen-only toll-free number: (888) 506-0062
    Listen-only international number: (973) 528-0011
    Entry Code: 835158

    Please call the conference telephone number 10 minutes before the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Investor Relations at (949) 574-3860.

    A replay of the call will be available by telephone after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day as the call and via the Investor Information section of the HCI Group website at www.hcigroup.com through February 27, 2026.

    Toll-free replay number: (877) 481-4010
    International replay number: (919) 882-2331
    Replay ID: 51955

    About HCI Group, Inc.
    HCI Group, Inc. is a holding company with two distinct operating units. The first unit includes four top-performing insurance companies, a captive reinsurance company, and operations in claims management and real estate. The second unit, called Exzeo Group, is a leading innovator of insurance technology that utilizes advanced underwriting algorithms and data analytics. Exzeo empowers property and casualty insurers to transform underwriting outcomes and achieve industry-leading results.

    The company’s common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “HCI” and are included in the Russell 2000 and S&P SmallCap 600 Index. HCI Group, Inc. regularly publishes financial and other information in the Investor Information section of the company’s website. For more information about HCI Group and its subsidiaries, visit www.hcigroup.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “confident,” “prospects” and “project” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions, but rather are subject to various risks and uncertainties. For example, the estimation of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses is an inherently imprecise process involving many assumptions and considerable management judgment. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should any risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, these developments could have material adverse effects on the company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. HCI Group, Inc. disclaims all obligations to update any forward-looking statements.

    Company Contact:
    Bill Broomall, CFA
    Investor Relations
    HCI Group, Inc.
    Tel (813) 776-1012
    wbroomall@typtap.com

    Investor Relations Contact:
    Matt Glover
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    Tel (949) 574-3860
    HCI@gatewayir.com

    –    Tables to follow    –

     
    HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Selected Financial Metrics
    (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
      Q4 2024     Q4 2023     FY 2024     FY 2023  
      (Unaudited)                    
    Insurance Operations                      
    Gross Written Premiums:                      
    Homeowners Choice $ 145,085     $ 182,038     $ 593,943     $ 535,070  
    TypTap Insurance Company   174,980       138,482       491,413       363,552  
    Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange   14,435       –       81,411       –  
    Total Gross Written Premiums   334,500       320,520       1,166,767       898,622  
                           
    Gross Premiums Earned:                      
    Homeowners Choice   156,342       125,796       589,137       417,202  
    TypTap Insurance Company   123,807       89,394       442,876       348,310  
    Condo Owners Reciprocal Exchange   17,348       –       51,207       –  
    Total Gross Premiums Earned   297,497       215,190       1,083,220       765,512  
                           
    Gross Premiums Earned Loss Ratio   37.2 %     30.4 %     34.6 %     33.3 %
                           
    Per Share Metrics                      
    GAAP Diluted EPS $ 0.23     $ 3.40     $ 8.89     $ 7.62  
    Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS $ 0.31     $ 3.22     $ 6.33     $ 7.41  
                           
    Dividends per share $ 0.40     $ 0.40     $ 1.60     $ 1.60  
                           
    Book value per share at the end of period $ 42.10     $ 33.36     $ 42.10     $ 33.36  
                           
    Shares outstanding at the end of period   10,767,184       9,738,183       10,767,184       9,738,183  
                                   

       

    HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Balance Sheets  
    (Dollar amounts in thousands)
     
      December 31, 2024     December 31, 2023  
               
    Assets          
    Fixed-maturity securities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $719,536 and $387,687, respectively and allowance for credit losses: $0 and $0, respectively) $ 718,537     $ 383,238  
    Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $52,030 and $44,011, respectively)   56,200       45,537  
    Limited partnership investments   20,802       23,583  
    Real estate investments   79,120       67,893  
    Total investments   874,659       520,251  
               
    Cash and cash equivalents   532,471       536,478  
    Restricted cash   3,714       3,287  
    Receivable from maturities of fixed-maturity securities   —       91,085  
    Accrued interest and dividends receivable   6,008       3,507  
    Income taxes receivable   463       —  
    Deferred income taxes, net   72       512  
    Premiums receivable, net (allowance: $5,891 and $3,152, respectively)   50,582       38,037  
    Assumed premium receivable   —       19,954  
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums   92,060       86,232  
    Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance for credit losses:          
    Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses (allowance: $0 and $0, respectively)   36,062       19,690  
    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (allowance: $186 and $118, respectively)   522,379       330,604  
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   54,303       42,910  
    Property and equipment, net   29,544       29,251  
    Right-of-use-assets – operating leases   1,182       1,407  
    Intangible assets, net   5,206       7,659  
    Funds withheld for assumed business   11,690       30,087  
    Other assets   9,818       50,365  
               
    Total assets $ 2,230,213     $ 1,811,316  
               
    Liabilities and Equity          
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 845,900     $ 585,073  
    Unearned premiums   584,703       501,157  
    Advance premiums   18,867       15,895  
    Reinsurance payable on paid losses and loss adjustment expenses   2,496       3,145  
    Ceded reinsurance premiums payable   18,313       8,921  
    Assumed premiums payable   2,176       850  
    Accrued expenses   17,677       19,722  
    Income tax payable   5,451       7,702  
    Deferred income taxes, net   2,830       —  
    Revolving credit facility   44,000       —  
    Long-term debt   185,254       208,495  
    Lease liabilities – operating leases   1,185       1,408  
    Other liabilities   32,320       35,623  
               
    Total liabilities   1,761,172       1,387,991  
               
    Commitments and contingencies          
    Redeemable noncontrolling interest   1,691       96,160  
               
    Equity:          
    Common stock, (no par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 10,767,184 and 9,738,183 shares issued and outstanding in 2024 and 2023, respectively)   —       —  
    Additional paid-in capital   122,289       89,568  
    Retained income   331,793       238,438  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes   (749 )     (3,163 )
    Total stockholders’ equity   453,333       324,843  
    Noncontrolling interests   14,017       2,322  
    Total equity   467,350       327,165  
               
    Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest, and equity $ 2,230,213     $ 1,811,316  
                   
    HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (Unaudited)
    (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
      Three Months Ended     Years Ended  
      December 31,     December 31,  
      2024     2023     2024     2023  
                           
    Revenue                      
                           
    Gross premiums earned $ 297,497     $ 215,190     $ 1,083,220     $ 765,512  
    Premiums ceded   (151,146 )     (66,576 )     (405,659 )     (269,627 )
                           
    Net premiums earned   146,351       148,614       677,561       495,885  
                           
    Net investment income   14,486       10,341       59,148       46,234  
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   326       (410 )     3,384       (1,996 )
    Net unrealized investment (losses) gains   (1,181 )     2,830       2,644       3,215  
    Policy fee income   1,302       1,053       4,639       4,704  
    Other   591       242       2,675       2,628  
                           
    Total revenue   161,875       162,670       750,051       550,670  
                           
    Expenses                      
                           
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses   110,727       65,398       374,708       254,579  
    Policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses   27,707       22,716       99,402       90,822  
    General and administrative personnel expenses   10,231       12,230       63,152       53,868  
    Interest expense   3,322       2,822       13,344       11,117  
    Other operating expenses   3,997       5,344       26,018       22,634  
                           
    Total expenses   155,984       108,510       576,624       433,020  
                           
    Income before income taxes   5,891       54,160       173,427       117,650  
                           
    Income tax expense   1,757       13,248       45,846       28,393  
                           
    Net income $ 4,134     $ 40,912     $ 127,581     $ 89,257  
    Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests   —       (2,360 )     (10,149 )     (9,370 )
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,550 )     (457 )     (7,479 )     (853 )
                           
    Net income after noncontrolling interests $ 2,584     $ 38,095     $ 109,953     $ 79,034  
                           
    Basic earnings per share $ 0.24     $ 4.31     $ 10.59     $ 9.13  
                           
    Diluted earnings per share $ 0.23     $ 3.40     $ 8.89     $ 7.62  
                           
    Dividends per share $ 0.40     $ 0.40     $ 1.60     $ 1.60  
                                   
    HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
    A summary of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted earnings per common share calculated in accordance with GAAP is presented below.
     
      Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    GAAP December 31, 2024     December 31, 2024  
      Income     Shares (a)     Per Share     Income     Shares (a)     Per Share  
      (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
    Net income $ 4,134                 $ 127,581              
    Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   —                   (10,149 )            
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,550 )                 (7,479 )            
    Net income attributable to HCI   2,584                   109,953              
    Less: Income attributable to participating securities   (118 )                 (4,110 )            
    Basic Earnings Per Share:                                  
    Income allocated to common stockholders   2,466       10,143     $ 0.24       105,843       9,997     $ 10.59  
                                       
    Effect of Dilutive Securities: *                                  
    Stock options   —       323             —       294        
    Convertible senior notes   —       —             6,908       2,177        
    Warrants   —       143             —       218        
                                       
    Diluted Earnings Per Share:                                  
    Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions $ 2,466       10,609     $ 0.23     $ 112,751       12,686     $ 8.89  
                                       
    (a) Shares in thousands.  
    *For the three months ended December 31, 2024, convertible senior notes were excluded due to anti-dilutive effect.  
       

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    Adjusted net income is a Non-GAAP financial measure that removes from net income of HCI’s portion of the effect of unrealized gains or losses on equity securities required to be included in results of operations in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 321. HCI Group believes net income without the effect of volatility in equity prices more accurately depicts operating results. This financial measurement is not recognized in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance. A reconciliation of GAAP Net income to Non-GAAP Adjusted net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share to Non-GAAP Adjusted diluted earnings per share is provided below.

    Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income

      Three Months Ended
    		   Year Ended
      December 31, 2024
    		   December 31, 2024
    GAAP Net income         $ 4,134                 $ 127,581      
    Net unrealized investment losses (gains) $ 1,181                 $ (2,644 )            
    Less: Tax effect at 25.041% $ (296 )               $ 662              
    Net adjustment to Net income         $ 885                 $ (1,982 )    
    Non-GAAP Adjusted Net income         $ 5,019                 $ 125,599      
                                           
    HCI GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
     
    A summary of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per common share calculated with the Non-GAAP financial measure Adjusted net income is presented below.
       
      Three Months Ended     Year Ended  
    Non-GAAP December 31, 2024     December 31, 2024  
      Income     Shares (a)     Per Share     Income     Shares (a)     Per Share  
      (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
    Adjusted net income (non-GAAP) $ 5,019                 $ 125,599              
    Less: Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest   –                 $ (10,149 )            
    Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests   (1,550 )                 (7,281 )            
    Net income attributable to HCI   3,469                   108,169              
    Less: Income attributable to participating securities   (158 )                 (4,043 )            
                                       
    Basic Earnings Per Share before unrealized gains/losses on equity securities:                                  
    Income allocated to common stockholders   3,311       10,143     $ 0.33       104,126       9,997     $ 10.42  
                                       
    Effect of Dilutive Securities: *                                  
    Stock options   —       323             —       294        
    Convertible senior notes   —       —             6,908       2,177        
    Warrants   —       143             —       218        
                                       
    Diluted Earnings Per Share before unrealized gains/losses on equity securities:                                  
    Income available to common stockholders and assumed conversions $ 3,311       10,609     $ 0.31     $ 111,034       12,686     $ 8.75  
                                       
    (a) Shares in thousands.  
    *For the three months ended December 31, 2024, convertible senior notes were excluded due to anti-dilutive effect.  
       

    Reconciliation of GAAP Diluted EPS to Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS

      Three Months Ended
    		   Year Ended
      December 31, 2024
    		   December 31, 2024
    GAAP diluted Earnings Per Share       $ 0.23               $ 8.89      
    Net unrealized investment gains $ 0.10               $ (0.20 )          
    Less: Tax effect at 25.041% $ (0.02 )             $ 0.06            
    Net adjustment to GAAP diluted EPS         $ 0.08                 $ (0.14 )    
    Non-GAAP Adjusted diluted EPS         $ 0.31                 $ 8.75      

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Stifel Reports January 2025 Operating Data

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today reported selected operating results for January 31, 2025 in an effort to provide timely information to investors on certain key performance metrics. Due to the limited nature of this data, a consistent correlation to earnings should not be assumed.

    Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “In January, client assets under administration reached $510 billion and fee-based assets grew to $197 billion, marking a 14% and 18% increase year-on-year. This growth was driven by stronger markets and a solid recruiting pipeline. Additionally, client money market and insured products rose 7% from the same period last year but the expected seasonal decline in Sweep deposits resulted in a 4% decrease during January.”

    Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)
      As of   % Change
    (millions) 1/31/2025 1/31/2024 12/31/2024   1/31/2024 12/31/2024
    Total client assets $ 509,671   $ 446,724   $ 501,402       14 %   2 %
    Fee-based client assets $ 197,298   $ 166,682   $ 192,705       18 %   2 %
    Private Client Group fee-based client assets $ 172,468   $ 146,729   $ 168,206       18 %   3 %
    Bank loans, net (includes loans held for sale) $ 21,118   $ 19,525   $ 21,311       8 %   (1 )%
    Client money market and insured product (1) $ 27,936   $ 26,144   $ 29,029       7 %   (4 )%
                                     

    (1) Includes Smart Rate deposits, Sweep deposits, Third-party Bank Sweep Program, and Other Sweep cash.

    Company Information

    Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners and Miller Buckfire business divisions; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC; in Canada through Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc.; and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A. and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A. offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

    Media Contact: Neil Shapiro (212) 271-3447 | Investor Contact: Joel Jeffrey (212) 271-3610 | www.stifel.com/investor-relations

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Royalty Pharma to Present at TD Cowen’s 45th Annual Health Care Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Royalty Pharma plc (Nasdaq: RPRX) today announced that it will participate in a fireside chat at TD Cowen’s 45th Annual Health Care Conference on March 4, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

    The webcast will be accessible from Royalty Pharma’s “Events” page at https://www.royaltypharma.com/investors/events/. The webcast will also be archived for a minimum of thirty days.

    About Royalty Pharma

    Founded in 1996, Royalty Pharma is the largest buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a leading funder of innovation across the biopharmaceutical industry, collaborating with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and non-profits through small and mid-cap biotechnology companies to leading global pharmaceutical companies. Royalty Pharma has assembled a portfolio of royalties which entitles it to payments based directly on the top-line sales of many of the industry’s leading therapies. Royalty Pharma funds innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry both directly and indirectly – directly when it partners with companies to co-fund late-stage clinical trials and new product launches in exchange for future royalties, and indirectly when it acquires existing royalties from the original innovators. Royalty Pharma’s current portfolio includes royalties on more than 35 commercial products, including Vertex’s Trikafta, GSK’s Trelegy, Roche’s Evrysdi, Johnson & Johnson’s Tremfya, Biogen’s Tysabri and Spinraza, AbbVie and Johnson & Johnson’s Imbruvica, Astellas and Pfizer’s Xtandi, Novartis’ Promacta, Pfizer’s Nurtec ODT and Gilead’s Trodelvy, and 15 development-stage product candidates. For more information, visit www.royaltypharma.com.   

    Royalty Pharma Investor Relations and Communications

    +1 (212) 883-6637
    ir@royaltypharma.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Enhance 9-1-1 Emergency Response System

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    The legislation would ensure Americans reach help when dialing 9-1-1 during natural disasters and make important updates to the classification of 9-1-1 dispatchers

    WASHINGTON – Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Enhancing First Response Act, which would make important updates to our 9-1-1 emergency reporting system to ensure Americans can reach help when they dial 9-1-1 during natural disasters. The legislation will also ensure 9-1-1 dispatchers are recognized as protective service workers to ensure their job classification appropriately recognizes the lifesaving nature of their work. This legislation is also co-sponsored by Senators Blackburn, Heinrich, Sullivan, Lujan, Capito, Markey, Budd, King, Thune, and Kelly.

    This bill has two companion bills in the House, the 911 SAVES Act led by Representative Norma Torres (D-CA), and the Emergency Reporting Act led by Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA).

    “During natural disasters, Americans need reliable communications networks, especially 9-1-1. Our bipartisan legislation will save lives by ensuring Americans are able to connect to 9-1-1 during major disasters and improving the resiliency of our 9-1-1 system against outages and disruptions,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation also recognizes 9-1-1 dispatchers for their critical roles during times of crisis by ensuring they are classified as the first responders that they are.” 

    “Ensuring Americans can reach help when they dial 9-1-1 during natural disasters is paramount,” said Blackburn. “The Emergency Reporting Act takes necessary steps to prevent 9-1-1 service disruptions, properly recognize dispatchers for their lifesaving work, and further study how we can make improvements to the 9-1-1 emergency response system.”

    This legislation is endorsed by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the largest organization of public safety communications professionals, and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), which promotes the implementation and awareness of 9-1-1.

    “The Enhancing First Response Act represents a comprehensive effort to enhance public safety communications and support the dedicated professionals who operate our nation’s 9-1-1 systems,” said APCO International CEO & Executive Director Mel Maier. “Addressing the federal classification of 9-1-1 professionals, strengthening resilience and situational awareness during outages, and advancing MLTS 9-1-1 call capabilities are all critical steps forward. APCO appreciates the leadership of Senators Klobuchar and Blackburn in championing these issues.”

    “Recognizing the essential, life-saving work of 9-1-1 professionals is long overdue,” said NENA CEO Brian Fontes. “Since the first 9-1-1 call was placed in 1968, the job of 9-1-1 telecommunicators has substantially become more technical, specialized, and important to the immediate health, safety, and security of our communities. They are the first first responders, and they deserve to be classified in the same category as their law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical counterparts. We deeply appreciate Senators Klobuchar and Blackburn for their steadfast, bipartisan commitment to 9-1-1 and public safety.”

    Specifically, the Enhancing First Response Act would:

    • Require the FCC to issue a report after major natural disasters on the extent to which people were unable to reach 9-1-1 during the disaster and subsequent recovery efforts, and make recommendations to improve the resiliency of 9-1-1 systems to prevent future service disruptions;
    • Require the FCC to study the unreported 9-1-1 outages and develop recommendations to improve outage reporting and communication between mobile carriers experiencing network outages and 9-1-1 centers;
    • Update the classification of 9-1-1 dispatchers from clerical workers to protective service workers in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to better reflect the life-saving work they perform each day. The SOC is a tool used by federal agencies to classify the workforce into useful, occupational categories;
    • Require the FCC to report on the extent to which multi-line telephone system manufacturers and vendors have complied with Kari’s Law, which Senator Klobuchar worked to pass into law in 2018 and requires the manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without dialing a prefix or postfix.

    Klobuchar has long advocated for improving the 9-1-1 system. In 2018, Kari’s Law, bipartisan legislation led by Klobuchar and Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), was signed into law. It requires the manufacturers of multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) to create systems that allow callers to reach 9-1-1 without dialing a prefix or postfix and on-site notification to make it easier for first responders to locate 9-1-1 callers in large buildings. Klobuchar and former Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) first introduced the Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services (911 SAVES) Act in 2019, and the Emergency Reporting Act in 2020.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterville Woman Sentenced to 3+ Years for Directing Another to Illegally Purchase a Firearm for Her

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for aiding and abetting another individual in making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

    U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Nikeshia Knight, 25, to 37 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Knight pleaded guilty on October 30, 2024.

    According to court records, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) obtained a copy of an ATF Form 4473 regarding a June 16, 2022 firearm purchase from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Fairfield, Maine. Further investigation revealed Knight was involved in this purchase. When interviewed, Knight admitted that she had used a straw purchaser to acquire the firearm because she would not pass a background check, providing money for the purchase and fentanyl after it was successfully made. Text messages between Knight and the proxy purchaser confirmed that Knight directed the purchase. 
    Jason Palmer, 44, of Albion was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for making the straw purchase.

    ATF investigated the case.

    STRAW PURCHASING: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clay County Man Sentenced To 27 Months In Federal Prison On Firearm Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, Florida –Senior United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Jackson Richard Perint (28, Clay County) to two years and three months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Perint was also ordered to forfeit a SCCY Industries 9mm pistol and ammunition traceable to the offense. Perint was arrested on April 3, 2024, and released. He violated the conditions of his release and was ordered detained on August 15, 2024. 

    According to court documents and proceedings, on August 8, 2023, a detective with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic’s Unit, acting in an online undercover capacity, arranged a drug transaction with Perint. The next day, Perint arrived by car to a predetermined location. Based on a prior suspension of Perint’s driver license, deputies conducted a traffic stop of his car. During a subsequent search of the car, deputies located a 9mm pistol loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition between the driver’s seat and the center console.

    At the time of the offense, Perint had nine previous felony convictions, including possession of a weapon by a convicted felon (2021, 2022). As a convicted felon, Perint is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.   

    This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Jacksonville Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.

    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. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Opening ceremony kicks off 44th iteration of Cobra Gold

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    The opening ceremony marks the 44th iteration of Cobra Gold, which started in 1982 and is the largest exercise in mainland Asia. This year, more than 3,200 U.S. service members are participating in the exercise, where they will be working side by side with allies and partners to participate in joint training, multinational engagements, and humanitarian projects.

    “We share a goal in this region: to prevent war by remaining ready together,” said Gen. Ronald P. Clark, the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific. “Preventing war requires many thanks, so thank you to Thailand for putting in the effort this year for the 44th annual Cobra Gold Exercise.” 

    CG25 has evolved over the years to incorporate more facets. Still, each exercise has been designed to strengthen the capabilities of participating nations to plan and conduct combined and joint operations, as well as build relationships among those nations. 

    “Cobra Gold is about our partnerships,” Clark said. “Partnerships that are long-term and require investment.”

    This year, CG25 will focus on three primary events: a command and control exercise, humanitarian civic assistance projects, and a field training exercise. Approximately 30 nations will participate either directly or as observers throughout CG25.

    “Cobra Gold is the longest-running international military exercise in the world,” said Robert F. Godec, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand. “It affirms the enduring Thai and U.S. security partnership and is a pillar of our commitment to the region. Cobra Gold helps build interoperability, advances our common interests, and is a concrete demonstration of our ongoing promise to our allies and partners to work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

    The continued commitment to Cobra Gold and exercises like it demonstrates the dedication of all nations involved to build long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationships, which enhances capabilities across all partnership forces.

    “Putting the work in to rehearse our ability to work together and train together never stops,” Clark said. “We see our increased ability to work together for our collective security and sovereignty, and in every Cobra Gold, we better understand each other’s capabilities and build upon our collective partnerships.”

    This year’s iteration of Cobra Gold will conclude on March 7, but the nations involved will continue to build lasting partnerships through other joint, multinational exercises and future iterations of Cobra Gold.

    “Cobra Gold will continue to help us strengthen our land power network, our partnerships built on trust that demonstrate our interoperability, and multiple new capabilities during this exercise,” said Clark.

    “The benefits of Cobra Gold have been demonstrated time and again over the years,” Godec said. “Cobra Gold prepares us for future multi-national crisis responses to new and emerging challenges, and in the last 20 years, the 30 nations represented…have put the joint training to operational use in responding to disasters and life-threatening crisis. To tsunamis, earthquakes, typhoons, and in non-combatant evacuation operations, we have put the lessons of Cobra Gold to work. In doing so, we have saved lives and helped countless people in this region.”

    MIL Security OSI –