NewzIntel.com

Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Deputy Secretary General visits Estonia

    Source: NATO

    On Friday (16 May), NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska travelled to Estonia.

    She began at the Ämari Airbase, from where the Portuguese Air Force currently helps secure the skies as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.  The Deputy Secretary General was also briefed on the ongoing multinational exercise Hedgehog/Siil. Led by Estonia, the exercise brings together over 18,000 Estonian military personnel and forces from eleven Allied countries, including NATO’s multinational presence in Estonia.  

    At the Lennart Meri Conference later in the day, the Deputy Secretary General outlined NATO’s priorities for the upcoming Summit in The Hague.  She discussed the ways to strengthen deterrence and defence in the face of global security challenges, emphasising the importance of increasing defence spending and defence production. She also discussed NATO’s support to Ukraine.
    Mrs. Shekerinska also visited the Regional Hub of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), where start-ups work to adapt their innovative technologies to defence, in areas such as sensing and surveillance, energy, and critical infrastructure.

    The Deputy Secretary General met the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Margus Tsahkna, and the Minister of Defence, Mr Hanno Pevkur.  She thanked Estonia for its exemplary commitment to investing in defence, support for Ukraine, as well as for its contributions to defence innovation and cyber defence.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former New York City Police Officer Sentenced to 23 Years’ Imprisonment for Sexually Exploiting Minors Online

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Targeted Minors on Twitter and Convinced Them in Chats to Send Him Sexually Explicit Photos and Videos of Themselves

    Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Carmine Simpson was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 23 years in prison for sexually exploiting minors online.  On March 24, 2023, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of sexually exploiting a minor.  The charges stem from Simpson’s extensive online conduct in 2020, while he was a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, which includes engaging numerous children in sexual conversations, enticing and manipulating them into sending him nude images and videos, routinely requesting them to engage in live chat sessions on FaceTime and Snapchat, directing them to physically harm themselves, and asking them to write degrading sexual phrases on their nude bodies.  Simpson resigned from the NYPD in 2022.

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

    “The defendant’s repeated sexual solicitation and exploitation of minors is reprehensible,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “That he was a law enforcement officer at the time he committed these crimes makes his conduct even more horrific.  My Office will continue to work to protect vulnerable children from predators like the defendant.”

    “Carmine Simpson betrayed his badge by preying upon minors for twisted sexual gratification. Simpson repeatedly prowled online for minor victims before coercing them to provide sexually explicit and degrading content,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “The FBI will never tolerate any individual who exploits children, especially those with sworn duties to protect them.”

    Simpson, then a police officer with the NYPD, targeted vulnerable children on Twitter for the purpose of having them create and send him sexually exploitative photos and videos of themselves.  Simpson had multiple Twitter profiles and pretended to be a 17-year-old boy to entice minors into engaging with him, even using a filter to alter his own appearance so that he looked younger.  Simpson then communicated with numerous minors, including some as young as 13-years-old.

    Law enforcement first learned about the defendant’s conduct in December 2020, after the mother of John Doe 2, a 13-year-old transgender male, filed a police report after finding chat communications with the defendant on her child’s computer.  In those messages, the defendant stated, “Do you take good nudes?” and “You take good nudes? Prove it.”  He gave instructions to write words on the victim’s body with a marker and commented: “How many words do you think we can add to your body?”  As part of that conversation, John Doe 2 sent the defendant at least two sexually explicit videos.   

    This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorney Megan E. Farrell is in charge of the prosecution.

    The Defendant:

    CARMINE SIMPSON
    Age: 30
    Holbrook, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-97 (GRB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three MS-13 Members Charged in Federal Complaints Alleging They Murdered Cooperating Defendant in Racketeering Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Three members of the Mara Salvatrucha-13 (MS-13) transnational street gang – one of them an illegal alien from El Salvador – have been charged in federal criminal complaints with murdering a former MS-13 member earlier this year who was cooperating with law enforcement on a federal racketeering and methamphetamine trafficking case, the Justice Department announced today.

    Dennis Anaya Urias, 26, of South Los Angeles, and Grevil Zelaya Santiago, 25, of South Los Angeles, are charged via federal complaint with murder in aid of racketeering, a felony that carries a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison and a possible death sentence.

    Roberto Carlos Aguilar, 30, of South Los Angeles, is charged in a separate federal criminal complaint with murder in aid of racketeering. Aguilar is an illegal alien from El Salvador. Urias is a legal permanent resident, and Santiago has a pending visa application.

    All three defendants made their initial appearances late Thursday in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. A federal magistrate judge ordered them jailed without bond and scheduled their arraignments for June 3.

    According to affidavits filed with the complaints, Urias and Santiago shot the victim to death at a grocery store in South Los Angeles on February 18. The victim’s status as a government cooperator was well known by MS-13 and made the victim subject to a “green light” order that made him a target for murder by MS-13 members.

    Approximately one hour before the victim’s death, he had what appeared to be a chance encounter with Aguilar inside the grocery store. Following that encounter, Aguilar set in motion a series of events that led to Urias and Santiago shooting and killing the victim.

    During the evening of February 18, the victim made two telephone calls to authorities and said he was at a grocery store in South Los Angeles where MS-13 members had just tried to kill him. He said he had been talking with MS-13 members when a man whose face was covered approached and tried to shoot him, but the gun did not fire. At one point during the second telephone call, several gunshots were heard.

    By murdering the victim, Aguilar, Urias and Santiago either avoided discipline or enhanced their status within MS-13, according to court documents.

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

    The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department are investigating these matters.

    Assistant United States Attorney Shawn T. Andrews of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting these cases.

    These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dominican National Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Dominican national, residing in Lawrence, was sentenced on May 13, 2025 in federal court in Boston for his role in a fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

    Juan Anibal Patrone Gonzalez, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant is also subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In February 2025, Patrone Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute four hundred grams or more of fentanyl.

    Co-defendant San Geronimo Santana Amador, a Dominican national who does not have legal status in the United States, was released on conditions following his arrest. He subsequently failed to appear and remains a wanted fugitive.

    In 2018, Patrone Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl in the District of Massachusetts. In May 2019, Patrone Gonzalez was sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Patrone Gonzalez was in federal prison in Miami, Fla., serving his federal sentence at the time that he committed this offense.  
        
    On or about Dec. 21, 2022, a cooperating witness (CW) communicated with Patrone Gonzalez’s alleged co-conspirator Santana Amador to discuss supplying the CW with narcotics. During conversations between Santana Amador and the CW, Santana Amador allegedly stated that his source of supply was “detained” and provided a phone number for his supplier. Santana Amador’s supplier was later identified as Patrone Gonzalez who, using a contraband telephone while incarcerated, coordinated the sale of one kilogram of fentanyl to the CW. Recorded calls captured Patrone Gonzalez discussing the price of the fentanyl, among other things, with the CW. On Dec. 29, 2022, Santana Amador met with the CW and provided them with the kilogram of fentanyl on partial credit. Following this purchase, additional payments were made to Santana Amador on various dates for the kilogram of fentanyl, including dates in January and February 2023. In 2023, the contraband phone that Patrone Gonzalez used to communicate with the CW was found in his jail cell.

    United States Attorney Leah Foley; Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey Noble of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office; and the Waltham, Watertown, Reading, Peabody, Hudson and Concord Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Mackenzie Duane and Samuel Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Additional Kentucky Counties Designated Under Amended Presidential Disaster Declaration

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – In response to an amended Presidential disaster declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses, nonprofits and residents in additional Kentucky counties affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring Apr. 2.

    The amended declaration covers the newly designated counties of Breckinridge, Bullitt, Calloway, Daviess, Garrard, Grayson, Hancock, Hart, Henderson, Henry, Jefferson, LaRue, Lincoln, McLean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Ohio, Oldham, Pendleton, Powell, Trimble, Warren and Webster, in Kentucky, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA. SBA EIDLs are also now available to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the adjacent counties of Allen, Barren, Campbell, Casey, Crittenden, Green, Harrison, Kenton, Lee, Marion, Menifee, Metcalfe, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Simpson, Taylor, Union and Wolfe in Kentucky, Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Perry, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick in Indiana, as well as Clermont in Ohio.  

    SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

    The BRC’s hours of operation are listed below.

    Business Recovery Center (BRC)

    Hardin County

    KY State Police #4 Building G

    954 Cameron Ponder Drive

    Elizabethtown, KY 42701

    Hours:   Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                   Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

    Business Recovery Center (BRC)

    Hopkins County

    Hopkins County EMA

    130 N Franklin St.

    Madisonville, KY 42431

    Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                   Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

    Business Recovery Center (BRC)

    McCracken County

    McCracken County Rescue Vehicle Building Entrance

    3700 Coleman Road

    Paducah, KY 42001

    Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

                   Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.  

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.  

    “One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

    SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.62% for PNPs, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is June 23, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Jan. 26, 2026.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Illuminated Landmarks to Recognize National Police Week

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced 15 State landmarks will be illuminated blue on the evening of May 16 in recognition of National Police Week, which runs from May 11, 2025 through May 17, 2025.

    “Our police officers are heroes, putting their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers safe from harm,” Governor Hochul said. “On National Police Week, we recognize their immense courage and their commitment to serving their communities — stepping up when disaster strikes, protecting our loved ones and walking bravely into the unknown in service of our safety. To all of our officers: Thank you.”

    Recognized every May, National Police Week honors the law enforcement community, with a special recognition of fallen officers and their surviving families from law enforcement agencies from across the nation.

    The following landmarks will be illuminated blue tonight:

    • 1 World Trade Center
    • Albany International Airport Gateway
    • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
    • Empire State Plaza
    • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
    • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
    • Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct
    • Kosciuszko Bridge
    • Moynihan Train Hall
    • Niagara Falls
    • State Education Building
    • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
    • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
    • The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
    • Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

    New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “During National Police Week, we gather to honor the memory of our brothers and sisters who gave their lives to protect ours. These individuals had that extra something in their character that made them willingly put others before themselves and are the true definition of heroes. The lighting of landmarks pays homage to the courage, bravery, and selflessness that they displayed and what we honor this week.”

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “During National Police Week, we honor the bravery, service, and sacrifice of the law enforcement professionals who work tirelessly to protect our communities. We are grateful for their unwavering dedication and proud of the strong partnerships we’ve built to make New York safer for all.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: YORK COUNTY – Shapiro Administration Reinforces Rider Safety Through Life-Saving Training and Education as Part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    May 19, 2025 – Manchester, PA

    ADVISORY – YORK COUNTY – Shapiro Administration Reinforces Rider Safety Through Life-Saving Training and Education as Part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

    As part of Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to saving lives and keeping Pennsylvania’s roads safe, the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation, Education, and Insurance, the Pennsylvania State Police and safety advocates will join forces at Northeastern High School in Manchester to highlight efforts to improve motorcycle safety and promote rider training for all ages.

    WHO:
    Mike Carroll, Secretary, PennDOT
    Kara Templeton, Deputy Secretary, PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services
    Major Robert Krol, Director of the Bureau of Patrol, Pennsylvania State Police
    Amy Lena, Deputy Secretary of Secondary and Elementary Education, PA Department of Education
    Shannen Logue, Commissioner for Product Regulation, Pennsylvania Insurance Commission
    Dr. Jason R. Bottiglieri, Superintendent, Northeastern School District

    WHEN:
    Monday, May 19 at 11:00 AM

    WHERE:
    300 High Street, Manchester, PA 17345

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Police Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    Q: What is National Police Week?
    A: Since 1962, U.S. presidents have proclaimed the second week of May as National Police Week to pay tribute to the men and women who put on the badge to serve and protect their community. As Americans go about their daily lives, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect life and property from crime and violence. President John F. Kennedy named May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor law enforcement officials who lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty. These are the men and women who run towards danger in the discharge of their vocation to keep the peace, protect innocent lives and enforce the laws to uphold a just and orderly society. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to take for granted the hardworking men and women standing on the thin blue line separating law-abiding citizens and criminals. National Police Week is a good opportunity for neighbors to thank local law enforcement officers for their around-the-clock efforts. When they leave their homes, they’re on the job to serve and protect the public, from enforcing traffic laws to investigating crime, catching criminals who shoplift, peddle drugs, commit violence and put innocent people in harm’s way. For those who have laid down their lives in the line of duty, we must never forget their ultimate sacrifice and ensure benefits are protected for their families. That includes federal law enforcement officials investigating transnational criminal rings and tracking down laundered money and human trafficking. It includes local police officers on our streets and in our schools who respond to 9-1-1 calls around-the-clock, year-round. Law-abiding citizens owe the men and women in blue a debt of gratitude for working to enforce law and order that keep our communities a safe place to buy a home and open a business. Two years after surviving an assassination attempt in 1981, President Ronald Reagan spoke to a memorial service for 13 fallen federal law enforcement officers. “It’s wisely said that nothing comes cheaply or easily. And the price of a free nation is sometimes counted in the dearest currency: human life.” Assaults on police officers are an assault against society that the men and women in blue have solemnly sworn to protect. For those who have answered the call to this noble vocation, we salute you and thank you for your courage, service and pursuit of justice.
    Q: What is the annual Roll Call during Police Week?
    A: During National Police Week, a roll call of names is released to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during the previous year. In 2025, this list includes 234 precious names, including two fallen officers from Iowa: Trooper Jeffrey Brown and Senior Police Officer Tran Phoukham. The annual celebration in the nation’s capital also includes a candlelight vigil to honor the fallen at the National Law Enforcement Memorial. Officers from around the country participate to honor the fallen officers and walk the pathways where the names of the fallen heroes are engraved on the walls.
    As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I helped steer eight bipartisan bills out of committee during National Police Week. I’ll continue pushing to get these pro-police bills to the president’s desk. These bills are written to help ensure law enforcement have the resources to do their jobs, protect benefits for families of fallen officers and improve law enforcement recruitment and retention.
    Whenever I see a police officer in uniform, I make a point to thank them for their service and make clear that I’m not for defunding the police. I back the blue because these men and women know that when they put on the badge and report for duty, they put their lives on the thin blue line to keep the peace.
    Sen. Grassley’s bipartisan resolution recognizing National Police Week, May  12-17, 2025 unanimously passed the U.S. Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Cornyn host Law Enforcement Caucus event during Police Week highlighting de-escalation tactics in policing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), co-chairs of the bipartisan Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, hosted an event this week focused on how law enforcement agencies are adopting new approaches to de-escalation and training tactics to resolve high-risk conflict situations with minimal force. The event occurred during National Police Week, which started on May 11 and runs through May 17.

    “Police week is a critical opportunity to honor the sacrifices and bravery of local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said Senator Coons. “Effective de-escalation tactics keep officers and the public safe while building trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve. I was proud to join my colleague, Senator Cornyn, to convene this panel, including Delaware’s own Lt. Bill Harris of Delaware State Police, to talk about de-escalation tactics and hear directly from law enforcement about the tools and resources they need to keep doing their jobs effectively and safely.” 

    “During National Police Week, we honor the dedication and heroism of our police officers and remember those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Senator Cornyn. “These heroes in Texas and across the nation risk their lives daily to keep our communities safe, and we must give them the necessary tools so officers feel supported while helping those experiencing mental health emergencies and other crises. I am proud to represent a state that strongly backs the blue, and I will continue advocating for the needs of police throughout the Lone Star State.”

    The event featured a moderated panel discussion with police leaders, researchers, and advocates on how new de-escalation techniques are reducing harm for officers, civilians, and public bystanders alike. Participants included Lieutenant Bill Harris of the Delaware State Police, who represented the National Fusion Center Association, and Sheriff Bill Waybourn of Tarrant County, Texas, representing the Major County Sheriffs of America. Both Delaware and Texas law enforcement agencies have been national leaders in embracing new tactics to de-escalate high-risk situations.

    Senators Coons and Cornyn are Co-Chairs of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKPF holds SafeCity Ambassadors Appointment and Recognition Ceremony 2025 today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB) of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held the SafeCity Ambassadors Appointment and Recognition Ceremony 2025 today (May 16) to appoint a new batch of “SafeCity Ambassadors”, who are joining hands with the HKPF to enhance crime prevention, and to commend the organisations which have actively disseminated anti-crime messages over the past year.
          
         In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the Force strives to establish partnership with the community to maintain social stability. With the concerted efforts of the HKPF and the public, the overall law and order situation improved further in the first quarter of 2025. There were a total of 20 756 crimes, a year-on-year decrease of 3 per cent. Leaving deception cases aside, the overall crime figure registered a drop of 1 160 cases or more than 9 per cent. The numbers of most traditional crimes declined significantly, with those of robbery and burglary cases falling by around 20 per cent respectively and that of violent crimes reducing by over 10 per cent. The number of deception cases in Hong Kong had increased by 5.8 per cent to 9 487 in the first quarter amid a continued rise in online crimes and fraud cases globally.
          
         Mr Chow added that the Force will embrace changes while staying innovative and flexible in meeting challenges. He hoped that all sectors of the community would work in close collaboration to promote crime detection and prevention, and that the Police and the public would work hand in hand to cope with changes.
          
         At the ceremony, the Police appointed the representatives of 19 organisations and groups as “SafeCity Ambassadors”. Together with 83 representatives appointed in the past two years, they will share good practices in crime prevention with the public, encourage community-wide participation in crime prevention, and establish a crime prevention culture, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Force to spread messages against crime. Representatives of 10 organisations were presented with the “Crime Alerts Network Outstanding Contribution Award” in appreciation of their efforts in promoting crime prevention.
          
         Furthermore, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) was recognised with the accolade of “SafeCity Crime Prevention Partner” for actively responding to the call for publicity. Over the past year, the HA has disseminated the latest crime prevention information to public housing residents through various channels.
          
         The “Timeline” exhibition in the venue showcased valuable historical information and pictures, offering a review of the Force’s crime prevention strategies since its establishment in 1844, especially the achievements in Police-public co-operation in keeping pace with the times and meeting challenges in full strength.
          
         Since its launch in 2023, the SafeCity.HK website of the CPB received more than 12 million hits. A hyperlink of the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit‘s website has been added to raise public awareness of counter-terrorism and safety. The “Crime Alerts Network”, established by the HKPF in 2022, delivers crime alerts promptly via instant messaging platform to a wide range of working partners, including principals, parents, social workers and various private organisations. The network has now registered over 3.2 million recipients for the weekly crime prevention update.
          
         Other officiating guests of the ceremony included the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Yip Wan-lung; the Acting Director of Crime and Security, Ms Chung Wing-man; the Chief Superintendent of Police (Crime Support), Ms Yu Hoi-kwan; and the Chairpersons of District Fight Crime Committees.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Cybersecurity & Diverse Innovation Symposium 2025 successfully concludes (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Cybersecurity & Diverse Innovation Symposium 2025 successfully concludes Issued at HKT 19:00

    Jointly organised by the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO), the Cybersecurity & Diverse Innovation Symposium 2025 was held today (May 16) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Symposium explored various topics, including the latest cybersecurity challenges, cross-sector collaboration, and innovation-driven defense strategies.

    Addressing the opening ceremony of the Symposium, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that as digitisation of society is advancing continuously, cybersecurity has become an integral part of national security, social stability and economic development.

    He pointed out that cybersecurity has never been a task that can be accomplished by the Police alone, it requires the establishment of a truly diverse, open and resilient cybersecurity ecosystem.  Mr Chow added that he believes with collective efforts, Hong Kong will be able to defend against current cyber threats, as well as enhance safety and build trust through innovation and collaboration, enabling citizens to enjoy the conveniences of smart living with greater peace of mind.

    The Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Ms Lillian Cheong, emphasised that the Government will continue to organise large-scale cybersecurity attack and defence drills, along with a variety of activities and training programmes, to further bolster Hong Kong’s cybersecurity resilience. These efforts aim to provide a robust safeguard for the development of innovation and technology (I&T), as well as various trades and industries. Cybersecurity will serve as core driving force in advancing I&T and digital economy.

    The Symposium gathered over 30 speakers and guests, including experts and decision-makers from the Government, finance, telecommunications, public healthcare, I&T, and academia sectors, and was attended by more than 600 cybersecurity experts and industry leaders from different sectors.

    The Symposium included 11 keynote speeches and six panel discussions, covering a wide range of topics such as artificial intelligence governance, supply chain security, challenges in trusted platform deployment, and emerging cyber threats, demonstrating practical outcomes and outlook through cross-sector collaboration. The Symposium also discussed the opportunities and challenges encountered by Hong Kong in digital transformation and cybersecurity from multiple angles, as well as strategies to balance technological innovation with cybersecurity resilience.

    Professionals from various sectors also established connections and shared practical experiences through different activities, further facilitating the integration of resources and collaborative innovation.

    The HKPF and the DPO reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders, fostering a sustainable, forward-thinking, and resilient cybersecurity framework across the community, and laying the foundation for Hong Kong to become an innovative and secure international digital city.

    Ends/Friday, May 16, 2025
    Issued at HKT 19:00

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New York City arrests Venezuelan alien, member of South American theft group

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    NEW YORK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement New York City and its federal partners arrested Venezuelan national Edison Guillermo Pinto-Padron, a 26-year-old criminal alien and member of a transnational organized criminal enterprise known as a South American theft group May 14.

    “ICE places a high priority on identifying, arresting and removing transnational criminal gang members from the United States,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director Bryan Flanagan. “ICE always stands ready to work with our law enforcement partners without condition. However, when officials refuse to honor detainers based on personal beliefs rather than public safety considerations, they are making conscious decisions to put their communities at risk.”

    On July 26, 2023, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered and arrested Pinto near El Paso, Texas, after he illegally entered the United States. Border Patrol officials issued him a notice to appear and released him into the U.S. on an order of recognizance.

    The Leesburg Police Department in Virginia arrested Pinto, Sept. 1, 2024, for the offenses of grand larceny, possession of burglarious tool, and contribute to the delinquency of a child. ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Pinto’s release with the Loudoun County Jail the next day. However, the agency failed to honor the detainer when they released Pinto without notifying ICE. ICE New York city subsequently learned Pinto was a member of a South American theft group. The Loudoun County Circuit Court convicted Pinto for grand larceny Dec. 12, 2024, and sentenced him to a two-year suspended sentence and two years of probation.

    ICE New York City arrested Pinto May 14 in Manhattan, pursuant to a warrant of arrest. Pinto is detained in ICE custody, without bond, pending his removal proceedings.

    Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @ERONewYork.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Boston removes Colombian alien charged with assault during home invasion, violating protective order

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HARTFORD, Conn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed an illegally present Colombian alien charged with assault, assault during a home invasion, breach of peace, violation of a protective order and risk of injury to a child. Officers with ICE Boston removed Kevin Esneider Garcia-Rojas, 26, from the United States to Colombia April 24.

    “Kevin Esneider Garcia-Rojas apparently ignored a protective order and assaulted a Connecticut resident during a home invasion,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde. “He illegally entered the United States in 2023 and was arrested by local authorities less than nine months later for purportedly assaulting a member of our New England community. ICE Boston will not tolerate such threats to our neighbors. We will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing alien offenders from our streets.”

    U.S. Border Patrol arrested Garcia-Rojas Jan. 28, 2023, after he illegally entered the United States near El Paso, Texas. Hartford Police arrested Garcia-Rojas Oct. 13, 2023, for disorderly conduct and assault. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released from custody. Hartford Police again arrested him Nov. 8, 2023, for assault, assault on home invasion, breach of peace, violation of protective order and risk injury to child. He posted a $100,000 bond and was released from custody.

    On Jan. 2, 2024, ICE Boston served Garcia-Rojas a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge. Officers with ICE Boston arrested Garcia-Rojas Jan. 28 and served him with a warrant for arrest of an alien and a notice of custody determination.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our communities on X at @EROBoston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two arrested following the deaths of two kittens in Ruislip.

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met officers have carried out two arrests following the deaths of two kittens in Ruislip.

    An appeal was published yesterday (Thursday, 15 May) in relation to the incident in Ickenham Road on Saturday, 3 May.

    Following information provided to the Met, officers arrested two teenagers on Friday, 16 May on suspicion of animal cruelty. They remain in custody.

    We recognise the distress this incident has caused in the area and we thank the community for sharing information with us.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force Apprehends 7 Homicide Suspects in 10 Days in Austin Division

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force continued their work of removing violent criminals from the greater Austin area by apprehending seven murder suspects in a 10-day time span from May 6-15.

    The Austin Police Department Homicide Unit requested assistance from the LSFTF to locate and apprehend six suspects sought on charges of murder and capital murder.

    A juvenile suspect sought for capital murder was arrested May 6 in the 2500 block of South Congress Avenue for a homicide that occurred March 9 in the 2300 block of Douglas Street. 

    Jalen Hemphill, aka, “Jay”, 21, of Jarrell was arrested May 7 in the 10400 block of Burnet Road in Austin. Hemphill was wanted on a murder charge stemming from an October 2023 shooting in the 1700 block of Burnet Road.

    Two juvenile suspects wanted on capital murder charges stemming from a homicide May 3 in the 5400 block of Ross Road in Austin were arrested May 8 in the 100 block of Chihuahua Drive in Del Valle. 

    Kent Outten, aka “K.O.,” 31, of Austin was arrested May 13 in the 6000 block of E. 7th Street following a foot-pursuit. Outten was wanted on a murder charge stemming from a March 31 shooting incident in the 400 block of North Interstate Highway 35 Northbound Service Road.

    Darius Sebastain Hatcher, 26, of Manor was arrested May 14 in the 2000 block of South Interstate Highway 35 Frontage Road in Round Rock. Hatcher was charged with capital murder of multiple persons following the shooting deaths April 20 of two men outside an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Aldrich Street.

    The Williamson County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the LSFTF to apprehend Bradley Stone Puckett, 20, of Georgetown. Puckett was a suspect in a homicide that occurred April 25 in the 20100 block of McShepherd Road in Georgetown. LSFTF arrested Puckett May 15 in the 1100 block of West Dittmar Road.  

    The LSFTF’s apprehension of these violent fugitives was conducted with vital assistance from the Austin Police Department’s Air Support and K-9 Divisions and continued support from all members of the LSFTF combined intelligence. 

    All suspects have been transported and booked into Travis County and Williamson County jails where they await their judicial proceedings.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin: 

    Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
    Georgetown, Round Rock, and San Marcos Police Departments
    Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson County Sheriff’s Offices
    Texas Attorney General’s Office
    Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
    Texas Department of Public Safety
    U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
    U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 128th Air Refueling Wing Hosts Joint Tactical Training with U.S. Marshals and Milwaukee Police

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Milwaukee, WI – The 128th Air Refueling Wing partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Milwaukee Police Department to conduct a two-day combined training event, April 16–17, 2025, on base at General Mitchell Air National Guard Base.

    The joint training brought together 128 ARW Security Forces personnel and local law enforcement agencies for a series of advanced tactical exercises designed to strengthen interagency coordination, improve tactical response, and enhance mission readiness across all organizations involved. The event was led by instructors from the U.S. Marshals Service and featured realistic, hands-on training scenarios.

    Training events kicked off inside one of the Wing’s aircraft hangars with vehicle operations, where teams practiced high-risk vehicle approaches, tactical maneuvers, and suspect extraction techniques in confined spaces. The realistic environment allowed both military and civilian law enforcement personnel to work side by side, learning and refining techniques for use in operational settings.

    The second portion of the training focused on vehicle ballistics using paint rounds. This exercise provided participants with a safe but realistic simulation of weapons engagement around vehicles, emphasizing the effectiveness of cover, angles of fire, and decision-making under pressure.

    The final segment took place in an open-air environment and included instruction on coordinated movement, suspect pursuit and apprehension, and communication strategies between agencies. The training highlighted the importance of interoperability and real-time decision-making in complex, evolving situations.

    “Joint training events like this one with the Wisconsin Air National Guard allows our agency to utilize additional training venues and strengthen inter-agency relationships that enhance community law enforcement initiatives,” said Anna Ruzinski, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. “We are very grateful to the WI ANG for their support in providing an excellent training location and the opportunity to collaborate with their security forces personnel, as well as for support from the city of Cudahy Emergency Medical Services in conducting a realistic medical response scenario.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Announces 39 Appointments to Boards, Authorities and Commissions

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced 39 appointments and reappointments to various state boards, authorities and commissions.

    Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission

    Donald Dowless currently serves as President of Shorter University in Rome, Georgia, a role he has held for over a decade. He holds a Ph.D. in religion from Baylor University, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to his presidency, Dowless teaches Christian studies and has instructed more than 10 different courses. His academic experience includes teaching at North Carolina State University, Campbell University, Southeastern Seminary, and Emmanuel University of Oradea. He has also completed missionary work in Romania and West Virginia. Dowless and his wife are active members of Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church in Silver Creek, Georgia.

    Georgia Board of Athletic Trainers

    Yusuf Jamal Ali was reappointed.

    Jeffrey Hopp serves as Director of Sports Medicine at Marietta City Schools and has led the Blue Devils’ athletic training program for over 20 years. He oversees student athletic trainers and has organized international trips for them to countries including Costa Rica, Ireland, and France. Prior to this, Hopp provided athletic training to Cobb and Cherokee County schools through Resurgens Orthopedics and was head athletic trainer for the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe. He has worked with the Minnesota Vikings, the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, and the 2007 U.S. National Paralympic Track and Field Championships. He was a founding member and chairman of the Georgia Concussion Coalition, contributing to the passage of the GA Return to Play Act. Hopp holds a B.S. in athletic training from Minnesota State University and resides in Dallas, Georgia, with his wife, Julie.

    Georgia Board of Landscape Architects

    Chad Baker, Jon Calabria, and Rebecca Kirk were reappointed.

    Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council

    Stan Stalnaker is a member of the Tift County Board of Commissioners, currently serving his third term.  He is a certified county commissioner through the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and holds a specialty track certification in public safety. Stalnaker is a 29-year veteran of the Georgia State Patrol, holds the rank of Captain, and currently serves as the Director of GSP’s Aviation Division.  He holds a master’s in public administration from Columbus State University, is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session #261, in Quantico, Virginia. Stalnaker and his wife Keisha reside in Tifton, where they attend Liberty Baptist Church. They have one son who attends Georgia Southern University.

    Georgia State Board of Architects and Interior Designers

    Melissa Cantrell and Anne K. Smith were reappointed.

    Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council

    Mary McCartin Wearn is the President of Georgia Humanities. She formerly served as founding dean of the School of Arts and Letters at Middle Georgia State University, where she led regional partnerships and public-facing arts and culture programs. She holds a Ph.D. in english from UGA, a B.A. in english from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a B.S. in biomedical engineering from Case Western Reserve University.

    Georgia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    Ibrahim Dabo, Paula Harmon, Anne McQuade, and Allison Morrison were reappointed.

    State Board of Workers Compensation

    Benjamin Vinson was reappointed as Chairman.

    Frank McKay was reappointed.

    State Charter School Commission

    Scott Sweeney is a Senior Business Advisor at InPrime Legal, a business law firm recognized as a 2019 Small Business ROCK STAR by the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Economic Developers Association. He has served on numerous national, state, and local boards, including as past president of the Georgia Education Committee, a legislative affairs committee member for the Georgia School Boards Association, and a member of both the CTAE Business & Advisory Committee and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee. Sweeney spent eight years on the Cobb County Board of Education, holding leadership roles including chair, vice-chair, budget liaison, and Facilities and Technology Committee liaison. He later served on the Georgia State Board of Education from 2019 to 2025, representing the 6th and later the 11th Congressional Districts. During his tenure, he served as chairman and chaired the District Flexibility and Charter Schools Committee. Sweeney holds a B.A. in economics from UCLA and resides in East Cobb with his wife, Sandy, and their two sons.

    State Board of Certification of Librarians

    Kathryn R. Epps was reappointed.

    Catherine M. Lewis serves as Associate Vice Provost of Museums, Archives, and Rare Books at the University Libraries and as Professor of History at Kennesaw State University. She manages a multimillion-dollar budget and leads a staff of nearly 100 professionals. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Arts in english and history from Emory University, as well as a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in american studies from the University of Iowa. She has curated more than 40 exhibits for institutions across the country, including the Atlanta History Center, the Brennan Museum, Delta Airlines, Augusta National Golf Club, and United Way. She has co-authored and co-edited over 15 books, regularly presents at national and international conferences, and has helped secure major grants for Kennesaw State from organizations such as the U.S. State Department, the American Association of Museums, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

    Bona Fide Coin Operated Amusement Machine Operator Advisory Board

    Shawn Fellows, Mills Flemming, Natalie Jones and Chandra B. Yadav were reappointed.

    Georgia Child Support Commission

    Chuck Efstration, Houston Gaines, Emanuel Jones and Brian Strickland were reappointed.

    Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board

    Marlon L. Day is a Senior Director at Quest Valuation & Advisors, where he performs appraisals across a wide range of property types and markets. He is an accomplished research and financial analyst and a certified general appraiser with more than 22 years of experience in preparing and presenting valuation analyses. His project experience includes multi-family residential, office, retail, warehouse, industrial, mixed-use, infrastructure, special-use properties, expert witness testimony, and diminution in value. His practical business expertise is supported by a Master of Business Administration in finance. Day and his wife have three children.

    Board of Natural Resources

    Steven Hufstetler and Brent Layton were reappointed.

    State Board of Registration for Foresters

    James Harley Langdale was reappointed.

    Georgia Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Advisory Board

    Robert Balkcom serves as the South Adjutant of the Georgia State Patrol, overseeing the operations of Troops F, G, H, I, J, and K, as well as the South Nighthawks DUI Task Force, the Recruiting Unit, the Implied Consent Unit (ICU), the Criminal Interdiction Unit (CIU), the Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT), the State of Georgia SWAT Team, and four Communication Centers. Prior to assuming this role in 2020, Balkcom served as Troop F Commander. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Savannah Police Department in 1992 and joined the Georgia State Patrol as a Trooper Cadet at Post 42 – Savannah in 1994. After graduating from the 71st Georgia State Patrol Trooper School in 1995, he was assigned to Post 42 – Savannah. Balkcom was promoted to Corporal at Post 45 – Statesboro in 2006. In 2009, he was selected as Commander of the newly formed Nighthawks South DUI Task Force and promoted to Sergeant in 2011. He advanced to Sergeant First Class at Post 11 – Hinesville in 2013, Lieutenant in Troop I in 2018, and Captain in Troop F in March 2020. Balkcom graduated from Reidsville High School in 1987 and earned a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Georgia Southern University in 1991. He is also a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College and holds a master’s degree in public safety administration from Columbus State University. He and his wife, Nicole, have lived in Reidsville for the past 40 years.

    North Georgia Mountains Authority

    Jeff Andrews currently serves as the Fourth Congressional District Representative on the Board of Natural Resources. He began his career in the long-term care industry in 1981 as marketing director for a continuing care retirement community in Birmingham, Alabama. He was later promoted to executive director and then southeast regional vice president. In 1988, Andrews became senior vice president of corporate development, where he led the addition of 17 properties to the management portfolio, helping establish the company as the largest for-profit, third-party manager of retirement housing in the United States. By 1990, Andrews co-founded Retirement Management Corporation and served as its president until its acquisition by Sun Healthcare in 1998. In 1999, he founded Wellington HealthCare Services, LLC, which grew to 11 owned facilities before being sold in 2007. He retained a significant ownership stake and helped the company meet key operational goals. He continues to lead Wellington, which currently manages 17 facilities.

    North Georgia Mountains Authority- Chair

    Patrick Denney is a graduate of West Georgia College with a BBA in marketing and a lifelong resident of Carroll County. He owns and operates SLM Recycling, SLM Steel and Fabrication, and Heavy Equipment Repair. An avid outdoorsman, Denney manages farm, timber, and hunting land in both Carroll and Heard Counties. He was appointed to the Board of Natural Resources in 2020 and has served on the North Georgia Mountains Authority since 2021. He and his wife, Lynne, have four children and reside in Bowdon.

    State Properties Commission

    Yi Jeng “Jay” Lin was reappointed.

    Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists

    Gregory Keith Moffatt was reappointed.

    State Board of Registration for Professional Geologists

    Jack L. Kittle, Jr. is a retired water and environmental resource manager with Aqua Terra Consultants. With over 40 years of experience, Kittle worked with major clients such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Geological Survey. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1975. An active member of the Decatur community, Kittle helped charter and establish the Decatur Parks and Recreation Pedestrian Committee in 2013 and served on the committee for over 10 years.

    Veterans Service Board

    Darius “Pete” Peterson was reappointed.

    Georgia Board of Private Detective and Security Agencies  

    Timothy Williams was reappointed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy and Defacing Religious Property in Vandalism of Synagogue Building

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

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy and defacing and damaging a religious building, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Talya A. Lubit, age 24, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.

    In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Lubit and her codefendant, Mohamad Hamad, conspired from July 2024 to July 29, 2024, to damage and deface the Chabad of Squirrel Hill. The Chabad is a center for Jewish educational programming and occupies a building for Jewish religious services in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. In the early morning hours of July 29, 2024, acting on their plan to cause damage to a Jewish institution, Lubit and Hamad spray-painted the words “Jews 4 Palestine” with an inverted triangle onto the exterior of the building with red paint. The inverted triangle first appeared in videos posted online by Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, of the current fighting in Gaza where it was used to mark an Israeli target about to be attacked by Hamas fighters. The act of vandalism was born from Hamad’s and Lubit’s shared growing animosity towards Israel since the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and the war that ensued between Israel and Hamas.

    In connection with the guilty plea, Lubit agreed to pay full restitution for the damage done to the Chabad property, as well as graffiti that she and Hamad spray-painted on an entry sign to the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh the same day.

    Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for September 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Pending sentencing, the Court continued Lubit’s bond with special conditions including home detention.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Carolyn J. Bloch and Nicole Vasquez Schmitt are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Lubit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mexican National and Alleged Alien Smuggler Indicted on First Material Support of Terrorism Charges Against CJNG Member

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    An indictment unsealed today in the Western District of Texas is the first in the nation to charge a Mexican national with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization based on her involvement with the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), including providing the cartel with grenades and engaging in alien smuggling, firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, and narcotics trafficking on its behalf.

    “Cartels like CJNG are terrorist groups that wreak havoc in American communities and are responsible for countless lives lost in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere.” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This announcement demonstrates the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to securing our borders and protecting Americans through effective prosecution.”

    According to court documents, Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez, 39, of Mexico, conspired with others to provide and did attempt to provide grenades to CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, Navarro-Sanchez, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Co-defendant Luis Carlos Davalos-Lopez, 27, of Mexico, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens into and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Co-defendant Gustavo Castro-Medina, 28, of Mexico, is charged with straw purchasing and firearms trafficking, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

    On Feb. 20, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of eight international cartels, including CJNG, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and specially designated global terrorists. This designation makes available much stronger criminal charges in the fight to secure our nation’s borders. CJNG is a transnational criminal organization that controls a significant portion of the narcotics trafficking trade and has a presence in nearly every part of Mexico and dozens of other countries, including the United States. In addition to trafficking fentanyl, CJNG engages in money laundering, bribery, extortion of migrants, taxing of migrant smugglers, and other criminal activities, including acts of violence and intimidation. According to the State Department, CJNG has conducted attacks on Mexican military and police with military grade weaponry, the use of drones to drop explosives on Mexican law enforcement, and assassinations or attempted assassinations of Mexican officials.

    On Jan. 20, President Trump directed the Justice Department and other agencies to pursue total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations because they pose extremely serious threats to the United States, including by jeopardizing a stable and secure border. These and other criminal organizations commit brutal and intolerable violent crimes related to narcotics and firearms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and other criminal acts. They also are responsible for huge flows of illegal immigration into the United States. They organize and facilitate all manners of illicit travel and immigration into the United States through the southern and northern borders and rely on co-conspirators and organization members operating in various countries throughout North and South America. This situation is untenable and threatens our national security. The Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the United States against invasion, working urgently toward the goal of total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, aggressively enforcing our immigration laws, and maximizing the impact and effectiveness of all available law enforcement tools.

    “We will never allow criminal gangs and cartels to terrorize American communities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “The days of unchecked gang and cartel violence are over.”

    “As alleged, the defendant engaged in multiple of the most insidious kinds of criminal activity: firearms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, human and bulk cash smuggling, and even providing grenades to CJNG,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the Criminal Division’s hard work and commitment to eliminate cartels and foreign terrorist organizations like CJNG.”

    “The slew of federal charges we have brought against Navarro-Sanchez sends a monumental message through the ranks of cartels like CJNG—now designated as a terrorist organization—along with those who support them in various capacities, that U.S. law enforcement is turning up the pressure to crack down on unlawful immigration practices and to dismantle the smuggling of illicit drugs and firearms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “These crimes, all included as allegations in the indictment, do nothing but place human lives on both sides of the border in grave danger, while loading the pockets of criminals who profit off of them.”

    “The arrest of Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez should send a clear message to people who wish to align themselves with terrorist groups that they will be sought out and held to the highest extent of the law,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “I’m extremely proud of the dedicated men and women of the FBI and its law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to protect Americans and keep our communities safe.”

    “The brutality and destruction inflicted by cartels and terrorist organizations is devastating communities across the United States and around the world,” said Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director Dan Driscoll. “The capture and arrest of Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez demonstrates what international law enforcement cooperation can achieve when united against the threat posed by these violent networks. ATF and our partners will use every tool at our disposal to relentlessly hunt down, dismantle, and bring to justice every trafficker, every cartel operative, and every individual who dares to threaten the safety and sovereignty of our communities.”

    “This case lays bare the true nature of the threat we face,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “A cartel associate providing support to a designated foreign terrorist organization is not just a criminal threat—it is a national security threat. DEA will use every tool of law enforcement to dismantle CJNG and its network that floods our streets with poison, traffics in human lives, and wages violence against law and order. We are not just keeping our communities safe from dangerous, illegal drugs—we are fighting a national security crisis.”

    “Supplying grenades to a designated terrorist organization—while trafficking firearms, narcotics, and human beings—is not just criminal; it’s a direct assault on the security of the United States,” said Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd M. Lyons. “Sanchez acted as a key enabler of violence who empowered cartels and terrorist organizations. Her crimes extended beyond smuggling; she was involved in firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Her actions endangered countless lives and undermined our efforts to protect the nation’s borders and communities. Confronting this level of criminality demands more than resolve—it requires a unified, all-of-government response, and that’s exactly what we demonstrated today: a coordinated effort to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who profit from violence and human suffering.”

    Photo of 20 AK-47 type firearms and two .50 caliber rifles seized on August 21, 2023, in the Western District of Texas.

    Photo of man-made tunnel used to smuggle aliens from Mexico to the United States.

    Photo of three packages of meth and multiple packages of blue fentanyl pills seized in March 2023.

    AM-15, multi-caliber AR-15 variant aka “El Dorado” recovered from Navarro-Sanchez’s possession during her arrest in Mexico on May 4, 2025.

    Since its establishment, Joint Task Force Alpha’s (JTFA) work has resulted in increased coordination and collaboration between both domestic and foreign law enforcement; precedent setting indictments, extraditions and prosecutions; more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of these crimes; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 defendants sentenced, including significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial seizures and forfeitures of assets and contraband including millions of dollars in cash, real property, vehicles, firearms and ammunition, and drugs.

    The FBI, ATF, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, assisted by the U.S. Border Patrol, investigated the case. ATF Legal Attachés in Mexico City and the Mexico Attorney General’s Office also known as Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) Firearms Trafficking Unit provided substantial assistance. The CBP’s National Targeting Center, and ICE HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. also provided assistance with the investigation.

    The case announced today is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Myers and JTFA Associate Director Ian Hanna of the Western District of Texas, and Trial Attorney Marie Zisa of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Judicial Attachés in Mexico provided substantial assistance. The Justice Department thanks its Mexican law enforcement partners, who arrested Navarro-Sanchez on May 4, during an enforcement operation.

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

    This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi­ jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The OCDETF El Paso / Las Cruces Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from CBP, HSI,  DEA, FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), and the El Paso Police Department (EPPD).

    The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National and Alleged Alien Smuggler Indicted on First Material Support of Terrorism Charges Against CJNG Member

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    An indictment unsealed today in the Western District of Texas is the first in the nation to charge a Mexican national with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization based on her involvement with the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), including providing the cartel with grenades and engaging in alien smuggling, firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling, and narcotics trafficking on its behalf.

    “Cartels like CJNG are terrorist groups that wreak havoc in American communities and are responsible for countless lives lost in the United States, Mexico, and elsewhere.” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This announcement demonstrates the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to securing our borders and protecting Americans through effective prosecution.”

    According to court documents, Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez, 39, of Mexico, conspired with others to provide and did attempt to provide grenades to CJNG, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, Navarro-Sanchez, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Co-defendant Luis Carlos Davalos-Lopez, 27, of Mexico, is charged with conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens into and transport aliens in the United States, straw purchasing and firearms trafficking. Co-defendant Gustavo Castro-Medina, 28, of Mexico, is charged with straw purchasing and firearms trafficking, conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

    On Feb. 20, the U.S. Department of State announced the designation of eight international cartels, including CJNG, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and specially designated global terrorists. This designation makes available much stronger criminal charges in the fight to secure our nation’s borders. CJNG is a transnational criminal organization that controls a significant portion of the narcotics trafficking trade and has a presence in nearly every part of Mexico and dozens of other countries, including the United States. In addition to trafficking fentanyl, CJNG engages in money laundering, bribery, extortion of migrants, taxing of migrant smugglers, and other criminal activities, including acts of violence and intimidation. According to the State Department, CJNG has conducted attacks on Mexican military and police with military grade weaponry, the use of drones to drop explosives on Mexican law enforcement, and assassinations or attempted assassinations of Mexican officials.

    On Jan. 20, President Trump directed the Justice Department and other agencies to pursue total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations because they pose extremely serious threats to the United States, including by jeopardizing a stable and secure border. These and other criminal organizations commit brutal and intolerable violent crimes related to narcotics and firearms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and other criminal acts. They also are responsible for huge flows of illegal immigration into the United States. They organize and facilitate all manners of illicit travel and immigration into the United States through the southern and northern borders and rely on co-conspirators and organization members operating in various countries throughout North and South America. This situation is untenable and threatens our national security. The Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners are committed to protecting the United States against invasion, working urgently toward the goal of total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, aggressively enforcing our immigration laws, and maximizing the impact and effectiveness of all available law enforcement tools.

    “We will never allow criminal gangs and cartels to terrorize American communities,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. “The days of unchecked gang and cartel violence are over.”

    “As alleged, the defendant engaged in multiple of the most insidious kinds of criminal activity: firearms trafficking, narcotics trafficking, human and bulk cash smuggling, and even providing grenades to CJNG,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Today’s announcement demonstrates the Criminal Division’s hard work and commitment to eliminate cartels and foreign terrorist organizations like CJNG.”

    “The slew of federal charges we have brought against Navarro-Sanchez sends a monumental message through the ranks of cartels like CJNG—now designated as a terrorist organization—along with those who support them in various capacities, that U.S. law enforcement is turning up the pressure to crack down on unlawful immigration practices and to dismantle the smuggling of illicit drugs and firearms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “These crimes, all included as allegations in the indictment, do nothing but place human lives on both sides of the border in grave danger, while loading the pockets of criminals who profit off of them.”

    “The arrest of Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez should send a clear message to people who wish to align themselves with terrorist groups that they will be sought out and held to the highest extent of the law,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “I’m extremely proud of the dedicated men and women of the FBI and its law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to protect Americans and keep our communities safe.”

    “The brutality and destruction inflicted by cartels and terrorist organizations is devastating communities across the United States and around the world,” said Bureau of Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Acting Director Dan Driscoll. “The capture and arrest of Maria Del Rosario Navarro-Sanchez demonstrates what international law enforcement cooperation can achieve when united against the threat posed by these violent networks. ATF and our partners will use every tool at our disposal to relentlessly hunt down, dismantle, and bring to justice every trafficker, every cartel operative, and every individual who dares to threaten the safety and sovereignty of our communities.”

    “This case lays bare the true nature of the threat we face,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “A cartel associate providing support to a designated foreign terrorist organization is not just a criminal threat—it is a national security threat. DEA will use every tool of law enforcement to dismantle CJNG and its network that floods our streets with poison, traffics in human lives, and wages violence against law and order. We are not just keeping our communities safe from dangerous, illegal drugs—we are fighting a national security crisis.”

    “Supplying grenades to a designated terrorist organization—while trafficking firearms, narcotics, and human beings—is not just criminal; it’s a direct assault on the security of the United States,” said Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd M. Lyons. “Sanchez acted as a key enabler of violence who empowered cartels and terrorist organizations. Her crimes extended beyond smuggling; she was involved in firearms trafficking, bulk cash smuggling conspiracy, and a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Her actions endangered countless lives and undermined our efforts to protect the nation’s borders and communities. Confronting this level of criminality demands more than resolve—it requires a unified, all-of-government response, and that’s exactly what we demonstrated today: a coordinated effort to identify, disrupt, and bring to justice those who profit from violence and human suffering.”

    Photo of 20 AK-47 type firearms and two .50 caliber rifles seized on August 21, 2023, in the Western District of Texas.

    Photo of man-made tunnel used to smuggle aliens from Mexico to the United States.

    Photo of three packages of meth and multiple packages of blue fentanyl pills seized in March 2023.

    AM-15, multi-caliber AR-15 variant aka “El Dorado” recovered from Navarro-Sanchez’s possession during her arrest in Mexico on May 4, 2025.

    Since its establishment, Joint Task Force Alpha’s (JTFA) work has resulted in increased coordination and collaboration between both domestic and foreign law enforcement; precedent setting indictments, extraditions and prosecutions; more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of these crimes; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 defendants sentenced, including significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial seizures and forfeitures of assets and contraband including millions of dollars in cash, real property, vehicles, firearms and ammunition, and drugs.

    The FBI, ATF, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, assisted by the U.S. Border Patrol, investigated the case. ATF Legal Attachés in Mexico City and the Mexico Attorney General’s Office also known as Fiscalía General de la República (FGR) Firearms Trafficking Unit provided substantial assistance. The CBP’s National Targeting Center, and ICE HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. also provided assistance with the investigation.

    The case announced today is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Myers and JTFA Associate Director Ian Hanna of the Western District of Texas, and Trial Attorney Marie Zisa of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and Judicial Attachés in Mexico provided substantial assistance. The Justice Department thanks its Mexican law enforcement partners, who arrested Navarro-Sanchez on May 4, during an enforcement operation.

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

    This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi­ jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. The OCDETF El Paso / Las Cruces Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from CBP, HSI,  DEA, FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), and the El Paso Police Department (EPPD).

    The charges contained in an indictment are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Stephenville — Campbells Creek man charged by Bay St. George RCMP for flight from police and dangerous operation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Criminal charges have been laid by Bay St. George RCMP against 32-year-old James Marche of Campbells Creek.

    On May 14, 2025, Bay St. George RCMP attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle in Stephenville. The driver failed to stop for police and fled at a high rate of speed and in a dangerous manner, passing a number of vehicles, including a school bus. In the interest of public safety police did not pursue. In continuing the investigation, police confirmed the identity of the driver as James Marche.

    With the assistance of RCMP Police Dog Services, Marche was arrested on May 16 by Bay St. George RCMP without further incident.

    Marche is charged with the following offences:

    • Dangerous operation
    • Flight from police
    • Breach of release order

    Additionally, he was ticketed under the Highway Traffic Act for improper passing.

    Marche appeared in court this morning and was remanded into custody. His next court appearance will take place on Tuesday.

    Bay St. George RCMP looks to identify possible witnesses or those having dash cam or surveillance footage of the incident. The dangerous driving occurred in the areas of the Hansen Highway, West Street and Kippens Road in Stephenville between 2:20 p.m. and 2:35 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

    The investigation is continuing.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Guilty of Federal Drug and Gun Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on May 13, 2025, FLOYD JONES (“JONES”), age 38, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to Counts Three, Four, and Five of an eight-count indictment pending against him. Counts Three and Four charge JONES with distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B). Count Five charges JONES with being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Sentencing is set for August 5, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Greg Gerard Guidry.

    JONES faces not less than 5 years, up to 40 years’ imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and up to 4 years of supervised release for each of Counts Three and Four, and up to 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release for Count Five. JONES also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee as to all four counts.

    According to court documents, on July 15, 2024 and August 22, 2024, JONES distributed over 50 grams or more of methamphetamine to undisclosed persons. Additionally, JONES sold a Ruger Model Security-9, nine-millimeter caliber pistol, loaded with 8 rounds of ammunition. JONES knew he was a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition.

    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.

    Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Eagle Butte Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PIERRE – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on May 15, 2025.

    Jamie Cavanaugh, age 41, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Cavanaugh was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2023. She pleaded guilty on January 16, 2025.

    The conviction stemmed from a drug conspiracy beginning in January 2021 and continuing until December 2022. Cavanaugh was involved in a conspiracy with several other individuals to distribute methamphetamine in and around the central South Dakota area, including in Pierre and within the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. As part of the conspiracy, Cavanaugh was involved in distributing 3.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.

    This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, the Pierre Police Department, and the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

    Cavanaugh was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Theology Professor Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Pornographic Images of Children

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A former professor of theology and librarian at the Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.

    Charles Kilby Bellinger, 63, was arrested in October 2024 by the Fort Worth Police Department after TCU’s IT staff reported they had detected pornographic images with concerning file names, including “infant” and “toddler,” on Bellinger’s work computer.  He was charged by federal complaint, which stated that investigators found multiple sexually explicit images of pre-pubescent minors on a hard drive and an SD card removed from Bellinger’s office.  

    In early January 2025, Bellinger pled guilty to federal charges of possessing child pornography.  Today, he was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman, who also ordered that Bellinger pay restitution of $6,000 to certain victims and that Bellinger be taken into custody immediately following the hearing.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Meacham praised the work of the law enforcement agencies that conducted the investigation, including the U.S. Secret Service, the Fort Worth Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and the Texas Christian University Campus Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Saleem prosecuted the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Stolen Human Remains

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Taylor, age 46, of Wernersville, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on May 15, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to interstate transport of stolen human remains. 

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Taylor admitted that, from 2018 through 2022, he bought human remains that he knew to have been stolen from Harvard Medical School and transported them from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania.  Taylor also sold stolen human remains to others, including Jeremy Pauley, who previously entered a guilty plea to a felony information.

    The indictment alleged that from 2018 through 2022, Cedric Lodge, who managed the morgue for the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School, located in Boston, Massachusetts, stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations.  It is also alleged that Lodge at times transported stolen remains from Boston to his residence in Goffstown, New Hampshire, where he and his wife, Denise Lodge, sold the remains to Joshua Taylor, and others, making arrangements via cellular telephone and social media websites.  On some occasions, Taylor transported stolen remains back to Pennsylvania.

    Several other defendants have pleaded guilty, including Denise Lodge, Andrew Ensanian, Matthew Lampi, and Angelo Pereyra.  Lampi was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Pereyra was sentenced to 18 months in prison.  Denise Lodge is awaiting sentencing.  Additionally, Candace Chapman-Scott, who stole remains from an Arkansas crematorium where she was employed and sold them to Pauley in Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty in Arkansas federal court and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan Martin is prosecuting the case. 

    The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.  All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Marion Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug, Gun Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FLORENCE, S.C. — In two separate cases, two Marion men have been sentenced to federal prison for illegal firearm and illegal narcotics charges. Larry Sheron Brown, Jr, 33, of Marion, was sentenced to a year and a half in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Larry Robinson, 40, of Marion, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation of Robinson revealed that he possessed two firearms on two separate occasions. On March 24, 2023, Robinson was found in possession of a .380 handgun. One month later, Robinson was again found in possession of a 9mm firearm along with 14 grams of powdered cocaine.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation of Brown revealed that he verbally threatened, then flashed a firearm, to customers at the Circle K in Marion. Based on Brown’s conduct at the Circle K, law enforcement sought arrest warrants for him. During Brown’s arrest law enforcement located a 9mm firearm which matched the description and appearance of the firearm Brown flashed in the Circle K.  Brown has previous felony convictions that prevent him from possessing a firearm.

    United States District Joseph Dawson III sentenced Brown to 18 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. United States District Joseph Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Robinson to 60 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision.  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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Marion Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis is prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Juries in Bowling Green and Paducah, Kentucky Indict 5 Foreign Nationals from China, Guatemala, and Mexico for Immigration and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Bowling Green and Paducah, KY – Federal grand juries in Bowling Green and Paducah, Kentucky, returned indictments on May 13 and 14, 2025, charging 5 individuals with immigration and firearms offenses.

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge John Nokes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, and Sam Olson, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement made the announcement.

    According to the indictments:

    Artemio Ruiz-Medina, age 45, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about April 13, 2025, Ruiz-Medina was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about July 3, 2003, September 29, 2006, April 2, 2010, June 28, 2018, and July 28, 2023. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE ERO.

    Santos Pastor-Juarez, age 52, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about April 28, 2025, Pastor-Juarez was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about on March 6, 1998. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE ERO.

    Zhouchen Yan, age 29, a citizen of China, was charged in Bowling Green with 3 counts of making false written statements intended to deceive a licensed firearms dealer, on a Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record. On the form, Yan falsely stated he was not an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States, when in fact, as the defendant then knew, he was an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States. These crimes occurred between October 23, 2023, and December13, 2024 in Warren County. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. This case is being investigated by ATF.

    Ulises Macario Gonzaga-Guillen, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with 4 counts of making false written statements intended to deceive a licensed firearms dealer, on a Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record. On the form, Gonzaga-Guillen falsely stated he was not an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States, when in fact, as the defendant then knew, he was an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States. He was also charged with falsely claiming to be a United Sates citizen while being an illegal alien in possession of firearms on 2 occasions. These crimes occurred between January 1, 2025, and April 21, 2025, in McCracken and Marshall counties. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 73 years in prison. This case is being investigated by ATF, HSI, and ICE ERO.

    Rodrigo Waldemarr Caal-Caal, age 22, a citizen of Guatemala, and Rodolfo Ruiz-Hernandez, age 27, a citizen of Mexico, were both charged in Paducah with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Caal-Caal and Ruiz-Hernandez admitted to possessing a firearm to Mayfield Police Department investigators during a death investigation. If convicted, both face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. This case is being investigated by ATF, HSI, ICE ERO, and the Mayfield Police Department.

    A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Nicholas Rabold and Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, and Seth Hancock and Raymond McGee, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, are prosecuting the cases.

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

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Pagan’s Motorcycle Club Members Pleaded Guilty for Armed Assaults Against Rivals

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, for their involvement in a series of armed assaults against members of rival motorcycle clubs.

    Christopher W. McGowen, also known as “Mac,” 41, of Platte City, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 13, 2025, to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of attempting to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

    Brandon S. Hodge, also known as “Youngblood,” 26, of Springfield, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 14, 2025, to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering.

    Arthur L. Reynolds III, also known as “Straight Edge,” 48, of Independence, Mo., pleaded guilty on May 15, 2025, to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of felon in possession of firearms.

    On May 30, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, assaulted a lone rival gang member at a business in Grain Valley, Mo.  In addition to fists, one Pagan used an axe handle during the assault, causing physical injury to the victim.

    On September 3, 2022, McGowen and other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, travelled to Topeka, Ks., to carry out a revenge attack against another rival motorcycle gang.  The plan was to “catch a stray” and “smash on sight” any rival member they saw.  The Pagan’s were aware that the rival motorcycle gang was having an event in Topeka that day, and the plan was to use either an axe handle or a gun on one of the rival gang members.  After arriving in Topeka, a rival member was spotted in a hotel parking lot.  As a member of the Pagan’s prepared to shoot the rival, a disagreement occurred among members, and the group returned to the Kansas City area.

    On September 17, 2022, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo.  Various members of the Pagan’s and their support club were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle.  McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and the others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway and ultimately, the victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearm, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg.

    Following these events, McGowen, Hodge, Reynolds and others present at the various assaults were awarded patches for their participation.

    On May 11, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Reynolds’ residence in Independence, Mo.  Inside, officers located seven firearms, various calibers of ammunition, body armor, and Pagan’s Motorcycle Gang-related items, including support shirts, patches, and paperwork for the Pagan’s.  On Jan. 24, 2005, Reynolds pleaded guilty to felony aggravated robbery in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, for which he later was sentenced to 61 months in custody.

    Under federal statutes, McGowen and Reynolds are subject to a sentence of up to life in federal prison without parole, and Hodge is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

    Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force

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

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  • MIL-OSI Video: National Police Week at the White House, 2025

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    They kiss their families goodbye, not knowing if they’ll ever return.

    Many politicians say they back the blue—then betray them. Never President Trump.

    This National Police Week, officers made it clear: “It truly makes a difference when you have a President who supports you.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJDsdhU9P2Y

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Honors Fallen New Mexico Officers and Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story During National Police Week

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – During National Police Week, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)delivered remarks on the House floor honoring three New Mexico law enforcement officers who are being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall and recognizing the leadership of Las Cruces Police Chief Jeremy Story.

     

    WATCH: VASQUEZ FLOOR REMARKS

     

    “Every day, across our country and in my home state, law enforcement officers wake up, put on the badge, and commit themselves to protecting our neighbors,” said Vasquez. “It is a calling that demands bravery, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. This week, we remember those who answered that call and never returned home.”

    This year, three fallen New Mexico officers are being recognized on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington:

    • Corrections Officer Roberto Rodriguez, Doña Ana County
    • Patrol Officer Jonah Hernandez, Las Cruces Police Department
    • Patrolman Justin C. Hare, New Mexico State Police

    Vasquez also recognized the following fallen officers: 

    • Police officer J.R. Stewart, Las Cruces Police Department
    • Police Officer Bianca Quintana, Albuquerque Police Department
    • Police officer Anthony “Tony” Ferguson, Alamogordo Police Department
    • Patrolman James M Sides, Alamogordo Police Department
    • State Police Officer Darian Jarrott, New Mexico State Police Department
    • Sheriff Michael Reeves, Curry County 

    Rep. Vasquez also called for stronger federal support for active law enforcement officers, emphasizing the need to invest in officer safety, mental health, and family well-being.

    In addition, Vasquez recognized Chief Jeremy Story of the Las Cruces Police Department for his exemplary leadership in times of crisis and ongoing dedication to public service.

    “Earlier this year, our community faced a horrific mass shooting—an act of senseless violence that shook Las Cruces to its core,” said Vasquez. “Chief Story responded swiftly and with compassion. His leadership was grounded in facts and empathy. He showed up—not just to lead, but to help us begin to heal.”

    Chief Story, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and New Mexico State University graduate, was named Citizen of the Year by the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce this May.

    “On behalf of all New Mexicans, I thank Chief Jeremy Story for his continued leadership and unwavering commitment to the people of Las Cruces,” said Vasquez.

    National Police Week honors law enforcement officers nationwide who have died in the line of duty and recognizes those who continue to serve their communities with bravery and professionalism.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –