The Officer in Charge of the Integrated Cybercrime Investigations Unit of the Central Region RCMP, Inspector Lina Dabit, will hold a press conference to provide results of a complex and international cybercrime investigation.
Following a statement of facts, representatives from the RCMP will be available for questions.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced today to over 11 years in prison and will serve the rest of his life on supervised release for attempting to coerce and entice a minor in 2023.
According to court documents, in early July 2023, Benjamin Roundy, aka “Aleks” or “Alekzander Marko,” 43, responded to a public group chat post on an internet-based app by an individual who identified herself as a 13-year-old living in Anchorage. The group chat post was actually made by an undercover agent.
Court documents explain that Roundy communicated with the undercover agent for nearly a month, first on the app and then via text message, and he initiated sexual conversations. Roundy discussed sexual acts he wanted to perform on the individual, who be believed to be a child, and made repeated requests for explicit photos of her.
On Aug. 4, 2023, Roundy asked the undercover agent to meet in person at the parking lot of a grocery store in Anchorage. The undercover agent told Roundy she was going to walk home from a friend’s house, and Roundy asked what street the friend lived on. Shortly after learning the fictional address of the friend, the defendant left his home to meet the undercover agent, who he thought was a minor.
Court documents further explain that Roundy texted the undercover agent instructions on where to meet him. When he received no response to his instructions, Roundy drove to a parking lot where he could see the street of the fictitious friend. Law enforcement arrested Roundy in the parking lot shortly thereafter and discovered a new bottle of personal lubricant and condoms in his vehicle.
The investigation revealed thousands of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse on Roundy’s electronic devices and data detailing his online presence, which included searches for child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and related terms.
On April 25, 2024, Roundy pleaded guilty to one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
“Mr. Roundy’s conduct was heinous, as he tried to meet with who he believed was an underage girl in Anchorage to engage in sex, sought explicit images of the child, and obtained graphic images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of other minors for years,” said First Assistant U.S Attorney Kathryn R. Vogel for the District of Alaska. “Our office’s commitment to safeguarding Alaska’s children from those who seek to exploit their innocence is unwavering. We will relentlessly pursue justice by working with law enforcement to identify, investigate and hold accountable anyone who targets children.”
“The defendant posed a significant threat to children in Alaska and abroad, as demonstrated by his disturbing pattern of conduct involving child exploitation,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Even in the darkest corners of the Internet, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will find a way to seek justice for our most vulnerable.”
The FBI and Anchorage Police Department investigated this case as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander of the District of Alaska and Trial Attorney Rachel L. Rothberg of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Snow plow operators went above and beyond to rescue two motorists who recently found themselves stuck on the Trans-Canada Highway in severe weather on February 17, 2025.
On Monday morning, the Wreckhouse area, north of Port aux Basques, experienced extremely poor winter driving conditions with snow and high winds with gusts of up to 150 km/h. During this time, Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP received separate reports of two motorists who were stranded on the highway, due to these adverse weather conditions.
After becoming stuck, one motorist opened the door of the vehicle which blew off with the wind. The vehicle, with three occupants inside, was at risk of blowing over an embankment. Another motorist founds themselves stuck partially off of the highway in white out conditions.
With severely poor road conditions, police and other first responders were unable to travel on the TCH. Snow plow operators with the provincial department of Transportation and Infrastructure, based out of Doyles and Port aux Basques, located the stranded motorists and brought them to safety.
RCMP NL thanks the involved snow plow operators for going above and beyond to potentially save the lives of those stranded.
Those heading out on the highways at this time of year are encouraged to follow RCMP NL’s social media accounts, including Facebook and X, for updates on road closures or condition. Additionally, prior to travel, motorists are encouraged to familiarize themselves with alerts and forecasts issued by various meteorologists or agencies, including Environment Canada. Motorists who choose to drive during poor road conditions may find themselves stuck for a number of hours, as emergency personnel may be unable to respond.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
WASHINGTON – Ashawntea Henderson, 32, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. to 52 months in federal prison for participating in an early morning robbery of a drug store at the Jersey Shore. During the May 2020 robbery, he and his co-conspirators jumped the counter, overpowered the night pharmacist, stole thousands of prescription narcotics, and then – as they attempted to flee to the District – crashed into a responding police cruiser.
The sentencing was announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Terence Reilly of the Newark Field Office.
Henderson pleaded guilty on October 30, 2024, to interference of commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery). In addition to the 52-month prison sentence, Judge Amy Berman Jackson ordered Henderson to serve three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Henderson and his co-conspirators researched potential targets including Walgreens and CVS pharmacies which were open all night. On May 9, 2020, Henderson and others drove more than 200 miles from Washington, D.C. to a Walgreens Pharmacy on State Road 33, in Neptune, New Jersey.
At 3:09 a.m., Henderson and two others dressed in masks and gloves entered the Walgreens. All three jumped over the pharmacy counter and demanded codeine, Adderall, and Percocet. One of the co-conspirators grabbed the night pharmacist, demanded that he open the locked cabinets containing additional pills, and forced the pharmacist to assist them. After grabbing thousands of prescription medicines – including Oxycodone, morphine, amphetamine, and Nucynta – Henderson and the two co-conspirators fled in a black Nissan Altima operated by a fourth co-conspirator. At one point, the Nissan collided with a responding police officer’s patrol car but continued at high speed back to Washington D.C.
After returning to the District, as they celebrated at a hotel, one of the co-conspirators received a text from a known drug distributor asking the price for a drug of the same type stolen from Neptune, New Jersey. The co-conspirator and the drug distributor continued to exchange texts about the sale of drugs for the following weeks.
Henderson is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Maryland in connection with his 2022 possession of a firearm.
The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force and the Neptune Township Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by AUSAs Justin Song, Sarah Martin and Cameron Tepfer.
The victim of a fatal stabbing in Hackney has been named as 20-year-old Jason Junior Romeo.
Police were called to reports of an altercation in Bodney Road, E5 at 17:59hrs on Tuesday, 18 February. Officers and the London Ambulance Service worked to treat Jason at the scene but he sadly died as a result of a stab wound.
Two men in their 20s have been arrested and remain in police custody.
Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, leading the investigation in Hackney, said: “Jason had his whole life ahead of him but this senseless attack has taken that from both him and his loved ones. Our continued thoughts go out to his family, who are being supported by specialist officers.
“If anyone saw this incident, or was nearby, please do share that information with officers. We are especially interested in any footage from the surrounding area.”
The public can contact the police via 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with any information, reference CAD 5635/18Feb.
A crime scene will remain in place until the forensic investigation has concluded.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who leads policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, said: “It is absolutely devastating for Jason’s family and extremely distressing for our communities that another young life has been taken away as a consequence of knife crime. We continue to work closely with our local community partners and Hackney Council to tackle the causes and effects of knife crime.
“I repeat an appeal I have sadly had to make too frequently. If any young person feels they need to carry a knife please speak to a parent, carer, teacher, youth leader or adult you trust and we can get you the support to step back from that decision safely.
“I will have additional uniformed and plain clothed officers working in the area as a consequence of this tragic event. While the investigation continues to work to understand the motive for this attack, we will work tirelessly to reduce the risk of any further violence.”
EVANSVILLE— Ethan Parker, 31 and Joshua Harvey 33, of Evansville, have been sentenced for their parts in a fentanyl trafficking scheme. Parker was sentenced to four years in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession and distribution of a tableting machine. Harvey was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, between January 1, 2022, and April 4, 2022, Parker and Harvey conspired together to manufacture and distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl laced pills to individuals in and around the city of Evansville.
In the furtherance of the conspiracy, on multiple occasions in February and March of 2022, Harvey sold fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills in Evansville, Indiana, and Henderson, Kentucky. On March 23, 2022, Parker, communicating through an encrypted messaging application, agreed to sell Harvey 100 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills for $350. On April 4, 2022, Harvey possessed approximately 31.9 grams of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills with the intent to distribute them to dealers.
On August 25, 2021, Parker sold a blue pill press, along with an Alprazolam imprinting die, for $1,400, knowing that the pill press would be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The die could be used to manufacture counterfeit Alprazolam (Xanax). On April 4, 2022, Parker was found in possession of another pill press and pill imprinting dies of various shapes and imprints for use in the manufacture of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills.
“Fentanyl dealers value their profits far more than the lives of our families and neighbors,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “We must fight to save lives by investigating and prosecuting criminals who exploit the epidemic of substance use disorder to satisfy their own greed. Our office, the DEA, and the Evansville Police Department are committed to holding fentanyl traffickers accountable for pushing deadly poison on our streets.”
“The charges against Mr. Parker and Mr. Harvey were necessary and justified. This case exemplified high level investigative work conducted by the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force in collaboration with the DEA Evansville HIDTA Task Force,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon. “Mr. Parker and Mr. Harvey were responsible for distributing significant quantities of fake pills containing fentanyl. In addition, the investigation led to the seizure of two pill presses capable of manufacturing fake Xanax pills and fentanyl pills. Taking two pill presses off the streets is a major win for our community. The DEA remains committed to working hand-in-hand with our partners to hold reckless drug dealers, who peddle poison to our communities, accountable for their actions and make our community safer.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young. This prosecution is part of the Indiana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.
Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage—a tiny amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil. Seven out of ten illegal fentanyl tablets seized from U.S. streets and analyzed by the DEA have been found to contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
CONCORD – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Concord to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.
Juan Ramon Soto Baez, 55, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, namely, cocaine and fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2025. On April 26, 2023, the defendant was charged along with 20 other defendants. To date, 10 defendants involved in the conspiracy have been convicted.
According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, the defendant was the leader of a Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in New Hampshire, particularly Manchester, between September of 2019 and April of 2023. The organization was run like a business, operating “dispatch” telephone lines where customers could call in to order narcotics. The defendant or a trusted member of the conspiracy working for him would take customer orders on the phone, and then he would either deliver the order himself or send a runner to conduct the drug sale at an arranged meeting location.
During the timeframe of the conspiracy, law enforcement agents observed and recorded the defendant and his co-conspirators selling fentanyl and cocaine on nineteen occasions. On the day of the defendant’s arrest, a search of a residence associated with the conspiracy yielded $15,000 and drug ledgers. A search of a vehicle used by the drug trafficking organization yielded roughly 94 grams of fentanyl and 196 grams of cocaine packaged in small baggies for distribution.
The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the 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.
Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that a federal jury has found Tryon Metteria Byrd IV (45, Valrico) guilty of conspiring to distribute, and distributing, methamphetamine and cocaine. Byrd faces a minimum penalty 5 five years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 14, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Byrd and his co-conspirators distributed methamphetamine and cocaine out of three residences in St. Petersburg. Byrd sold directly to undercover detectives from the St. Petersburg Police Department from a residence owned by his family.
Byrd’s co-conspirators, Eric L. Lemon, Eric Lekent Lemon Jr., and Dominic Giannantonio pleaded guilty and have been sentenced for their roles in the drug conspiracy. Lemon was sentenced to 21 years and 6 months in federal prison, Lemon Jr. was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months’ imprisonment, and Giannantonio was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in prison.
This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.
This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. 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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
One Hospital Entered Lockdown and Partially Evacuated After Defendant’s Bomb Hoax
Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Domagoj Patkovic pleaded guilty to conspiring to make threats concerning explosives and conveying false information concerning explosives. The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ramon E. Reyes. When sentenced, Patkovic faces up to 15 years in prison. Patkovic was charged in August 2024.
John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.
“As he admitted today, the defendant intentionally targeted Jewish hospitals and care centers in our District with bomb threats. In doing so, he needlessly endangered patients and staff and diverted critical law enforcement resources from their core mission of keeping our community safe,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “We will prosecute dangerous bomb threats and swatting schemes to the fullest extent of the law.”
Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, the New York City Police Department, Nassau County Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon for their assistance on the case.
As set forth in the indictment and in court filings, beginning at least as early as May 2021, the defendant and others made anonymous phone calls in which they made violent threats, including threats to detonate explosive devices, to Jewish hospitals and care centers within the Eastern District of New York, among other targets throughout the United States.
The defendant himself made threats in at least six separate calls to hospitals and on a call with local law enforcement who had responded to a 911 notification from one of the hospitals. The defendant livestreamed the calls to others on an online social media and electronic communications service. On several occasions, local police responded to the scene and conducted bomb sweeps. On at least one occasion in September 2021, the hoax bomb threat resulted in a partial evacuation and lockdown of an entire hospital on Long Island. No explosive devices were ultimately found in any of the locations.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security & Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon, Laura Zuckerwise and Andrew D. Reich are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colon.
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay has condemned anti-choice protests taking place today outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow, with the first arrest reported under the Safe Access Zones legislation.
Ms Mackay introduced the bill that secured 200 metre wide safe access zones, or buffer zones, around abortion service providers to stop the intimidating anti-choice protests that have taken place across Scotland.
The Daily Record has also reported that US anti-choice campaign group 40 Days for Life have listed protests in Glasgow starting next month.
“The protests that have taken place outside Queen Elizabeth have been utterly shameful and I am grateful to Police Scotland for acting so quickly.
“This kind of intimidation has no place in a modern or progressive Scotland. Everybody deserves to have access to healthcare without harassment. That is why I introduced my Act, and why these disgraceful protests are now illegal.
“We know the awful impact that these protests have had. Some of the testimonies from women who have had to endure them have been heartbreaking.
“I urge 40 Days For Life and anyone else who is planning to protest in a safe access zone to think again, as they will be stopped and there will be consequences.”
Ms Mackay added:
“It’s no coincidence that this has happened so soon after JD Vance and his supporters have spread toxic misinformation about Scotland, it is vital that we stand up for reproductive rights and against those who are working to undermine them.”
Tampa, FL — Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court filings, Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s home and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, most of which were later adopted by new owners, as well as a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo also possessed dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.
“To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”
“Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG).
Photo of dogs at Carrillo’s home, from court documents in United State v. Jose Carrillo, number 8:23-CR-00222, in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Photo of a bloodstained dog fighting pit at Carrillo’s home, from court documents in United State v. Jose Carrillo, number 8:23-CR-00222, in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s complaint hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on February 18, 2025, to a charge of child exploitation, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Brandon Jennings, 38, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti to one count of possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, in and around March 2021 and July 2021, Jennings possessed 926 images and 803 videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, some of whom were prepubescent.
Judge Flowers Conti scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2025. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Jennings.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Thomas Thornton, 48, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about December 19, 2024, Thornton possessed a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of multiple prior felonies, including on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
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.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
RENO – A former Reno Police Department officer made his initial court appearance today for allegedly depriving two individuals of their civil rights under color of law by violating their right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tyler Michael Baehr, 30, of Reno, with two counts of depravation of rights under color of law. Baehr appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Craig S. Denney who scheduled a jury trial to begin April 8, 2025, before United States District Judge Miranda M. Du.
According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made in court, on December 31, 2023, Baehr willfully deprived an individual of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by taking her cellular phone during a routine traffic stop and unlawfully seizing sexually explicit photos of her from her phone. On August 12, 2024, Baehr willfully deprived another individual of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by taking her cellular phone during a routine traffic stop and unlawfully searching through her private photos and messages.
If convicted, Baehr faces the maximum statutory penalty of 2 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy N. Schwartz for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Sparks Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court filings, Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s home and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, most of which were later adopted by new owners, as well as a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo also possessed dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.
“To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”
“Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG).
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s complaint hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Seattle – A 42-year-old Los Angeles County, California man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two years in prison for abusive sexual contact aboard an aircraft enroute to Seattle from Burbank, California, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Justin Baker was arrested March 14, 2024, when the Alaska Airlines plane arrived at SEA. Baker has been in custody since the jury returned its guilty verdict on October 23, 2024. At sentencing U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour imposed the maximum sentence allowed by law saying, “I was particularly struck by the candor of the victim and her bravery in testifying.”
“This was a calculated and predatory sexual assault on an 18-year-old girl,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “Mr. Baker underestimated the victim’s strength in testifying, as well as the commitment we have in the Western District of Washington to hold these aircraft offenders accountable.”
According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, Baker was in the middle seat, with the victim seated to his right next to the wall of the plane. Baker learned the victim was preparing to go to college and was just 18 years old. According to testimony at trial, Baker showed the teen sexually explicit text messages he had on his phone and then draped his jacket over his lap as well as her lower body. The victim attempted to move away from Baker and closer to the wall. He reached under the jacket and groped her leg. Despite the victim saying “No” and moving away when he first tried to touch her, he continued to grope her genitals over her clothing. Then he reached into her top and groped her breast
Ultimately, the victim got out of her seat to contact the flight crew. As she tried to pass by Baker, he groped her buttocks and pulled her back down into her seat. Ultimately the victim was able to leave and report the assault.
Speaking in court today, Assistant United States Attorney Grace Zoller said Baker, “treated the victim like an object… He dehumanized her.”
The victim shared how the assault has “shattered the trajectory of her life.” She told the court about anxiety around airports and flying, and how her family and loved ones “have watched me change in ways I have never imagined.” Her goal she said is to “hold Baker accountable.”
Judge Coughenour said he was imposing the maximum two-year sentence because of the “seriousness of the crime, the harm to the victim and the danger (Baker) poses to the community.”
When released from prison, Baker will be on five years of federal supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Port of Seattle Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Grace Zoller.
BOSTON – Two men have been arrested for allegedly conspiring to distribute cocaine.
Erick Sandoval-Perez, 43, a Guatemalan national living in Malden, was charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Christhian Castillo, 32, also of Malden, was charged with distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine and conspiracy to commit that offense. Sandoval-Perez and Castillo had initial appearances and a detention hearing in federal court in Worcester, and were ordered held pending further proceedings.
Sandoval-Perez and Castillo allegedly worked together to sell cocaine on several occasions to an undercover law enforcement officer. On Feb. 12, 2025, Sandoval-Perez allegedly arranged to sell a kilogram of cocaine to an undercover. Castillo was arrested when he allegedly handed the kilogram of cocaine to the undercover, and Sandoval-Perez was arrested nearby.
According to court records, Sandoval-Perez, is a Guatemalan national who was previously deported from the United States and allegedly re-entered illegally.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The charges of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of cocaine, and conspiracy to commit that offense, carry a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, supervised release of at least four years and a fine of up to $5,000,000. Sandoval-Perez is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Chief Ryan Malatos of the Leominster Police Department; and Chief Brian W. Coyne of the Clinton Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Malden Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Defendant sold thousands of the counterfeit “Adderall” pills supplied by the Asian Boyz gang
BOSTON – A Lowell man pleaded guilty on Feb. 14, 2025 to trafficking methamphetamine pills supplied by three fellow Asian Boyz gang associates.
Bill Phim, a/k/a “Bonez,” 36, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine, and two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for May 14, 2025.
A long-term investigation proved that Asian Boyz gang members and associates had access to a plentiful supply of homemade methamphetamine pills marketed as the pharmaceutical product, Adderall. These pills were similar in shape, size, and appearance to genuine Adderall. On 12 different dates in 2022, Phim sold these counterfeit “Adderall” pills to an undercover agent. In total, Phim sold the undercover agent over 10,000 pills for more than $36,000.
Phim’s supplier for the first five pill deals with the undercover agent was Asian Boyz gang member, Erickson Dao. Between February and May 2022, Dao gave Phim the pills from his home in Lowell shortly before Phim was planning to meet the undercover agent for the sales. After the deals, Phim either returned to Dao’s house to split the cash paid by the undercover agent, or he used an electronic payments service to send Dao his share of the drug proceeds.
For the next five deals, Phim conspired with Asian Boyz gang associate, Brian Gingras, to source the pills. Between May 2022 and September 2022, Gingras met Phim prior to the planned deals with the undercover agent to deliver the pills personally. The investigation revealed that Gingras was stashing the pills in a nearby storage unit.
For the final two pill sales with the undercover agent, alleged Asian Boyz gang member Marcus Holder allegedly delivered pills to Phim in Lowell immediately before Phim met the undercover agent, on Sept. 30, 2022, and again on Oct. 18, 2022.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of methamphetamine. The charges of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million.
In January 2025, both Gingras and Dao pleaded guilty. Gingras is scheduled to be sentenced on April 15, 2025. Dao is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2025. Holder has pleaded not guilty and his case is pending trial.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division and Superintendent Gregory C. Hudon of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Billerica, Haverhill, North Andover and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce 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 is also 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 in the case is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court filings, Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s home and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, most of which were later adopted by new owners, as well as a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo also possessed dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.
“To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”
“Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG).
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s complaint hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners.
Jose Miguel Carrillo, of Spring Hill, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the dog fighting prohibitions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court filings, Carrillo conspired with others to purchase, acquire, and breed dogs for use in dog fights. Carillo also staged dog fights at his home and traveled to dog fights in Massachusetts, Florida, and Connecticut.
A June 2023 search warrant was executed at Carrillo’s home and led to the seizure of 10 pit bull-type dogs, most of which were later adopted by new owners, as well as a firearm and ammunition. Carrillo also possessed dog fighting paraphernalia including a bloodstained dog fighting box, a skin stapler, syringes, and injectable veterinary medications.
“To its core, dog fighting is a cruel and criminal exploitation of animals for entertainment,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Today’s sentence sends a strong deterrent message that the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute these cases.”
“Exploiting and endangering the welfare of animals for personal gain is cruel and abhorrent,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney for the Middle District of Florida. “Because of the hard work of our law enforcement partners, justice was served.”
“The Office of Inspector General is committed to working with all of our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in pursuing individuals who choose to participate in animal fighting activities and engage in violations involving animal welfare, while also committing other serious offenses in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG).
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the USDA-OIG’s complaint hotline at: usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The USDA-OIG; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Pasco County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office and the Fitchburg (Massachusetts) Police Department investigated the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Senior Trial Attorney Matthew T. Morris of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Favorit and Tiffany Fields for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Trial Attorney Caitlyn Cook of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section assisted with the transfer of the seized dogs to new owners.
More than £37,000 of illegal tobacco, vapes and cash was seized by Trading Standards officers during a recent operation.
The five-week operation during January and February saw officers from the Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, supported by Devon and Cornwall Police and Avon and Somerset Police, look for illegal tobacco.
During the operation officers visited 14 shops across the region including in Brixham, Crediton, Kingsbridge, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Plymouth, Taunton, Teignmouth and Wellington.
They used detection dogs to look for hidden stashes.
Only one shop was found to not be selling illegal products. All but one of the 14 shops were found to be selling illegal products.
Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said: “The removal of illegal tobacco and vapes from the marketplace is a high priority for us and we have conducted a number of intelligence-led operations over the last few weeks.
“The service uses detection dogs so regardless of where it is hidden, in a storage container or retail premises, the dogs have the ability to sniff out even small quantities of tobacco and vapes that are hidden from view.
“The sale of counterfeit and illicit tobacco and illegal vapes is big business and those shops involved can undercut other local general stores who are trying to operate legally during difficult economic conditions.”
Councillor Sally Haydon, Cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: “We are working hard to make Plymouth a healthier city and removing cheap, illegal tobacco and vapes from our shops is a high priority.
“This is not a victimless crime. The availability of these products at pocket money prices encourages children to start smoking and vaping and the proceeds are often used to fund other criminal activities.
“We are finding increasingly elaborate methods to hide illegal tobacco but no matter where it’s hidden on the premises our detection dogs can find it.”
Investigations into those premises found selling the items are ongoing. To report concerns of counterfeit or other illegal products email [email protected] or phone 01392 383000.
The holiday spirit was in full swing this season as the 14th annual Toys for the North campaign delivered over 28,000 toys to children in remote communities across Canada. Organized by the RCMP and supported by a network of dedicated partners, the campaign highlights the power of teamwork and generosity in spreading joy to underserved areas.
This year’s effort was made possible through the collective work of numerous organizations and volunteers. After months of coordination, thousands of donated toys were collected at Thomson Terminals Ltd. in Toronto, where they were stored and packaged with care. From there, Gardwine, North Star Air, and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) ensured the toys reached their final destinations in Northern Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
In December, RCMP members got the best gift of all—delivering the toys to children, and spreading holiday cheer across Canada’s North. This incredible initiative provided over $615,000 worth of toys to communities, thanks to the Canadian Toy Association, Thomson Terminals Limited, North Star Air, Gardewine, and the RCAF, without whom this initiative would not be possible.
Sgt. Angelique Dignard, who has led the campaign for the past three years, expressed her gratitude for the dedication and support of all involved: “It’s truly inspiring to see how much we can accomplish when we work together. Each toy delivered represents a moment of joy and a touch of magic for each child during the holiday season. Last year we were able to deliver gifts from coast-to-coast for the first time, and this year, we had our largest donation of toys to date. I’m incredibly proud of everyone involved, and on behalf of the communities, thank you to everyone for your generosity and hard work.”
The Toys for the North campaign demonstrates the RCMP’s commitment to building meaningful connections with communities, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
As this year’s campaign wraps up, the RCMP and its partners thank everyone who contributed their time, effort, and resources to bring holiday magic to thousands of children. Together, we’ve made a difference—one toy at a time.
A serving police officer has been sentenced after being convicted of assaulting a person known to her.
Officers from the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards investigated two assaults, which took place on 15 October 2022 in Essex and 3 November 2022 in Haringey, when PC Brown was off duty.
PC Rachael Brown, attached to the Met’s North West Command Unit, was charged on 11 July 2024 and found guilty of two counts of assault on 19 December at Highbury Magistrates’ Court. She was sentenced at the same court on 18 February to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and a two-year restraining order.
Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, the senior officer responsible for policing in north-west London said: “There is no place in the Met for officers who commit criminal offences. Any allegations will be thoroughly investigated and where appropriate brought before the courts.
“PC Brown was suspended from duty in July. Following this outcome, misconduct proceedings will now commence.”
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam Crawford, Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, University of Leeds, and Chair in Policing and Social Justice, University of York
The UK government has doubled the additional funding for neighbourhood policing in England and Wales to £200 million. This is to support its commitment to putting 13,000 new police officers on the streets.
High-profile cases and scandals have eroded trust in police in the UK. According to some metrics, it is at its lowest level in 20 years. But the key to repairing it could be through neighbourhood policing. After all, this is where most people’s interactions with police happen.
The government clearly understands this, hence the extra funding – but how do we make sure that the new recruits are delivering a good policing service?
My colleagues and I within the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre (University of York and University of Leeds) have recently published research that shows police are failing to meet the public’s minimum standards of service delivery.
With Professor Ben Bradford, we developed a framework for a “minimum policing standard”. This is a list of things that members of the public, when asked, think the police should simply be able to do as a minimum standard under normal circumstances.
We asked focus groups around the country – a total of 93 people – to identify what “good” or “effective” policing meant to them. Members of the public felt very strongly that, at minimum, police should be responsive, fair and respectful, as well as engaged and visibly present.
Interestingly, people were more concerned with how policing is conducted, the quality of the treatment people receive, and the relationship between the police and the communities they serve, than with particular outcomes.
The three areas that our respondents thought were most important to the minimum standard were:
Response: the way police respond to calls for service, follow up and address crime.
Behaviour and treatment: the ways officers and the police as an organisation treat individuals and communities.
Presence and engagement of police in neighbourhoods.
How are the police doing?
We then conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,484 respondents across Britain, and found that they viewed police to be failing across all three areas.
Less than 30% of people were confident that police are open and transparent with the decisions they make, prioritise the crimes most affecting the respondents’ community, and provide adequate follow-up after a crime has been committed.
While a majority of our respondents had confidence that police would treat people with respect, less than half thought that police were good role models, or that they built good relationships with the community or with young people. However, the public still retained significant trust in the idea of “the police” as a whole – which gives me and my colleagues hope that things can improve.
The government’s efforts to reverse declining confidence in police focus on three aspects: internal reform, fighting crime and revitalising neighbourhood policing. Though all of these are important, our research suggests that the last is the most vital.
Trust in police has consequences for crime too. Research shows that people are more likely to report crime and cooperate with investigations when they feel that the police are fair and respectful.
Declining officer numbers and experience
Between 2010 and 2018, police officer numbers declined from 143,734 to 122,405 across England and Wales, an overall loss of over 21,000 officers. Since 2019, this has increased back up to 147,746 by March 2024. But it means that we now have a police workforce that is both younger and less experienced. In March 2024, more than one in three police officers had less than five years’ service.
The Home Office said that the additional £100 million in funding “reflects the scale of the challenges that many forces face” in building out their neighbourhood policing teams. This funding is to help them reach the aim of putting those extra 13,000 officers on the street by 2029.
But these new recruits will again be inexperienced, and may not have developed the appropriate social, interpersonal and problem-solving skills to ensure that standards are met in all instances. This could lead to mistakes that set public confidence and trust in policing back further.
One way to address this would be to limit the range of social problems that police are expected to respond to. Too often, the police are called upon to manage a host of social ills and vulnerable people. They are often filling gaps left by the withdrawal of other public and third sector services, such as mental health services, exacerbated by austerity.
Yet there has been little critical assessment of what problems the state is asking the police to solve, and whether the police are really the best suited to solve them. Greater clarity about the limited role of the police would help avoid raising unrealistic expectations, and focus attention on the minimum standards that people want from local policing.
Our research suggests that if police meet a minimum standard in their neighbourhood interactions with the public (the small things), then the public will be more likely to trust police to be fair and trustworthy when it comes to big and complex things like serious organised crime, counter-terrorism and violent offending.
Adam Crawford receives funding from ESRC, Centre Grant number: ES/W002248/1.
He is a member of the Police Science Council, a publicly appointed committee that is one of the Scientific Advisory Councils of the UK government, which provides independent advice to the National Police Chiefs’ Council in the UK on science, technology, analysis and research matters relevant to policing policy and operations.
Following is a question by the Hon Gary Zhang and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (February 19):Question: A central repository of criminal records in Hong Kong is maintained by the Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System, which is managed by the Criminal Records Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). According to publicly available information, the list of Recordable Offences (the list) has been updated as of December 2003. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:(1) whether the HKPF has updated the list since 2004; if so, of a breakdown of the offences newly-added and removed by date of update;(2) given that the Government, in its reply to a question from a Member of this Council on April 13, 2016, indicated that the relevant information would be made available to the public by the HKPF upon completion of the review of the list, whether the review has been completed; if it has been completed, when the HKPF will make public the list, and whether it has considered making public the updated list on a regular basis; if it has not been completed, of the reasons for that;(3) of the principles or considerations adopted by the HKPF in revising the list of offences; and(4) Whether the HKPF will review the list regularly; if so, of the timetable; if not, the reasons for that?Reply:President, Under section 59 of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) may retain all identifying particulars of a person who has been arrested for or convicted of an offence. Such records are kept primarily for the purpose of assisting the Police in discharging their statutory duties of preventing, detecting and investigating crimes. The reply to the Member’s question is as follows:(1) Since 2004, the HKPF has made 29 amendments to the list of Recordable Offences (the list). Please refer to the Annex for details.(2) The HKPF has completed the review of the list, and has made the latest list public(see www.police.gov.hk/info/doc/List_of_offences_kept_in_police_convictio_records_en.pdf for details).(3) In amending the list, the HKPF follows a number of guiding principles, which include:
the gravity of the offence; the prevalence of the offence; the harm that has been or could be inflicted on persons or properties; whether heavier penalty could be imposed under the law upon a second or subsequent conviction of such an offence; and whether the offence is purely regulatory in nature.
Apart from the above principles, where a term of imprisonment, including a suspended sentence, is imposed upon conviction for any offence, that conviction will be recorded irrespective of whether the offence is on the list.(4) The HKPF will continue to review and revise the list from time to time in response to the implementation of new legislations and changes in the existing laws.
Ends/Wednesday, February 19, 2025Issued at HKT 14:05
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
LCQ17: Cracking down on online defamation and cyber-bullying LCQ17: Cracking down on online defamation and cyber-bullying ************************************************************
Following is a question by Prof the Hon Chow Man-kong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (February 19): Question: In September 2023, the Mainland issued the Guiding Opinions on Punishing Illegal and Criminal Acts of Cyberviolence in accordance with the Law (the Opinions), with a view to punishing illegal and criminal activities of cyberviolence in accordance with the law, effectively safeguarding citizens’ rights and interests, and maintaining order in the cyberspace. There are views that the Government should draw on the experience and improve the legislation concerned. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the respective numbers of persons who were prosecuted and convicted in each of the past three years for allegedly disseminating inappropriate information or making inappropriate speech on the Internet (including contravening data protection principles under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486), and committing offences such as criminal intimidation, blackmail or defamation, etc.), and set out the details of each case by the nature of crimes; (2) given that it has been reported that the Government has completed a consultancy study on addressing the issue of false information, whether the authorities have examined if the existing legislation is adequate in combating false information, defamation and bullying behaviour in the cyberspace; if they have, of the details; and (3) given that the Opinions stresses that “the focus must be on cracking down on malicious initiators, organizers, malicious promoters, and those who refuse to take corrective action after repeated education”, and crimes committed under specific circumstances (such as cyberviolence committed against a minor or disabled person, and cyberviolence committed by organizing an “Internet water army” and “thugs”) “carry a harsh penalty in accordance with the law”, whether the authorities will make reference to the aforesaid principles in reviewing and updating the existing legislation, particularly focusing on Internet users who publicly or privately make speech not based on facts and intend to launch malicious attacks, and add a provision to enable victims to recover losses through legal channels from users or service providers who publish defamatory statements, so as to combat defamation and bullying behaviour online in a more targeted manner; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that? Reply:President, The Internet is not an unreal world that is beyond the law. As far as the existing legislation in Hong Kong is concerned, most of the laws enacted to prevent crimes in the real world are in principle applicable to the online world, including social media and mobile communication softwares. Any illegal acts involving criminal offences would be regulated by the relevant legislation, regardless of whether such acts occur online. After consulting the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau and the Department of Justice (DoJ), consolidated reply in response to the Member’s question is provided as follows: (1) Disseminating inappropriate information or making inappropriate remarks on the Internet may constitute an offence under section 64 of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (PDPO), which provides for disclosure of personal data without consent, commonly known as the “doxxing” offence. Since the offence came into effect in October 2021, as at December 31, 2024, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data arrested a total of 63 persons, with 32 of them being convicted. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducted investigations targeting the offence of doxxing causing specified harm to the data subject or any family member of the data subject under section 64(3C) of the PDPO. As at the third quarter of 2024, 34 persons were arrested, with 18 of them being convicted. According to the records of the DoJ, no prosecution for “publishing libel known to be false” provided under section 5 of the Defamation Ordinance (Cap. 21) was initiated in the past three years. As of the third quarter of 2024, a total of 1 006 persons have been prosecuted for offences such as criminal intimidation under section 24 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200) or blackmail under section 23 of the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210), of which 450 have been convicted. The above figures include cases committed on the Internet. The Government does not maintain breakdown of online and offline figures. (2) HYAB has earlier hired consultant to study the experiences and measures of other countries and regions in dealing with false information. According to information provided by HYAB, the Government has completed a consultancy study on how to deal with false information, and will continue to closely monitor the issue of false information. Generally speaking, the dissemination of information by the media in Hong Kong has improved compared to the past, but this does not mean that we do not need to be wary of false information and other online defamation and bullying. (3) As mentioned in the first part of the reply, the existing laws in Hong Kong for preventing crimes are, in principle, applicable to the online world and the above-mentioned relevant offences are applicable to online conduct. Making inappropriate comments online may also constitute other offences, such as contravention of the data protection principles as set out in Schedule 1 of the PDPO. As regards online remarks or information which are not based on facts, there are mechanisms under the existing legal framework demanding the removal of inappropriate messages to combat online defamation and cyber-bullying. For instance, under section 159AAL of the Crimes Ordinance, in cases where intimate images (including falsified ones that have been altered) are published without consent, the court, having regard to the circumstances, may order the defendant or any other persons to remove, delete or destroy the intimate images concerned. Section 66M of the PDPO also empowers the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data to demand actions to cease disclosure of “doxxing” contents. Upon noticing the circulation of inappropriate messages on the Internet, the HKPF will actively investigate and take enforcement action in a timely manner. They will also require service providers to remove the messages as appropriate. The parties concerned may also apply to the High Court for an injunction as and where necessary. The Government reinstates that members of the public have to act legally and responsibly when using the Internet, and should not commit any criminal offence. We will devote full efforts to crack down unlawful acts on the Internet, and take enforcement actions in accordance with the existing legislation, as well as to review the applicability and effectiveness of the laws from time to time.
Ends/Wednesday, February 19, 2025Issued at HKT 12:30
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Rock Chen and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (February 19):Question: It is learnt that in recent years, more and more people with disabilities and elderly people with impaired mobility have chosen to use electric wheelchairs as a substitute for traditional manual wheelchairs. However, it has been reported that an electric wheelchair user collided with a motorcycle in July last year, arousing public concern about the safety of electric wheelchairs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:(1) of the number of cases in which the Police (i) issued advice to electric wheelchair users and (ii) instituted prosecutions against electric wheelchair users for contravening traffic regulations in each of the past three years, as well as the respective reasons for issuing such advice and instituting such prosecutions;(2) as the Consumer Council has earlier on recommended that the Government tighten regulation of the use of electric wheelchairs, including limiting their maximum travelling speed, requiring users to take out insurance, etc, whether the Government will, in accordance with the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), formulate regulations on the use of electric wheelchairs for outdoor travel (e.g. restrictions on the modification of electric wheelchairs, loading requirements, insurance requirements, fire safety standards, prohibition on the carriage of passengers, and maximum speed limits), so as to protect the safety of electric wheelchair users and other road users; if so, of the specific details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that; and(3) as there are views that pavements in many districts in Hong Kong are so narrow that electric wheelchair users may easily come into conflict with pedestrians due to competition for road space, whether relevant government departments will provide additional barrier-free facilities for electric wheelchair users when planning and constructing roads for new towns and new development areas in the future; if so, of the specific details and timetable; if not, the reasons for that?Reply:President, Having consulted the Health Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force (Police) and the Transport Department (TD) in respect of electric wheelchair, my reply to the various parts of the question raised by the Hon Rock Chen is as follows:(1) The Police does not maintain statistics on enforcement against electric wheelchair users.(2) Proper use of electric wheelchairs can help ensure the safety of both the wheelchair users and others. The allied health professionals of Hospital Authority (HA) hospitals, when prescribing electric wheelchairs, will teach patients how to use the wheelchairs safely and correctly according to the needs of individual patients. In addition, the Community Rehabilitation Service Support Centre under the HA provides systematic group training for electric wheelchair users so that they could familiarise the skills and attitudes of using the wheelchairs safely in order to cope with different situations including using public transport and public facilities and handling outdoor obstacles. Under section 4(8) of the Summary Offences Ordinance (Cap. 228), it is an offence if any person, in any public place, drives recklessly or negligently or at a speed or in a manner which is dangerous to the public. As regards the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374), as it seeks to regulate road traffic and the use of vehicles, it is not suitable for further regulation of electric wheelchairs. Nevertheless, the TD will continue to help promoting the safe use of electric wheelchairs to enhance the safety of road users (including pedestrians).(3) It is the Government’s established policy objective to provide barrier-free environment for people in need (including manual or electric wheelchair users) with a view to enabling them to access premises and make use of the facilities and services therein on an equal basis with others, thereby facilitating them to live independently and integrate into the community. In planning the pedestrian network in new towns and new development areas, the Government will fully consider the needs of pedestrians (including wheelchair users and other people in need), provide footpaths of sufficient width and set up appropriate pedestrian crossing facilities to enhance the travel experience of wheelchair users and other pedestrians. The Government will keep in contact with organisations of persons with disabilities, and pay heed to their views on the circumstances which they encounter in the daily use of barrier-free access and facilities.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Suspicious website related to DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited Suspicious website related to DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited **********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited relating to a suspicious website, which has been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website. The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks’ websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks). Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the website concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.
Ends/Wednesday, February 19, 2025Issued at HKT 17:50
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuet-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (February 19):Question: Some members of the public have relayed that there has been an increase in the number of burglary crimes targeting low-density residential properties and shops in rural areas and suburbs, and the situation is even worse near Chinese New Year. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council: (1) of the numbers and detection rates of burglary crimes in each of the past five years, with a tabulated breakdown by the 18 districts in Hong Kong; the numbers of persons convicted of such crimes and, among them, the respective numbers of those who were minors and non-Hong Kong residents; (2) of the details of both the publicity activities on the prevention of burglary and joint operations against burglary crimes conducted by the Hong Kong Police Force in the whole year of 2024, as well as the effectiveness of such efforts; (3) of the details of the publicity activities conducted by the Fight Crime Committee and District Fight Crime Committees on the prevention of burglary in the whole year of 2024; and (4) whether the Government will review the existing mechanism on the prevention of burglary crimes, including whether it will consider installing smart lampposts fitted with cameras and subsidising village offices to install closed-circuit television monitoring systems or other appropriate alarm devices at major entrances and exits of villages so as to deter law-breakers? Reply: President, The Police pay close attention to burglary cases which occurred in different locations and premises. In addition to actively taking measures against such crimes, the Police have been providing home security and anti-burglary advice to the public through various channels. After consultation with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Home Affairs Department, our consolidated reply to the Member’s question is set out below: (1) The number of burglary cases and detection rates by Police Districts in the past five years (from 2020 to 2024) are set out in Annex I. Regarding the number of persons convicted, the number of persons convicted of burglary-related offences (i.e. burglary under section 11 and aggravated burglary under section 12 of the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210)) and, among them, the number of those who were minors or not holders of Hong Kong Identity Cards at the time of their first appearance, from 2020 to the third quarter of 2024, are set out in Annex II. (2) The Police adopt a multi-pronged approach to enhance the prevention and combating of burglary cases. In terms of enforcement, the Police have stepped up intelligence gathering and adopted an intelligence-led approach. They have increased high-profile patrols and stop-and-search operations in high-risk areas, such as village houses. Additionally, drones and helicopters from the Government Flying Service are deployed for nighttime aerial patrols and the pursuit of burglars. Roadblocks are also set up at different times and locations to stop and search suspicious vehicles or individuals, thereby enhancing deterrence. On the publicity front, to enhance public awareness, the Police have launched a one-stop platform, SafeCity.HK, to provide the public with crime prevention tips, including information on burglary prevention. The Police also conduct publicity through various channels, such as social media platforms, press conferences, OffBeat 360 and Offbeat 120s, to share with the public ways to enhance home security and encourage them to report to the Police any suspicious persons or behavior. The Police also organise regular seminars for different sectors (for example, members of the property management and security sectors, the retail industry, and so on) and distribute anti-burglary pamphlets to the public in conjunction with District Councils, Rural Committees, Area Committees and property management companies to enhance anti-burglary awareness from different perspectives. As a result of the Police’s vigorous efforts in combating burglary, the situation of burglary cases has improved significantly. In 2024, 1 220 burglary cases were reported, representing a decrease of 134 cases or 9.9 per cent compared to 2023, and the amount of loss was also reduced by 48 million Hong Kong Dollars or 25.5 per cent. The Police will continue with its related work, such as stepping up publicity during high-risk periods, such as the Chinese New Year and long holiday periods (e.g. using the Anti-crime Promotional Truck to visit different districts across the territory) to educate the public on the importance of and ways to prevent theft. (3) In response to burglary cases, the Fight Crime Committee (FCC) has adopted Beware of Burglary and Theft as the theme of one of its anti-crime publicity campaigns in 2024-25. The campaign will be launched through various media, including online advertisements and distribution of publicity materials such as door and window alarms, to remind members of the public to step up their home security to prevent burglary and theft. As for the District Fight Crime Committees (DFCCs), various DFCCs organised different publicity campaigns under the theme of Beware of Burglary and Theft in 2024, such as carnivals, seminars and design competitions; distribution of promotional souvenirs, leaflets, banners, etc; and placing advertisements on the backs of minibus chairs and on the lightboxes of bus shelters. The aim is to integrate messages about preventing burglary and theft into various aspects of citizens’ daily lives at the district level. (4) To further enhance law and order and combat crime in a comprehensive manner, the Police Force has started installing closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in various districts (including rural areas) in Hong Kong since April 2024. The installation points are located at traditional lampposts, smart lampposts and government buildings. 615 sets of cameras have been installed by the end of last year, with the first phase of installation to be completed within 2025 with a total of 2 000 sets of cameras. As at the end of 2024, the system has assisted the Police in detecting 122 cases, including serious crimes such as murder, robbery and burglary, with 202 arrests. Of the 16 burglary cases detected with the assistance of CCTV, half of them (eight cases) were solved within one day, demonstrating that CCTV has not only made investigations more effective, but has also greatly enhanced the efficiency of crime detection. Apart from assisting in crime detection, CCTV also has a deterrent effect on criminal behavior. In order to understand the relevant data, the Police have analysed the number of street crime cases for various types of crimes and found that they have dropped after the installation of CCTV. This shows that the scheme has brought about a very positive effect on crime prevention and elimination. The Police will progressively install CCTVs according to the crime rate or pedestrian flow of individual districts and locations (including rural areas), with a view to maximising the effectiveness of CCTVs in preventing and combating crime. In addition, the Police, in conjunction with the DFCCs, have also encouraged and assisted in the installation of CCTV systems in old low-security buildings. Police Districts also distribute door and window alarms to rural residents, so as to enhance the security level of residential premises.
The Mayor is responsible for overseeing a budget of over £20 billion, and published his final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2025-26 on Monday 17 February.1
Key changes from the original draft Consolidated Budget published last month include:
Gross additional funding of £130m, however £26m of this has been allocated to cover the additional NI costs introduced by the Government on all employees across the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group in the Autumn 2024 Budget, which has not been covered by further funding.
The additional funding is mainly from further Government funding for policing of £73m, business rates £39m, and council tax £14m.
The policing funding includes a one-off grant of £50m in 2024-25 that will be carried forward to spend in 2025-26.
The majority of the additional funding has been allocated to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) which receives £83m.
MOPAC has announced a projected net reduction of 1,479 officers by March 2026 and cuts to the Mounted branch, Dogs unit and closure of the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit. However, further calculations will be made to reflect the additional £83m announced in the Mayor’s final Draft Consolidated Budget.2
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee will meet to question the Mayor on his final draft budget.
Guests include:
Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
David Bellamy, Mayor’s Chief of Staff
Fay Hammond, Chief Finance Officer, GLA
The meeting will take place on Thursday 20 February from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.