NewzIntel.com

Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI Security: Burlington Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Conspiracy Charge

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

    DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Burlington man was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

    According to public court documents, Giovani Denario Timmons, 24, participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Burlington between December 2019 and November 2021. Timmons served as a source of supply along with Kendric Centrall Childs, 25. Timmons facilitated the transportation of methamphetamine to Iowa, including approximately 362 pounds of methamphetamine seized during a January 2020 traffic stop in Arizona. This traffic stop was the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s largest single seizure of ice methamphetamine at the time.[1] Timmons’s eight co-defendants, including Childs, were sentenced in 2022.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Timmons will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Burlington Police Department, Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, West Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Administration, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Johnson County Drug Taskforce, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Drug Taskforce, Muscatine County Drug Taskforce, Iowa State Patrol, and Arizona Department of Public Safety.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Wetaskiwin — Wetaskiwin RCMP Crime Reduction Unit arrest male with gun offences after ramming police car

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 27, 2025, members of the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit observed a Dodge Durango with a known offender who was a recent suspect in a firearms investigation driving around in Wetaskiwin. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, it fled. Police later observed the vehicle again pulling into a rural driveway off North Boundary Road. RCMP attempted to stop the vehicle however the vehicle rammed the police car and attempted to flee the area. RCMP observed the vehicle become disabled from the earlier contact with the police car and stop. All occupants in the vehicle were arrested. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded sawed off shot gun as well as stolen mail.

    RCMP have charged a 25-year-old individual, a resident of Maskwacis, with:

    • Drive a motor vehicle while prohibited;
    • Possession of identity documents;
    • Assaulting a peace officer with a weapon;
    • Weapons offences (x4);
    • Possession of property obtained by crime.

    The 25-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Jan. 28, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.

    RCMP have charged a 31-year-old individual, a resident of Maskwacis, with fail to comply with a release order.

    The 31-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Jan. 28, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Athabasca — Athabasca RCMP dismantle large scale chop shop make major recovery of stolen property – Update 2

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Athabasca RCMP respectfully requests that members of the public refrain from contacting Athabasca Detachment to inquire about potential found property. We understand the interest in recovering stolen items, and we are committed to ensuring property is returned to its rightful owners. RCMP investigators are currently in the process of identifying and cataloging recovered property, including vehicles and equipment. Owners will be contacted directly by police.

    Thank you for your cooperation as we continue this complex investigation. We remain committed to addressing property crime and protecting our communities.

    Background:

    Jan. 2, 2025

    Athabasca RCMP dismantle large scale chop shop make major recovery of stolen property – Update

    Athabasca RCMP has successfully recovered a substantial quantity of stolen property valued in the multi-million-dollar range as part of an ongoing investigation into rural property crime.

    On Dec. 29, 2024, Athabasca RCMP received a report from a member of the public that their vehicle had been stolen. The vehicle’s GPS tracking system indicated that it was located at a rural property, located on Township Road 670.5. Officers from Athabasca RCMP, K Division Auto Theft Unit, Eastern Alberta District (EAD) Crime Reduction Unit, and EAD General Investigations Section attended the property, and during their investigation and subsequent search warrant discovered a large number of stolen items including:

    • Multiple stolen vehicles, including semi-trucks and trailers
    • Off-road vehicles such as quads
    • Heavy equipment and parts

    Further investigation revealed evidence that the property was being used as a “chop shop”, where stolen vehicles and equipment were dismantled and repurposed for illegal resale.

    A 36-year-old individual, a resident of Athabasca, has been charged with the following offences:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
    • Alter/destroy/remove a Vehicle Identification Number

    The 36-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was released with conditions. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Athabasca.

    This recovery reflects the ongoing dedication of the RCMP to address property crime, particularly in rural areas where these thefts have significant impacts on residents and businesses. “The successful recovery of millions of dollars’ worth of stolen property, including semi-trucks, trailers, RV’s, and construction and oilfield equipment, highlights the critical role of community collaboration in combating property crime.” said S/Sgt. Mark Hall, Athabasca RCMP Detachment Commander. “Thanks to the diligence of a vigilant property owner who tracked their missing equipment and the meticulous investigation by the Athabasca RCMP members, we were able to uncover and recover this significant cache of stolen assets. This operation serves as a powerful example of how community members and law enforcement working together can achieve remarkable results in protecting property and holding offenders accountable.”

    As part of our commitment to addressing property crime, the RCMP would like to share the following tips that can aid in decreasing the risk of becoming a victim of property crime.

    • Store valuables out of sight and in secure locations
    • Secure vehicles and equipment with high-quality locks and immobilizers
    • Use GPS tracking devices on vehicles and heavy equipment
    • Install proper lighting and surveillance cameras on properties
    • Regularly document and photograph property, including serial numbers and other unique identifiers.

    If you have any information regarding property crime within the area of Athabasca please contact Athabasca RCMP at 780-675-4252. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: High Prairie — High Prairie RCMP locate wanted male

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 9, 2025, High Prairie RCMP began a project to target offenders on warrant in the area of High Prairie and utilized resources including Faust RCMP, Western Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (WAD CRU), the Provincial Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Alberta’s Emergency Response Team (ERT), High Level and Grande Prairie Police Dog Services (PDS), and RCMP Air Services.

    A 28-year-old individual, a resident of Atikameg, Alta., was located with a stolen vehicle in a forested area; all RCMP units were engaged, and the individual fled on foot.

    Police Dog Peyak, tracked the individual to a residence. All occupants exited the home safely before the individual was located and then arrested, inside the home, with no further incident.

    The individual was charged with 19 offenses, including:

    • Operating a motor vehicle while prohibited x3
    • Flight from police officer
    • Resist/obstruct police officer
    • Possession of property obtained by crime
    • Dangerous operation of motor vehicle
    • Failure to comply with probation order x2
    • Take motor vehicle without consent
    • Firearms offences x 12
    • Additionally, Grey was arrested for his 29 warrants

    The individual was brought before a justice of the peace, where he was remanded with a court date of Jan. 20, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in High Prairie.

    Additionally, RCMP seized several weapons, a firearm and an assortment of ammunition.

    The High Prairie RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the location of, or sightings of wanted persons or suspicious criminal behaviour in the area. Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to please contact the High Prairie RCMP at 780-523-3378 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New Bedford Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Fentanyl Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A New Bedford man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

    Vinicio DeJesus Marrero Arias, 40, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Arias will also be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence. In October 2024, Arias pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.

    Following an investigation into fentanyl trafficking in and around the Lord Phillips Apartments in New Bedford, Arias was identified as fentanyl distributors in the area. A search of Arias’ residence, as well as an apartment that was being used as a stash location and two storage units rented on behalf of Arias’s co-conspirator, Yohenry Contreras-Lara, resulted in the recovery of more than several hundred grams of fentanyl and $1.2 million in cash in suspected drug proceeds.

    Contreras-Lara pleaded guilty in November 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on March 3, 2025.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Bradley Parker, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the New Bedford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan Panich of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury finds local man guilty of crimes involving 2 local drug-related murders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CINCINNATI – A jury found a local man guilty on all counts for crimes related to two murders in Cincinnati during the summer of 2021. 

    Jamal Binford, 33, of Dallas and Cincinnati, was convicted of five counts as charged in a second superseding indictment. The verdict was announced yesterday afternoon following a trial that began on Jan. 15 before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett.

    According to court documents and trial testimony, Binford purported to manage two co-defendants as boxers, presenting himself as a boxing manager helping young men he wanted to help off the streets. Instead, he directed them to sell fentanyl and marijuana and, after assisting the coconspirators following one murder, he directed a second murder.

    Co-defendants Antwan Coach, Jr., 22, of Cincinnati, and Markel Hardy, 23, of Cincinnati, robbed and murdered Kamar Williams on July 5, 2021, in North College Hill. It is alleged Coach and Hardy robbed Mr. Williams of marijuana and a firearm and shot him to death.

    In August 2021, all three defendants conspired to murder a second victim, Deonte Nuckols, in St. Bernard in connection with a narcotics conspiracy involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl and five kilograms or more of cocaine.

    As the government outlined at trial, Binford paid the two other men to kill Mr. Nuckols, who had had been texting Binford that day about Binford paying a drug debt.

    Binford was arrested in February 2023 at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

    The narcotics conspiracy in this case includes 400 grams or more of fentanyl, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

    Binford faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison for participating in the narcotics conspiracy, being an accessory after the fact, murder in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy, use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and use of a firearm to commit murder.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa A. Theetge; North College Hill Police Chief Ryan Schrand; and St. Bernard Police Chief Michael Simos announced the verdicts. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division also aided during the investigation.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato and OCDETF Deputy Criminal Chief Frederic C. Shadley represented the United States in this case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced for Illegal Re-Entry by a Removed Alien

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS – MAURILIO JASTINTO-JUAREZ (“JASTINTO-JUAREZ”), age 50, a citizen  of Mexico, was sentenced on  January 27, 2025 for illegal reentry by a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.  He was sentenced to (6) six months imprisonment, (1) one year of supervised release and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee. 

    According to court documents, JASTINTO-JUAREZ, illegally reentered the United States after being previously removed on December 16, 2022.  JASTINTO-JUAREZ was discovered in the United States when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) systems became alerted to his presence via the collection of his  fingerprints by the Louisiana State Police (“LSP”).  The LSP obtained his fingerprints subsequent to their arrest of him for driving while intoxicated in Houma, La. on March 17, 2024.

    U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Louisiana State Police, and the Terrebonne Sherriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New York City Resident Sentenced to Six Years of Prison for Role in Interstate Methamphetamine Trafficking Operation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Queens, New York, was sentenced in federal court to six years of imprisonment on his conviction for violating federal narcotics laws related to a six-month Title III wiretap investigation into drug trafficking in and around Blair, Cambria, Centre, and Clearfield counties of Pennsylvania, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Timothy Paz, 32, on January 21, 2025, also ordering that Paz serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

    According to information presented to the Court, Paz was a courier who transported approximately seven pounds of methamphetamine from the New York City area to Altoona, Pennsylvania, on behalf of a large-scale narcotics supplier.  Paz also transported large amounts of United States currency representing payment for the methamphetamine from an Altoona-based narcotics distributor to the supplier.

    Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Paz.  

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
     

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Britain’s leading the way protecting children from online predators

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    UK becomes the first country in the world to create new AI sexual abuse offences to protect children from predators generating AI images.

    Children will be protected from the growing threat of predators generating AI images and from online sexual abuse as the UK becomes the first country in the world to create new AI sexual abuse offences.

    AI tools are being used to generate child sexual abuse images in a number of sickening ways including by “nudeifying” real life images of children or by stitching the faces of other children onto existing child sexual abuse images. The real-life voices of children are also often used in this sickening material, meaning innocent survivors of traumatic abuse are being re-victimised.

    Perpetrators are also using those fake images to blackmail children and force victims into further horrific abuse including streaming live images. AI tools are being used to help perpetrators disguise their initial identity and more effectively groom and abuse children online.

    To better protect children against this sickening abuse the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has today (2 February) revealed the UK will be the first country in the world to:

    • make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate CSAM, punishable by up to 5 years in prison
    • make it illegal for anyone to possess AI “paedophile manuals” which teach people how to use AI to sexually abuse children, punishable by up to 3 years in prison

    At the same time, the Home Office will:

    • introduce a specific offence for predators who run websites designed for other paedophiles to share vile child sexual abuse content or advice on how to groom children, punishable by up to 10 years in prison
    • give Border Force the necessary powers to keep the UK safe and prevent the distribution of CSAM which is often filmed abroad by allowing officers to compel an individual who they reasonably suspect poses a sexual risk to children to unlock their digital devices for inspection. Punishable by up to 3 years in prison, depending on the severity

    All 4 measures will be introduced as part of the Crime and Policing Bill when it comes to Parliament. The bill will support the delivery of the government’s safer streets mission to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls in a decade and increase confidence in policing and the wider criminal justice system to its highest levels.

    The increased availability of AI CSEA imagery not only poses a real risk to the public by normalising sexual violence against children, but it can lead those who view and create it to go on to offend in real life.

    Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

    We know that sick predators’ activities online often lead to them carrying out the most horrific abuse in person. This government will not hesitate to act to ensure the safety of children online by ensuring our laws keep pace with the latest threats.

    These 4 new laws are bold measures designed to keep our children safe online as technologies evolve. It is vital that we tackle child sexual abuse online as well as offline so we can better protect the public from new and emerging crimes as part of our plan for change.

    The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has warned that more and more sexual abuse AI images of children are being produced.

    Over a 30 day period in 2024, IWF analysts identified 3,512 AI CSAM images on a single dark web site. Compared with their 2023 analysis, the prevalence of Category A images (the most severe category) had risen by 10%. 

    New data from the charity shows that reports showing AI generated CSAM have risen 380%, with 245 confirmed reports in 2024 compared with 51 in 2023. Each report can contain thousands of images.

    The charity also warns that some of this AI generated content is so realistic that sometimes they are unable to tell the difference between AI generated content and abuse that is filmed in real life. Of the 245 reports the IWF took action against, 193 included AI generated images which were so sophisticated and life-like, they were actioned under UK law as though they were actual, photographic images of child sexual abuse.

    The predators who run or moderate websites designed for other paedophiles to share vile child sexual abuse content or advice on how to groom children are often the most dangerous to society by encouraging others to view even more extreme content.

    Covert law enforcement officials warn that these individuals often acting as ‘mentors’ for others with an interest in harming in children by offering advice on how to avoid detection and how to manipulate AI tools to generate CSAM.

    Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said:

    For too long abusers have hidden behind their screens, manipulating technology to commit vile crimes and the law has failed to keep up. It’s meant too many children, young people, and their families have been suffering the dire and lasting impacts of this abuse.

    That is why we are cracking down with some of the most far-reaching laws anywhere in the world. These laws will close loopholes, imprison more abusers, and put a stop to the trafficking of this abhorrent material from abroad. Our message is clear – nothing will get in the way from keeping children safe, and to abusers, the time for cowering behind a keyboard is over.

    Through the new laws, The Home Office is leading on the international stage by continuing to invest in law enforcement capabilities to target online child sexual abuse offenders to disrupt the highest harm and most technically sophisticated offenders.

    Which is why we are giving Border Force the necessary powers to keep the UK safe and prevent the distribution of CSAM which is often filmed abroad. Border Force officers will have the power to compel an individual, where they reasonably suspect that the individual poses a sexual risk to children, to unlock their digital devices for inspection.

    Once the device is accessed, specialist technology will be used to compare the contents of the device against the Child Abuse Image Database (CAID), to identify the presence of known child sexual abuse material.

    Interim Chief Executive of the IWF, Derek Ray-Hill, said:

    We have long been calling for the law to be tightened up, and are pleased the government has adopted our recommendations. These steps will have a concrete impact on online safety.

    The frightening speed with which AI imagery has become indistinguishable from photographic abuse has shown the need for legislation to keep pace with new technologies.

    Children who have suffered sexual abuse in the past are now being made victims all over again, with images of their abuse being commodified to train AI models. It is a nightmare scenario, and any child can now be made a victim, with life-like images of them being sexually abused obtainable with only a few prompts, and a few clicks.

    The availability of this AI content further fuels sexual violence against children. It emboldens and encourages abusers, and it makes real children less safe. There is certainly more to be done to prevent AI technology from being exploited, but we welcome today’s announcement, and believe these measures are a vital starting point.

    While AI can be used as a force for good to transform people’s lives, make public services more efficient and help bolster creative industries, the risk of its use to children continues to grow.

    The crime risks normalising sexual violence against children and re-victimising survivors of traumatic abuse. Which is why this government is prepared to build upon the Online Safety Act and will not hesitate to go further if necessary.

    Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, said: 

    As technology evolves so does the risk to the most vulnerable in society, especially children. It is vital that our laws are robust enough to protect children from these changes online. We will not allow gaps and loopholes in legislation to facilitate this abhorrent abuse.

    However, everyone has a role to play, and I would implore Big Tech to take seriously its responsibility to protect children and not provide safe spaces for this offending.

    Crossbench Peer and Chair of 5Rights Foundation, Baroness Kidron said:

    It has been a long fight to get the AI Child Sexual Abuse Offences into law, and the Home Secretary’s announcement today that they will be included in the Crime Bill, is a milestone. AI-enabled crime normalises the abuse of children and amplifies its spread. Our laws must reflect the reality of children’s experience, and ensure that technology is safe by design and default.

    I pay tribute to my friends and colleagues in the specialist police unit that brought this to my attention, and commend them for their extraordinary efforts to keep children safe. All children whose identity has been stolen or who have suffered abuse deserve our relentless attention and unwavering support. It is they –  and not politicians – who are the focus of our efforts

    In January, the Home Secretary announced a raft of new measures and an investment of £10 million that will allow us to do more to protect vulnerable children, find more criminals, and get justice for more victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

    More victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation will be given power to seek an independent review of their cases following the widening of the Child Sexual Abuse Review Panel. Chief constables of all police forces in England and Wales have been urged to re-examine non-recent and live cases of gang exploitation to increase prosecutions.

    At the same time, Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed to lead a rapid audit of existing evidence on grooming gangs to help deliver quicker action to tackle the crime and help victims. By Easter, the government will lay out a clear timetable for taking forward the recommendations from the final IICSA report.

    Policy Manager for Child Safety Online at the NSPCC, Rani Govender said:

    It is encouraging to see the government take action aimed at tackling criminals who create AI generated child sexual abuse images.

    Our Childline service is hearing from children and young people about the devastating impact it can have when AI generated images are created of them and shared. And, concerningly, often victims won’t even know these images have been created in the first place.

    It is vital the development of AI does not race ahead of child safety online. Wherever possible, these abhorrent harms must be prevented from happening in the first place. To achieve this, we must see robust regulation of this technology to ensure children are protected and tech companies undertake thorough risk assessments before new AI products are rolled out.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Solicits Impact of Trump Administration’s Federal Funding Freeze on Vermonters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Friday convened Vermonters to discuss how the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze has impacted communities, families and workers across the state.  
    “This Administration is blocking the federal funding that Vermonters rely on—for their health care, child care, education, nutrition, community safety, disaster recovery, firefighting, and so much more. This is shocking, appalling, and it also happens to be illegal. When it comes to Congressional appropriations and the Article I powers of Congress, President Trump does not have the right to pick and choose what he’ll honor. It’s clear his main mission is to create incredible chaos and confusion for our communities,” said Senator Welch. “I am working with my Democratic colleagues in the Senate and with the Vermont Delegation to push back on this cruelty and do everything we can to stop this federal funding freeze.” 
    President Trump’s order to halt the disbursement of trillions of dollars in federal funding was issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The federal courts temporarily blocked the order, and on Monday extended the temporary restraining order. In addition, the court has required OMB to re-open funding currently held by the government and provide the court a compliance report by the end of the week. 
    Senator Welch heard directly from a variety of impacted Vermonters on Friday. Read the concerns of Vermonters below, and watch the full roundtable to hear from every participant here: 

    “Federal funding in Vermont supports emergency shelter and hotline services for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and many of our programs also provide rapid rehousing, including paying rents for survivors who have had access to housing. And as with the other nonprofits on this call, our work is done on a reimbursement basis with the federal government. So many of our organizations were frozen out of payment systems earlier this week, and for those that have been able to access those portals, many of the payments still show us pending and not deposited. Despite this, these amazing organizations continue to provide 24-hour access to services to victims of domestic and sexual violence.” – Sarah Robinson, Vermont Network Against Sexual and Domestic Violence 
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    “This has been a week like none other that threatened the continuation of our health center in operations and has dearly affected the feeling of safety for our staff and patients…This week when the Health and Human Services payment management system went down—and it really did, I have the screenshots of the different statuses it had had—it literally brought us to our knees. And we’re here standing strong…It rippled through all our staff, our board of directors, and threatened the care of about 10,000 Vermonters. We also have capital projects that have had long standing federal loans across Northern Borders, USDA, Health and Human Services. We had a pause, and the current next step for progression on those was approval by USDA, and they weren’t able to work with us…which puts a threat on our subcontractors, which then puts a threat on completing these projects…But we’re here. We have a lot of tenacity.” – Andy Barter, Little Rivers Health Care 
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    “Our agencies are currently serving 78 youth, and any further delay in receiving our resources would be hugely detrimental to the 78 youth. And this is at a time when we’ve seen the number of Vermont’s youth experiencing housing instability or homelessness quadruple in the last five years. We meet a fraction of the need in the state. Right now, our programs are already underfunded due to years of level funding with the expectation that our agencies would continue to do the same level of work. There is inadequate support provided for grants administration and no possibility of using funds to maintain reserves, meaning that direct program work always takes precedent over capacity building and development work. So, things are tight.” – Vermont State Rep. Kate Logan, Elevate 
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    “We have 79 families in temporary housing. This is very challenging for us. It’s a lot of funds—we don’t have the funds, and it’s a public safety issue because there’s homelessness, and we don’t have the funds to go on paying their rents.” – Sonali Samarasinghe, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants 
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    “The Executive Order, and the memo, has thrown all of our funding that we have relied on into disarray. We had problems accessing our funding portals. On Tuesday, we had no idea whether we would receive any more funding. We suspended all of our planned activities. We talked about furloughing our employees…We have employees, we have operational expenses. Cash flow for a nonprofit like the [Family Network] is tight, we cannot sustain a prolonged non receipt of funding. Every day since Tuesday has been filled with anxiety and uncertainty.” – Karen Price, Vermont Family Network 
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    “We administer federal funds that helped build housing and help to make farmland affordable to farmers, and this week we had to contemplate what it looks like to Vermonters to not have that support. We see that federal funds play a critical role in filling the gaps in projects to make sure they can go forward, and that they’re done through a reimbursement basis, which puts housing projects to fill Vermont’s great housing need at incredible risk…We have developers that want to meet the housing needs of our state, that would not be able to do so if this federal funding were to be pulled back, so we are highly concerned about the path the federal government is going down, and what it means to builders, to construction teams, to anyone who is on wait lists depending on these homes, to secure housing if these federal funds are pulled back.” – Pollaidh Major, Vermont Housing & Conservation Board 
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    “We do things like weatherization, housing, our food insecurity programs, and our Head Start programs. So primarily, about 50% of each of our community action agencies’ budgets are federal funding, that we don’t have access to right now. Head Start, although it’s been rescinded, we do not have access to payments. So, we are able to get into the payment management system, but we are not able to draw down any funds…We have many leases on properties our Head Start sites that were unable to pay landlords, and we are, we are in a really tough situation.” – Jenna O’Farrell, Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NECKA) 
    ■■■
    “For Landmark College specifically, this funding represented the single greatest, largest grant in our 40-year history, and if granted in full, it will be transformational to our research endeavors, creating new opportunities for our faculty and students, as well as for innovative businesses, not for not-for-profits and local governments in our area. As a college that serves exclusively neurodivergent individuals and is proud to do so in rural Vermont, we are firmly committed to the success and wellbeing of our students, as well as the families of the more than 200 individuals who make our college run in both white and blue collar jobs. For all of these folks, students, parents, staff and faculty alike, Monday night’s Executive Order up ended daily life, introduced new and urgent questions and severely disrupted our ability to do our jobs…” – Jim Dlugos, Landmark College 
    ■■■
    “70 percent of our work is with the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the State Department. Before Secretary of State’s and Secretary Marco Rubio’s foreign assistance stop work order, we had 88 full time staff here in the United States. With the stop work order, 62 of those have now been laid off, furloughed or put on reduced hours…We are currently owed in excess of $3 million in current and past due invoices from USAID and State. This is for work that has been completed to the full satisfaction of the government, and we are not receiving payment. USAID has switched off its payment systems, so no payments are being processed. We believe this is illegal. Best estimate right now this is happening across the foreign assistance field. This is a $40 billion field.” – Steve Schmida, Resonance 
    ■■■
    “When you’ve already got nine months out the door and you’re expecting money back, and suddenly that’s in question, you really have to think about laying off this staff immediately to stop the bleeding at that point, which is extremely painful. For the municipal and the nonprofit projects that are either ready to go or already have a shovel in the ground, it means they really have to stop and think about whether they want to continue at this point.” – Andy Julow, Regional Development Corporations of Vermont 
    If allowed to proceed, the order would cause chaos in Vermont. The funding freeze could: 

    Freeze funding for Head Start, which provides early childhood education for around 1,200 children in Vermont. The state received around $26.8 million last year for the program.  
    Freeze funding for Community Health Centers in Vermont, which supported the state with $25.1+ million in funding for health care in 2023 and served nearly 200,000 patients.  
    Freeze funding for more than 10,000 women, infants, and children in Vermont who use WIC to keep from going hungry, as well as stop funding for more than 12,000 Vermont seniors who rely on nutritious food from Meals on Wheels and at senior centers. 
    Freeze grant funding from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program, which provided $625,000 for our law enforcement in Vermont last year.  
    Freeze funding for home heating assistance for nearly 24,000 Vermonters who use the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to stay warm through the winter.  
    Freeze funding for 9,000 Vermonters who rely on Section 8 vouchers to keep a roof over their head, and risk shutting down housing and shelter services for unhoused youth. 
    Freeze funding for Vermont’s opioid response, which could lose around $5.9 million in funding to prevent, treat and support recovery services.   
    Freeze funding for Vermont’s small businesses impacted by disasters, which would lose $30.3 million on small business loans.  
    Freeze funding for Violence Against Women Act Grant Funding for Vermont. 
    Freeze funding for disaster recovery for Vermont. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New £13m police centre to tackle violence against women and girls

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Government announces new intelligence-led national policing centre to put the experiences of victims at the heart of police investigations.

    A new intelligence-led national policing centre will put the experiences of victims of child sexual abuse, rape and sexual offences, domestic abuse and stalking at the heart of police investigations – backed by more than £13 million of government funding.

    The National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, run by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing, will be based in Ryton and bring together around 100 officers and staff to prioritise tackling violence against women and children across England and Wales.

    For too long, crimes disproportionately impacting women and girls, such as domestic abuse and grooming gangs, have not been met with the specialist response they require.

    Police efforts to tackle these crimes will now benefit from a national coordinating function – a specialist capability usually reserved for counterterrorism and serious and organised crime – making sure victims get a consistent level of support regardless of where they are in the country.

    The government has been clear it will prioritise protecting women and children from these harms as part of our commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade through our Plan for Change. This new policing centre will ensure that standards in tackling them are driven up across the country.

    This funding builds on measures set out before Christmas to introduce Raneem’s Law and embed domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms, action to tackle spiking and stalking, as well as new measures to tackle the scourge of child sexual abuse, including mandatory reporting and increased funding for the Child Sexual Exploitation Police Taskforce.

    Launching in April, the centre will build on existing areas of work to:

    • roll out new quality training for police officers across the country in tackling violence against women and girls and child sexual abuse, implementing a manifesto commitment
    • professionalise public protection work within policing so that future police leaders will all be expected to have built up experience and training in public protection roles
    • deploy intelligence-led tactics used to target other serious offenders to pursue domestic abusers, rapists and stalkers
    • work with the National Crime Agency to ensure that all forces are supported to respond to online child sexual abuse
    • drive up investigative and operational standards across all 43 police forces in England and Wales in tackling these crimes
    • train more police officers in the skills necessary to tackle violence against women and girls and child sexual abuse
    • ensure the latest academic research informs investigative practices

    This announcement aims to build confidence in victims to come forward to report crimes to the police, knowing they will receive the service they deserve.

    Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

    Women and girls experience violence and abuse each year, yet for far too long it just hasn’t been taken seriously enough by policing, the criminal justice system or the government.

    Warm words are not enough. We need to drive up standards and start treating the epidemic of violence against women and children with the seriousness it deserves.

    We have national specialist standards and leadership on serious and organised crime, terrorism and public order, but not on public protection – even though it needs proper specialist skills and training to go after dangerous perpetrators and keep victims and survivors safe. That is why we are setting up the first policing national centre for public protection to drive up standards and tackle these terrible crimes.

    To ensure there is a cohesive and effective response across all 43 forces in England and Wales, the centre will work closely with the Home Office to deliver the government’s manifesto commitment to set out consistent and standard practices for responding to these crimes, including through improved training for officers. This will mean officers have the right skills and training to respond appropriately to victims of VAWG and child sexual abuse.

    This will include developing and rolling out high-quality training for frontline, specialist and leadership roles and for critical functions such as rape and sexual offences teams where educated, and specialist support is vital to build victim confidence.

    T/CC Maggie Blyth, National Police Chief’s Council lead for Violence Against Women and Girls said:

    We welcome the official announcement and the financial support from government to implement a national centre to further protect victims and enhance our specialist capability to target perpetrators.

    The centre will build on existing police work and progress made in tackling violence against women and girls, allowing us to mandate nationwide improvements to support forces and frontline officers to carry out their jobs effectively.

    Our officers work tirelessly every day to bring offenders to justice and keep people safe, but we need to do more and that starts with equipping our officers with the right training and support to be able to investigate effectively, in the same way as we would provide specialist training to firearms or public order officers. We also need to better support victims through the criminal justice process and alongside partners, we will drive improvements for swifter justice and a quicker more robust response when people seek our help.

    The centre will unify three existing victim-orientated policing programs – Operation Soteria, the national VAWG Taskforce and the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme, which focus on protecting vulnerable people including victims of child sexual abuse. Building on programs like Operation Soteria, the centre will work with academics to ensure an evidence-based approach, transforming the way policing looks at and responds to these crimes.

    Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, the College of Policing’s Director of Operational Standards, said:

    Policing is dedicated to protecting women and girls by targeting those who seek to harm them; and ensuring victims have the confidence to come forward, that they are listened to, treated compassionately and receive the best possible service.

    We’ll place victims at the heart of the new centre and work across law enforcement, government and both the public and voluntary sectors to boost the training we give to officers. The College of Policing will support forces to achieve the highest possible standards and improve the response to violence against women and girls.

    This investment is a core part of the government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and treat it as a national emergency as part of the wider Safer Streets Mission.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Well-Earned Retirement for Officer Tildy

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On Tuesday, Feb. 4, Tildy, the UConn Police Department’s first community outreach dog, will formally celebrate her retirement after seven years of serving – and delighting – the UConn community.  

    Meeting Tildy has been a staple of the UConn experience, bringing immense amounts of joy to everyone she encounters on the Great Lawn, Fairfield Way, Horsebarn Hill, and pretty much every place at UConn where crowds gather, as well as classrooms and courthouses across the state.

    Sergeant Justin Cheney with Officer Tildy of the UConn Police Department on October 19, 2020. (UConn photo/Sean Flynn)

    Tildy’s retirement is bittersweet for UConn, but for one member of the community in particular: Sergeant Justin Cheney ’07 (CLAS), her human partner ever since her arrival in 2018. Cheney has experienced so many events and moments at UConn he wouldn’t normally be part of, all thanks to Tildy. From Sunset Yoga to the Involvement Fair to HuskyTHON, students’ excitement at Tildy’s meant that Cheney was able to become even more immersed in campus life.  

    “I knew that by bringing this dog here, we’re going to get more people to engage in our events,” he says. “I never realized how much she would transcend in the sense that we would be invited to, and included in, all of these different events on campus.”

    UConn dog lovers need not despair, though: Tildy’s little sister Jazmine, a 2-year-old golden retriever, completed her training with Cheney in August 2024, and will take over as community outreach dog on a full-time basis this month. 

    Tildy wasn’t just a pioneer at UConn: Cheney and UConn piloted the Community Outreach Facility Dog Program in Connecticut. Cheney, who started at the UConn Police Department in 2015, working in the Community Outreach Department running programs and trainings, had the idea of getting a dog to assist in areas like victim support or therapy sessions, to better engage the community and enhance the approachability of Community Outreach officers. 

    UConn Police K9 Officers Jazmine and Tildy sit near Gampel Pavilion on Aug. 13, 2024. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    Inspired by the Eastern Washington University Police Department and their yellow lab, Cheney contacted them in hopes of bringing a dog to Storrs. They directed him to Canine Companions, an organization that trains service dogs who go on to provide one-on-one assistance to people. However, not all dogs matriculate as service dogs, and sometimes need alternative placements.  

    Tildy is what is known as a Facility Dog: “A dog that has all of the training as a service dog, but would go into a larger setting to assist multiple people, instead of just assisting one person each and every day,” Cheney says.

    Today, there are now 20 handlers and teams of Community Outreach Facility Dog Programs in Connecticut. “Being the first program in the state shows our commitment to supporting our students, which really was the extra drive for wanting to organize this program,” Cheney says. “The goal was to be able to provide that additional layer of victim assistance and ensure that the dogs will always be there for these services.”

    Jonathan XIV and Tildy of the UConn Police Department share a first date on Horsebarn Hill and at the UConn Dairy Bar in 2019. (Tom Rettig/UConn Photo)

    The duo’s frequent appearances on campus have allowed Cheney to establish quality relationships with students. “We want to make sure our consistency, in terms of our presence at different events or hosting our own, hopefully goes a long way in showing the students that we care and want to be involved,” he says. “We want to participate in as many things as we can but also provide that support and assistance in any way possible.”

    When looking back on highlights of their time together, Cheney recalls the countless number of smiles he’s seen Tildy bring to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. 

    “To see that positive impact and how much she’s done at UConn makes me so happy,” he says. “I feel so lucky to be able to bring this dog around to help people, and feel so rewarded to have this experience.”

    Although Tildy’s retirement means she will not be on campus every day anymore, don’t be surprised if you see her happy face and wagging tail from time to time.

    “This is not the last time Tildy will be on campus,” Cheney says. “She’ll make her way back every once in a while for events that I know she’d love to attend.”

    Tildy’s retirement celebration will be held on Feb. 4 in the Wilbur Cross North Reading Room from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.. Join Cheney, Jazmine and other community outreach facility dogs in saying farewell to Tildy! 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor launches independent new Nightlife Taskforce to help support capital’s life at night

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Sadiq announces the members of London’s new independent Nightlife Taskforce
    • The Taskforce – a Mayoral manifesto commitment – brings together a wide range of experts from the frontline of the capital’s nightlife to examine and address the issues facing the industries
    • Over six months the taskforce will assess the challenges and opportunities facing London’s ever-evolving nightlife to provide recommendations on how to ensure the capital’s night-time economy can thrive

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today revealed the members of a new independent Nightlife Taskforce that has been created to help support the capital’s life at night.

    The Taskforce brings together a range of experts from the frontline of the capital’s nightlife to examine and address the issues facing the industries, and provide recommendations on how to ensure the night-time economy can thrive.

    In recent years London’s nightlife and night-time industries, along with other cities in the UK, have faced a huge range of challenges. These include the long-lasting impact of the pandemic, rising rents and business rates, staffing shortages, licensing and planning issues, and cost-of-living and cost-of-doing business pressures.

    Sadiq is determined to do all he can to work with partners to help the capital’s nightlife communities and industries navigate these challenges and buck global trends, which is why he’s brought together London’s first ever Nightlife Taskforce.

    The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) recently published figures showing a 32.7 per cent decline in nightclubs across the country since 2020. London saw the smallest decline with a 19.7 per cent decrease from March 2020 to November 2024, compared to Manchester which saw a decrease of 33.3 per cent and Birmingham had a drop of 38.5 per cent. 

    Despite these ongoing challenges, the landscape of London’s nightlife continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of Londoners and visitors to the capital. This has seen it diversify from zone one to include a range of other locations including Hackney, Peckham and Tottenham.

    The Taskforce will be chaired by Cameron Leslie, Co-founder and Director of fabric, and includes representatives from the heart of London’s nightlife, including Nadine Noor, Founder of Pxssy Palace, Nathanael Williams, Founder of Colour Factory, and Alice Hoffman Fuller, Head of Operations at Corsica Studios; as well key industry bodies Kate Nicholls CEO of UK Hospitality, Mike Kill CEO of Night Time Industries Association, and Sophie Brownlee, External Affairs Manager at Music Venue Trust.

    Each member brings a wealth of experience and expertise, and over the next six months they will meet regularly to examine and address the challenges and opportunities facing London’s ever-evolving nightlife.

    They will have access to an advisory group that will includes representatives from the Met Police, TfL, London Councils, trade unions, the broader business community and supply chain businesses. They will also be supported by Nightlife Research consultants Vibe Lab who will be calling on Londoners to help provide evidence to the taskforce to help develop their recommendations.

    The Taskforce will provide a series of recommendations to the Mayor that will then help to build on City Hall’s ongoing work to support nightlife. This includes protecting hundreds of venues from closure through the Culture and Community Spaces at Risk office, working with boroughs to develop London’s first ever local Night Time Strategies, introducing the Night Tube and Overground, creating the most night-friendly London Plan to date, cutting red tape with our Business Friendly Licensing Fund, and launching the Women’s Night Safety Charter.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s nightlife industries are vital to the success of our capital, but, as with other cities across the country, they have faced a huge range of challenges in recent years. The rising cost of living and operational costs, shifts in consumer behaviour, staffing shortages and licensing issues have all been hitting businesses hard. I’m determined to do all I can to work alongside our night-time industries, which is why I’ve brought together this independent taskforce of experts to examine and address the opportunities and issues facing the industry. Their expertise and unparalleled knowledge garnered from years of working across a range of night-time industries will help to inform and develop our collective efforts to support nightlife, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”

    Cameron Leslie, Co-founder and Director, fabric, said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to lead this newly assembled independent Nightlife Taskforce. This group that has come together, represents some of the best of what London has to offer, across an incredibly broad spectrum. We are all excited about the future of nightlife in our wonderful city, and are also acutely aware of the stark challenges we face. The Taskforce cannot wave a magic wand to make things better but I truly believe through our experience, expertise, knowledge, relationships and desire we can put forward something meaningful by which all stakeholders and individuals who genuinely want to see London’s vibrant night-time economy thrive and grow can then get behind.”

    Nadine Noor, Founder of Pxssy Palace, said: “I’m looking forward to be part of this Taskforce because I believe collaboration is key. Working together enables us to stay active, hold each other accountable, and drive meaningful change that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of London’s nightlife.”

    Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “I was delighted to lead the first ground-breaking report into London’s nightlife, and I’m pleased the Mayor is reaffirming his commitment to the night-time economy through this new taskforce. London’s vibrant nightlife is world-renowned and, while there are undoubtedly significant challenges facing our nightlife businesses, it still has the potential to grow and build on that reputation. I look forward to working with the taskforce to develop new solutions that can support businesses in the capital to both survive and thrive.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: #ItsNotOK – sexual violence victims urged to seek support

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, which began yesterday (Monday 3 February), is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of these crimes and, using the hashtag #ItsNotOK, encourages people to raise awareness and help get more coverage of this important subject.

    Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “It’s Not OK to have to deal with sexual abuse or sexual violence. It’s Not OK to suffer in silence. And It’s Not OK to have to deal with it on your own.

    “This Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, we want victims to understand that no matter what happened, you deserve support – it wasn’t your fault, we’ll listen to you, and we’ll believe you.”

    Rape Crisis England and Wales runs a 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line providing specialist support to anyone aged 16 and over who has experienced something sexual that they didn’t want, didn’t consent to or is feeling confused about, no matter when or where it happened. Call 0808 500 2222 or visit Abuse Support Line.  

    There are a wide range of services in the West Midlands which offer guidance and support to anyone who has experienced rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse including The Haven Wolverhampton (details at https://www.havenrefuge.org.uk/), Black Country Women’s Aid (https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/) and a number of other organisations (details at Support after rape and sexual assault).

    And the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s No Excuse For Abuse website includes details of a range of support services including charities, refuges and specialist support for LGBTQ+ and male victims.

    People can report sexual abuse or violence to West Midlands Police by calling 101 for non-emergencies or via Live Chat online. Dial 999 if a sexual assault has just taken place or someone is in immediate danger.

    Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week runs until Sunday (9 February, 2025). For more information, visit Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Remains located, identified as woman missing since March

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Waikato Western Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin:

    Police can confirm the remains of a woman missing since March 2024 have been found in the Pureroa Forest in Waikato.

    Police were alerted to the discovery by a local hunter on Monday evening, 27 January.

    Police can now confirm the remains are those of 79-year-old Judy Donovan.

    Judy was laying bait with a group in the forest on 23 March last year when she became separated.

    That afternoon, Search and Rescue teams, including Land Search and Rescue, Police Search and Rescue, and dog units, were deployed to the area.

    The search for Judy was suspended in April last year after a large-scale, weeks-long search. The choice to suspend a search is always a tough one. It involves the assessment of a number of factors, including consultation with survivability experts.

    In May, Police and a cadaver dog deployed to the area again, however, they were unable to locate her. 

    Judy’s family has been advised of the discovery, and they are being offered support at this incredibly emotional time.

    A post-mortem examination has been completed along with the formal identification process.

    As the matter is with the Coroner, we are unable to provide further comment.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests and impounds following poor driving in Auckland

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have made arrests and seized vehicles after reports of dangerous driving through parts of south Auckland today.

    Just before 11.30am, the public began reporting dirt bikes blocking a Manurewa intersection at Great South and Weymouth roads.

    Police have established the movements were part of a funeral procession moving from Manurewa to Pukekohe.

    “A group of vehicles were observed heading south on State Highway 1 driving in an unsafe manner,” District Shift Commander, Senior Sergeant Nick Ewen says.

    “The Police Eagle helicopter deployed and monitored the driving behaviour from overhead.”

    Police staff on the ground intercepted the vehicles in the Pukekohe area.

    Senior Sergeant Ewen says three people were arrested on the roadside, with four vehicles also being impounded.

    “Those arrested will be facing driving-related offences in court,” he says.

    “Counties Manukau staff have also impounded a further two dirt bikes at an address.

    “This is a great outcome, and it sends a message that Police and the wider community will not accept dangerous or unsociable behaviour on our roads.”

    Senior Sergeant Ewen says Police would like to hear from any members of the public as enquiries continue.

    “If you witnessed the driving behaviour or have dashcam footage, we need to hear from you,” he says.

    If you have footage or information to assist Police, please call 105 using the reference number P061507502.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 13 Alleged Meth, Cocaine Traffickers Charged In 15-Count Indictment

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

    Thirteen alleged drug traffickers operation out of the Texas Panhandle were federally charged in DEA-led Operation Put It In Reverse, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.

    Those charged in a 15-count indictment filed include:

    • Juan Gabriel Castro, aka “Big Boy,” charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine

    • Luis Gilberto Garcia, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine,  possession with intent to distribute cocaine

    • Terry Deon Noble, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, distribution of methamphetamine

    • David Dewayne Keelin, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine

    • Charlotte Ann Villanueva, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Kody Ryan Patterson, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Melissa Lynn Nelson, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Joshua James Tarver, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine,

    • Danny James Wise, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Christopher Steven Conley, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Reba Lynn McLaughlin, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Mario Socorro Martinez, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    • Alfredo Olivares Jimenez, aka “Freddie,” charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine

    The defendants were arrested last week.

    Over th course of the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 70 kilograms of methamphetamine, four kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of fentanyl, $70,000 in assets, and eight firearms.

    “These arrests demonstrate the continued resolve of DEA Amarillo Resident Office to investigate this organization to the fullest extent possible,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez.  “Local street dealers, transporters, bulk suppliers, and anyone in between should know DEA is committed to holding everyone in this organization, and others like it, accountable for selling deadly drugs to our communities.”

    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    If convicted, the defendants face as much as twenty years to life in federal prison.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division – Amarillo Resident Office conducted the investigation with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation and Highway Patrol Divisions, the Amarillo Police Department, the Randall County Sheriff’s Department, the Potter County Sheriff’s Department, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Agents of the Texas Attorney General’s Office (OIG),  Texas Game Warden Officers, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office, the United States Marshal’s Service, and Texas State Probation – Amarillo. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Marie Bell is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man faces charges over series of thefts

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have put a halt on an alleged crime spree in east Auckland, valued in the thousands.

    On Monday afternoon, Police caught up with the offender in the Botany area and have so far laid 15 charges.

    Senior Sergeant Simon Cornish, Counties Manukau East Intelligence Manager, says it is estimated more than $10,000 in property had been stolen. 

    “We have been aware of a vehicle of interest that had allegedly committed petrol drive-offs late last year and into January,” he says.

    “There have been reports in recent weeks of work vehicles being targeted in the East Tamaki area.”

    Senior Sergeant Cornish says handbags, wallets, tools, and camera gear had allegedly been stolen from vehicles.

    At this stage Police believe seven people have fallen victim to the man, with at least four petrol-drive offs allegedly committed.

    “Yesterday afternoon, a victim quickly contacted 111 and provided us information about a vehicle an offender was leaving the East Tamaki area in,” Senior Sergeant Cornish says.

    “A number of units deployed to the Botany area, including the Police Eagle helicopter, and the vehicle was stopped on Te Irirangi Drive.”

    A 34-year-old man was arrested and faces numerous charges in the Manukau District Court.

    Those charges include theft ex-car, theft and fraud offences relating to stolen credit cards.

    He was appearing the Manukau District Court today.

    Senior Sergeant Cornish says further charges cannot be ruled out as enquiries continue.

    “This is a great outcome, and it sends a message to those who are continuing to commit offending – it’s only a matter of time before we are catching up with you.”

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Arrests made in relation to Ōpōtiki homicide

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson:

    Two men have been arrested in relation to the death of a man on Church Street, Ōpōtiki on Saturday morning.

    Yesterday evening, a 31-year-old patched Mongrel mob member was arrested and charged with murder. He appeared in court this morning and has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at the Tauranga District Court on 26 February.

    A 25-year-old man was also arrested on Sunday afternoon. He has been charged with assault and is due to reappear in the Whakatane District Court on 12 February.

    Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the death.

    Additional Police resources from the wider Bay of Plenty District have been in Ōpōtiki since Saturday morning assisting with inquiries and providing reassurance to the public.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Puyallup Tribe sentenced to 13 years in prison for shooting death of his friend

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tacoma – A member of the Puyallup Tribe was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 13 years in prison for the fatal shooting of someone he considered a friend, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Dennis Jacobsen, 32, was arrested shortly after the shooting on October 21, 2021. Jacobsen was originally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm because of convictions for robbery and unlawful firearms possession in Pierce County Superior Court. In June 2024, Jacobsen pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

    At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle said, “This is a tragic story of illicit drug use and a firearm. The lives of the loved ones of the victim will carry this loss for years.”

    According to records filed in the case, both Jacobsen and the victim had been drinking and using drugs the morning of the shooting. The two were seen together outside the victim’s home within the confines of the Puyallup reservation. The two men walked behind the home and witnesses heard three gunshots. The victim was shot once in the arm and twice in the head, at least once at close range. Witnesses then saw Jacobsen run from behind the house, get in a vehicle and drive away.

    When police went to Jacobsen’s residence, they found the handgun with one bullet still in the chamber. The ammunition matched the type of ammunition used in the shooting.

    In asking for the 15-year sentence, Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg wrote to the court, “The impact of (the victim’s) killing has been felt deeply in the community. His girlfriend was pregnant with his son at the time of the killing. She can now only show her son the photographs of his father. (The victim’s) parents are now without a son and the greater Puyallup community has lost another tribal member to a violent tragedy.”

    Jacobsen will be on five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    The case was investigated by the Puyallup Tribal Police and the FBI.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Clinton County Felon Sentenced to 65 Months for Unlawful Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard Brundige, age 46, of Ellenburg Depot, New York, was sentenced today to 65 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for unlawfully possessing a rifle as a previously convicted felon.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, United States Marshal David McNulty, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement,

    As part of his prior guilty plea, Brundige admitted that on December 12, 2022, he possessed a Marlin Model 336W lever action rifle and 17 rounds of ammunition. Brundige has four felony convictions in New York that prevented him from lawfully possessing the rifle. Brundige committed this offense while a fugitive from justice following a conviction in 2019.

    The United States Marshal Service and New York State Police investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man critically injured in Birkenhead

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are responding to a serious assault in Birkenhead this afternoon.

    Just after 2pm, a man was located with injuries on Birkenhead Avenue by a member of the public.

    Waitematā Field Crime Manager, acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison says an investigation is now underway to determine what has occurred.

    “At this early stage we believe the man has sustained stab wounds and he has been taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition,” he says.

    Police would like to hear from the public who may have seen an incident unfold this afternoon.

    “Anyone who may have witnessed something taking place at an address or on the street should contact us,” acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    “We would also like to hear from anyone with information about a vehicle seen fleeing the scene a short time afterward.”

    Police have closed part of Birkenhead Avenue, near the intersection with Onewa Road.

    A scene examination will take place this afternoon as part of the investigation, acting Detective Inspector Harrison says.

    “Our investigation is still in the early stages in determing exactly what has taken place in Birkenhead this afternoon.

    “The public will see an increased presence of our staff in the area, and we appreciate the public’s understanding while our staff carry out their work at the scene.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 using the reference number P061509544.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man arrested after machete located in Waitangi

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Eagle-eyed patrols got more than they bargained for after spotting a wanted man, allegedly carrying a machete down the inside of his pants.

    Police staff patrolling as part of Operation Waitangi noticed the man, who had a warrant for his arrest, walking along Selwyn Street, Paihia on Sunday afternoon.

    Northland District Prevention Manager, Inspector Dean Robinson, says officers quickly arrested the man and during a search located a machete on the inside of his pants.

    “This is a great result and another example that we are committed to keeping offensive weapons such as these out of the community.

    “Police opposed this man’s bail and he has been remanded in custody until his next appearance.”

    Police remind our communities to report any suspicious behaviour to Police on 111 immediately, or 105 after the fact.

    A 31-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will reappear in Whangārei District Court on 19 February charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrests – Firearm incident – Coconut Grove

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested three offenders after a serious assault with a firearm occurred in Coconut Grove overnight.

    Around 7:05pm, police received reports that a 23-year-old man had been seriously injured by offenders who had arrived in a black Mazda 3 at a residence on Litchfield Court, Coconut Grove.

    On Police and St John Ambulance arrival it was confirmed that the man had been shot in the legs. The victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition while detectives identified the alleged offenders were known to the victim.  

    Shortly after the incident, police confirmed that the vehicle involved was not stolen and was allegedly being borrowed by someone who was not the registered owner.

    Multiple units, including detectives from the Crime Command, the Territory Response Group, Katherine general duties and the Northern Investigations Section deployed and began tracking the vehicle.

    Shortly before 4am, a tyre deflation device was successfully deployed outside Katherine and two men, aged 19 and 22, and a 22-year-old woman were arrested without incident.

    Multiple edged weapons were found within the vehicle but the firearm allegedly used has yet to be located.

    Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said, “Major Crime and Northern Investigations teams are continuing to investigate this targeted attack and we are urging anyone with information to come forward.

    “I would like to commend every officer involved in the safe apprehension of these alleged offenders.

    “Anyone with information, particularly on the whereabouts of the firearm, can make contact with police on 131 444 and quote reference P25034096.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash: Inglewood

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Inglewood this morning.

    The crash involving a pedestrian and a vehicle was reported just after 8am.

    Sadly, the pedestrian died at the scene.

    The road has since reopened.

    Inquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Mile Plains — UPDATE: Missing person found safe

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The 22-year-old woman who was reported missing this past Saturday from Three Mile Plains has been found safe.

    The RCMP thanks Nova Scotians for assisting with missing persons files through social media shares and offering tips.

    File #: 2025-135395

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: White Supremacist Leader Found Guilty of Conspiring to Destroy Regional Power Grid

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Baltimore, Maryland – After a six-day trial, a federal jury found Brandon Russell, 29, a resident of Orlando, Florida, guilty of conspiracy to damage an energy facility.

    Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office announced the jury’s verdict.

    “Hate-fueled violence has no place in a civilized society. Brandon Russell went well beyond his First Amendment rights, orchestrating a terrorist plot that would have harmed thousands of innocent people,” Barron said.  “It won’t always be popular, but this office will do the right thing, the right way, for the right reason.”  

    “Brandon Russell, a self-proclaimed National Socialist, conspired to ‘lay waste to the city of Baltimore’ through violence and destruction of critical infrastructure. Today’s verdict reinforces there is no tolerance for those who seek to harm our communities and use violence to further hate-filled beliefs,” DelBagno said. “I am proud of the tremendous work by FBI Baltimore’s Joint Terrorism Task Force which led this investigation. The FBI remains diligent in protecting Marylanders from national security and public safety threats every single day in conjunction with our dedicated law enforcement and private sector partners.”

    According to evidence presented at trial, from at least November 2022 to February 3, 2023, Russell conspired to carry out attacks against critical infrastructure, specifically transformers located within electrical substations, in furtherance of Russell’s racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist beliefs. Russell posted links to open-source maps of infrastructure, which included the locations of electrical substations, and he described how a small number of attacks on substations could cause a “cascading failure.” Russell also discussed maximizing the impact of the planned attack by hitting multiple substations at one time.

    Russell recruited a Maryland-based woman, Sarah Beth Clendaniel, to carry out the attacks in Baltimore and elsewhere. They planned to damage energy facilities involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity and to cause a significant interruption and impairment of the Baltimore regional power grid. The intended monetary loss associated with the planned attacks would have exceeded $75 million. Clendaniel identified five substations to target, and Russell attempted to secure a weapon for Clendaniel. Clendaniel stated that if they hit a number of substations all in the same day, they “would completely destroy this whole city,” and that a “good four or five shots through the center of them . . . should make that happen.” She further added, “[i]t would probably permanently completely lay this city to waste if we could do that successfully.”

    Russell faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for conspiracy to damage an energy facility. Senior United States District Judge James K. Bredar will determine the sentence after accounting for the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. On September 25, 2024, U.S. District Judge Bredar sentenced Clendaniel, to 18 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for conspiring with Russell to damage or destroy an energy facility in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1366(a), and a concurrent sentence of 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and 3 years of supervised release, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the Baltimore FBI Field Office for its outstanding work in the investigation and praised the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Maryland State Police, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Tampa, Washington, and New York Field Offices of the FBI for their valuable assistance. Mr. Barron also thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida for their assistance. Mr. Barron thanked the prosecution team for their hard work and diligence in the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. To report a Maryland-based hate crime, contact the FBI Baltimore field office at (410) 265-8080 or www.tips.fbi.gov.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Otaika homicide: Man charged as Police seek sightings of vehicle of interest

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    A man has been charged with murder over a Maungatapere teenager’s death in Otaika last week.

    Several search warrants have been carried out over recent days in the homicide investigation into the death of 18-year-old Kyle Jenkins.

    Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, of Whangārei CIB, says a person of interest was being spoken to as of late yesterday.

    Enquiries have culminated in a 20-year-old man being charged in the early hours of the morning.

    “This man been charged with Kyle’s murder and will be appearing in the Whangārei District Court today,” he says.

    “This is a significant development in our investigation which has progressed rapidly in recent days, along with information that has been coming from public appeals.”

    Kyle’s family has been advised of an arrest being made.

    “Our thoughts are with his family, as they continue to grieve the loss of a son and prepare for his funeral today,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

    • POLICE SEEK SIGHTINGS OF VEHICLE

    The investigation team is seeking sightings of a vehicle of interest in the homicide investigation.

    That vehicle is a red Daihatsu. It has since been recovered by Police through the course of the investigation.

    It is distinctive, with faded red panels on the front driver’s side of the vehicle.

    Police are revising the window of interest to investigators.

    “We need to hear from anyone who saw this vehicle in the Otaika Valley Road and Mangakahia Road areas on Tuesday 28 January, between 8.15pm and 9.15pm,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

    “If you have dashcam footage, or can assist with the movements of this vehicle, please contact us.”

    The public should expect to see Police deployed back into the area later today.

    It will have been a week since Kyle was allegedly murdered.

    “Police will be conducting checkpoints in the Otaika Valley Road area tonight, as well as an area canvass as part of our appeal,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

    An online portal has been set up for any footage or photographs to be uploaded.

    Please go to https://distant.nc3.govt.nz

    Anyone with further information should call Police on 105 and reference the file number 250129/0335.

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

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appeal for information in relation to missing person, Thomas Basire

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd, Hutt Valley Area Investigations Manager:

    Police are appealing for the publics assistance to identify an associate of a Hutt Valley man, missing for over two months.

    28-year-old Tom Basire, was last seen wearing the clothing pictured, walking towards Petone on the stop bank near the Ewen Bridge on Railway Ave, 24 November 2024

    Police have been told that Tom would occasionally visit an associate that lives in Petone.  No other details of this associate are known, and Police are asking for the public’s help to identify this person.

    Last week, Police’s Search and Rescue Team oversaw a search of the Hutt River and riverbank. Police can now advise, no items of interest were located in this search, however, footage which was taken during the search continues to be analysed.

    Police have previously advised that it is out of character for Tom to not be in contact with his family, especially missing seeing his family on his birthday in December.

    Both Police and Tom’s family have serious concerns for his wellbeing and would like to see him return safely

    If you have any information on Tom’s whereabouts or the identity an associate of his from the Petone area, please update us online now or call 105, quoting reference number 241213/6143.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alleged Armed Carjacker Charged After Arrest

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Parren Hawkins, 33, of Washington, D.C., was charged today in Superior Court with armed carjacking in connection with an incident, yesterday, in Northeast D.C. The charge was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

               According to documents filed in court, at approximately 2:47 a.m. on February 2, 2025, police officers were dispatched to 331 15th Street NE, where they located the victim of an armed carjacking. The victim told the officers that the defendant approached him as he sat in his vehicle, pointed a black handgun at him and told him to get out of the vehicle. The victim complied. The defendant then demanded money and took the victim’s wallet and cell phone before fleeing northbound on the 400 block of 15th Street, NE. The victim flagged down a passerby and called 911.

               As police were interviewing the victim, Prince George’s County Police observed the stolen vehicle in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Officers began pursuing the vehicle until the defendant ultimately crashed into a curb. The driver fled on foot and police caught him on Darrington Road with a handgun in his possession.

                Hawkins was presented in court today and ordered detained.

                The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaniqua Butler is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –