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Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Democrats Speak Out After Republicans Block Simple Resolution Condemning Pardons of Individuals Found Guilty of Assaulting Capitol Police Officers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Schumer, Murphy, Kim Lead 47 Senators in Introducing Resolution Condemning Pardons of Individuals Found Guilty of Assaulting Capitol Police Officers

    Murray: “Trump is showing every day, with nearly every action—that he has zero regard for the laws of our country. From pardoning, en masse, violent insurrectionists, to illegally firing government watchdogs charged with holding him accountable, to issuing blatantly unconstitutional executive orders, to asking OMB to halt funding Congress passed—something that is causing serious chaos and harm to red states and blue states alike.”

    ***VIDEO HERE of Senator Murray’s floor speech***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Republicans senselessly blocked a one-line resolution offered by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and her Democratic colleagues that simply condemns the pardons of individuals found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. After Republican John Barrasso (R-WY) blocked the resolution, Murray and Senate Democrats took to the Senate floor to speak out against Trump’s move to grant full, complete, and unconditional pardons to violent criminals who assaulted U.S. Capitol Police officers and call out Republicans for refusing to stand up for the Capitol Police who put their lives on the line—and suffered severe injuries—protecting senators’ lives on January 6th.

    All 47 Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus are cosponsors of the resolution, which simply states: “Resolved, That the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.” A PDF of the resolution is HERE.

    On the Senate floor today, Senator Murray made clear that the throughline of the first week of the Trump administration has been lawlessness—with Trump, “showing every day, with nearly every action, that he has zero regard for the laws of our country. From pardoning, en masse, violent insurrectionists, to illegally firing government watchdogs charged with holding him accountable, to issuing blatantly unconstitutional executive orders, to asking OMB to HALT funding Congress passed— something that is now causing serious chaos and harm to red states and blue states.”

    “I will not sit back and allow President Trump to rewrite the history of the January 6th insurrection,” Murray continued. “Officers here sacrificed tremendously to keep senators safe, Republicans and Democrats alike—and we have the footage, photos, and police reports that clearly show the crimes and the violence committed… President Trump’s decision to pardon, en masse, 1,500 people charged in the insurrection is a truly unthinkable attempt to erase the facts of that day, and undermine our democracy. But it is especially heinous that he chose to pardon individuals who violently attacked our Capitol Police officers… It is a betrayal of the law enforcement that protected us all that day and a dangerous endorsement of political violence—telling criminals that you can beat cops within an inch of their lives as long as it’s in service to Donald Trump.”

    According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, approximately 1,572 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. This includes approximately 598 charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 171 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. As proven in Court, the weapons used and carried on Capitol grounds during the January 6th attack include firearms; OC spray; tasers; edged weapons, including a sword, axes, hatchets, and knives; and makeshift weapons, such as destroyed office furniture, fencing, bike racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC piping, and reinforced knuckle gloves. During the siege of the Capitol on January 6th, 2021, over 80 U.S. Capitol Police Officers were assaulted.

    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:

    “Mr. President, we are a week into the Trump Administration, and it can be summed up in one word: lawlessness. Trump is showing every day, with nearly every action, that he has zero regard for the laws of this country.

    “From pardoning, en masse, violent insurrectionists, to illegally firing government watchdogs charged with holding him accountable, to issuing blatantly unconstitutional executive orders, to asking OMB to halt funding Congress passed—something that is now causing serious chaos and harm to red states and blue states.

    “We are not going to let his strategy of overwhelming chaos win the day. We are fighting each of the actions, and will not stop asserting our power as an equal branch of the government.

    “But right now, today, we are going to focus on one issue in particular—one that is not just alarming, but actually personal to all of us here in the Senate, because it concerns the Capitol Police each of us walk by every single day.

    “I have made it clear, I will not sit back and allow President Trump to rewrite the history of the January 6th insurrection. Already, his Justice Department has taken down the public database that laid out the thousands of investigations—he is literally trying to erase the evidence from public memory!

    “But no President can rewrite history—not unless we stand by and let him. And that is absolutely not going to happen. We will not forget what really happened here on January 6th, 2021.

    “As we all remember, as the American people witnessed in real time, armed insurrectionists—egged on by the sitting president—broke into the U.S. Capitol and violently assaulted Capitol Police officers in their attempt to overturn a free and fair election.

    “You do not have to take my word for it—though, like many of my colleagues, I have a first-person account of that day. The reality is well documented in videos, in photos, in case documents from thousands of people charged with felonies after that day—including assault.

    “We know, as a matter of fact, some insurrectionists brought knives, tasers, axes, hatchets, pepper spray, zip ties and more.

    “We know, as a matter of fact, some assaulted officers with flagpoles, stun guns, fire extinguishers, and bear spray.

    “We know as a matter of fact, that Capitol Police officers suffered severe injuries as a result—including cracked ribs, smashed spinal disks, brain injuries, and even the loss of an eye.

    “Officers here sacrificed tremendously to keep senators safe, Republicans and Democrats alike—and we have the footage, photos, police reports that clearly show the crimes and the violence that was committed.

    “So Mr. President, President Trump’s decision to pardon—en masse—1,500 people charged in the insurrection is truly an unthinkable attempt to erase the facts of that day, and undermine our democracy.

    “But it is especially heinous that he chose to pardon individuals who violently attacked our Capitol Police officers. Not to mention commuting the sentences of 14 others: people found guilty of seditious conspiracy, people like Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, and Stewart Rhodes, leader of the Oath Keepers.

    “It is a betrayal of the law enforcement that protected all of that day, and a dangerous endorsement of political violence—telling criminals that you can beat cops within an inch of their lives as long as it’s in service to Donald Trump.

    “Every one of us here owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to our Capitol Police. They protected our lives, and they protected our democracy. That is why we are here today to pass a resolution today, that makes clear the U.S. Senate stands with our Capitol Police officers—by disapproving the pardon of those who violently attacked the officers who keep us safe.

    “It is a very simple, modest resolution—its reads, in its entirety: ‘Resolved: that the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.’

    “It is that simple. We aren’t relitigating every case—this is only about people guilty of assaulting Capitol Police.

    “I made sure this was short and clear—something we can pass unanimously. Because a message like this really should be unanimous.

    “In fact, Mr. President, just to underscore how straightforward this is—I want to read it in its entirety once again: ‘Resolved: that the Senate disapproves of any pardons for individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police officers.’

    “That’s it. The entire thing. I don’t really think there is anything here for anyone to disagree with.

    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, after Republicans blocked the resolution:

    “Mr. President, I am deeply frustrated that is the response we got today. We cannot agree on something as simple as standing by the officers who keep this building safe?! Officers every one of us walk by every day?

    “There are officers standing just outside the floor right now keeping watch as we are forced to debate whether it was not was okay to pardon the people that violently attacked them.

    “I don’t know how my colleagues who oppose this simple resolution can look them in the eye!

    “It is insulting enough that Speaker Johnson—someone who has a dedicated, 24/7 detail—has refused to put up the plaque honoring the brave officers who kept us safe four years ago.

    “But the fact we can’t pass a resolution as simple as the one I presented today—the fact we can’t all agree that we should side with the people who keep us safe, over the people who are attacking us, is disgraceful.

    “It is unworthy of this body, and unworthy of the sacrifice our Capitol Police have demonstrated time and again. We owe them better.

    “I will not going to stop pushing to make sure we show them we understand that.

    “The President may be able to grant pardons, commute sentences, release criminals, delete databases… but I will tell you here, he can take no action he takes can erase the past, unless we let him.

    “And as long as I can stand, as long as I can speak, as long as I am here—I will not let him, or anyone, rewrite the history of the January 6th insurrection or erase the important lessons that we must learn from it.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Kim, NJ Non-Profits Warn of Severe Disruptions to Vital Community Services Following Trump OMB Guidance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    NEWARK, NJ –– This afternoon, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Andy Kim (D-NJ) joined New Jersey non-profit service providers to warn of the immediate and tangible negative effects the Trump-Vance administration’s January 27 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum will have on communities across the Garden State.

    Requiring all executive departments and agencies “to identify and review all Federal financial assistance,” OMB’s memorandum pauses all grant, loan, and other congressionally apportioned financial assistance programs to municipalities and critical service providers across the country, including funding for veterans’ assistance groups, police, firefighters, and local first responders, early childhood education centers, older adult service providers, and domestic violence survivor organizations. 

    Condemning these pauses, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Andy Kim, and local and state-wide service providers warned:

    “Once again, President Trump has made clear his willingness to inflict pain upon communities across the country, including at home in New Jersey. OMB’s latest guidance has produced immense uncertainty across our state’s municipalities and critical service providers. My office has heard from veterans’ assistance groups, local first responders, and domestic violence survivor organizations, and they’re all telling us the same thing. Their operational integrity and the wellbeing of those they serve are in jeopardy. These are the actions of a callous president––one wholly unconcerned by the day-to-day realities of the majority of Americans and New Jerseyans. While President Trump continues to ignore families who want to see actions that lower costs and make their lives better, I’ll continue to work to guarantee New Jerseyans––from Sussex County to Cumberland County and everywhere in between––have the resources they need to get ahead,” said Senator Cory Booker.

    “President Trump and his administration continue to serve their own power first, not caring that local communities are the collateral damage to their incompetence. OMB’s decision disregards the basic functions of our federal government and how it meets critical needs in communities across our country. We want Donald Trump to know exactly what these decisions and loss of funding could mean for New Jersey: it places independent living centers on the brink, risks vital Meals on Wheels for our seniors, and threatens crucial Head Start services for our families. These are just a couple examples from the calls and messages coming into my office today.  At a moment of such distrust between people and their government, this isn’t simply a disregard for our Constitution, this is a cruel attack hurting families all across this nation. We will look at all possible actions to force the Trump administration to honor Congress’ power of the purse and ensure these funds reach our communities,” said Senator Kim.

    “The new executive order pausing the release of federal grant funding impacts sexual violence services, putting individuals who have been assaulted and their loved ones at greater risk. With reduced funding, service providers face the challenge of maintaining critical support systems, including the availability of advocates to answer hotlines, provide accompaniments to forensic exams, navigate the court system, and offer counseling and other critical services.  Often, there is no duplication of services supporting survivors, and our data show that there are already existing waitlists for them. Interruptions in funding will only exacerbate an already strained system and delay access to care. This increase in wait times will not only heighten the immediate danger of further harm but also prolong the impact on survivors’ healing,” said Robert Baran and Denise Rodriguez, Co-Directors, New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

    “We have worked with Senator Booker countless times to be sure we have secured these much needed dollars to Fire Departments across New Jersey. These dollars have offset costs for manpower, training, and equipment. All of which have provided a safer workplace for our members while we protect the residents and visitors of our great State. We urge the President to release these funds Congress has appropriated for AFG and SAFER grants,” said Eddie Donnelly, President, New Jersey State Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA).

    “A pause in federal funding of any length will impact our ability to serve our homeless veteran population. This is not just the case for our program but for similar programs throughout the nation. The effects of this pause will be immediate and grave. For example, they will imperil the support families enrolled in the VA’s Support Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) programs receive, including rental assistance. And, as rents come due in a matter of days, this raises the specter of evictions and increased veteran homelessness. Additionally, a pause in the federal funding we receive will immediately affect our ability to purchase and prepare food for our 100+ housed veterans, prevent us from taking in, and providing services, for additional homeless veterans in New Jersey, halts our ability to pay leases on vehicles used for support services, and jeopardizes the jobs of nearly 200 employees dedicated to serving our nation’s veterans, many of whom are veterans or were once unhoused veterans themselves. While we will continue to provide those who rely on us with the dignity and care they deserve, OMB’s memorandum seriously endangers the wellbeing of an already vulnerable population,” said Bruce Buckley, Chief Executive Officer, Soldier On.

    “The recent pause in funds has produced considerable concern across the Rutgers University community, which prides itself on the federally supported research and service it carries out to promote the common good and serve the national interest. The federal government is a critical partner to Rutgers, with federal funding for student aid, research, and public service initiatives accounting for about $1 billion of the university’s $5.6 billion budget. As we work across the university to understand the impact of the federal pauses and to provide guidance to our community during these uncertain times, Rutgers remains profoundly committed to our public mission of research, teaching, and service, and to our students’ success,” said Jonathan Holloway, President, Rutgers University.

    “A freeze to the release of federal funds will impact all victims and survivors of domestic violence. The vast majority of our 33 domestic violence providers in NJ rely on federal funding to ensure that every county has a domestic violence shelter, legal advocacy, counseling and other critical services that survivors need. A freeze in funding will increase barriers for survivors seeking safety, and will cause many to stay in abusive situations, increasing the danger and harm they will experience. The federal government must act accordingly, and not hastily, to ensure victims and survivors have the services they need in their community when they need them” said Adrienne Gantz and Nicole Morella, Co-Executive Directors, New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence.

    “Just a few days into their term, the Trump-Vance Administration has imposed an unprecedented freeze on federally funded programs, including programs that benefit more than 578,000 New Jerseyans, who rely on community health centers for vital, cost-efficient and life-saving care. For a majority of our state’s community health centers, this freeze in federal funding will cause them to shutter, leaving hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans without access to healthcare. These freezes come asemerging public health risks––like bird flu and other infectious diseases––continue to pose dangers to our communities. Our health centers are already struggling financially, and many are facing the likelihood of not making payroll in the next few weeks, dealing a death blow to centers that are already having difficulty in retaining an adequate workforce for the services they provide,” said Selina Haq, Ph.D., President/Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Primary Care Association.

    “Boys & Girls Club of Newark has six funding sources that may be impacted by the federal spending freeze. These funds represent more than 10% of our annual budget of $5M and could affect funding for 35-50 team members in direct service with youth. The kinds of programs that could be affected are meal service at our after-school programs, food distribution to families, mentorship for at-risk youth, and critical funding related to safety at our facility. We believe these services are of vital importance to the work we do in our community. Our hope is to see funding restored to ensure our constituents can receive these services that they rely on for their well-being,” said Ameer Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Boys & Girls Club Newark.

    “The freeze in federal funding, which has been imposed, will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on Centers for Independent Living throughout the country. These centers provide crucial support and assistance to individuals with disabilities, allowing them to live independently and fully participate in their communities. With this ban in place, these centers may be forced to put vital services on hold, leaving many individuals without the necessary resources and support they rely on. Furthermore, the ban may also result in significant financial strain for these centers, potentially leading to payrolls being put on hold and difficulty paying rent. This could ultimately jeopardize the ability of these centers to continue operating and providing essential services to those in need. The impact of this ban will not only be felt by the centers themselves, but also by the individuals they serve, creating a ripple effect throughout the disability community. It is essential that this ban be reconsidered and alternative solutions be explored to ensure that Centers for Independent Living can continue their important work without interruption,” said Carole Tonks, Executive Director, Alliance Center for Independence – Edison, NJ.

    “This order to halt federal funding will have devastating consequences for millions of New Jerseyans, including many that New Jersey Citizen Action directly serves. Federal grants enable many organizations like ours to help New Jerseyans to save themselves from foreclosures, afford first-time homebuyer loans, protect themselves from housing discrimination, file their taxes for free, navigate essential social safety-net programs, and achieve financial stability. These key investments have allowed New Jersey to build stronger communities and healthier, thriving families. The order would also affect the entire New Jersey nonprofit sector dedicated to serving our state’s most vulnerable populations.  These include organizations that provide services for seniors, people with disabilities, children, women, victims of domestic violence, and organizations in the field of mental health. It’s unconscionable that the Trump administration should halt these investments—which have already been approved by Congress—for American taxpayers while considering further tax cuts for billionaires and corporations,” said Dena Mottola, Executive Director, New Jersey Citizen Action.

    “The work that we do along with other nonprofit public health agencies is vital to the health of our communities. We know that maternal child health is critical to the health of our nation and limiting or cutting funding that states, agencies and programs like ours receive will have negative long-term consequences on the women, children and families that we serve,” said Robyn D’Oria MA, RNC, APN, Chief Executive Officer, Central Jersey Family Health Consortium. 

    Additional programs and initiatives adversely impacted by OMB’s memorandum include but are not limited to:

    Head Start

    Click here for a state-by-state table of FY 2024 funding for Head Start, which funds comprehensive early childhood education, or here for state-by-state fact sheets that use the same funding data.  

    VAWA Grants

    Click here for state level totals of FY 2024 grant funding from the Office of Violence Against Women.    

    Community Health Center

    Click here for a 2023 table of state-by-state Section 330 grant funding for community health centers, which provide affordable care for millions of Americans. 

    IDEA and Other Department of Education Grant Programs

    Click here for a state-by-state table of IDEA Grants (which help children with disabilities) from FY 2023, and data on other grant programs through the Department of Education that could be impacted by the freeze.  

    COPS Grants

    The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program is a Department of Justice grant program for law enforcement. More info here, and many of the links include state-by-state fact sheets. This link here includes FY 2024 grant amounts for the COPS Hiring Program (CHP). These are divided up by state but you may have to calculate your state’s total separately.  

    State Opioid Response Grants

    Click here for total state awards from FY 2024 for the State Opioid Response Grantsprogram, which funds addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services.  

    SBA Loans to Small Business

    Click here for a dashboard of approved SBA loans by state for recent fiscal years including FY 2024. State totals for both the 7(a) program and 504 program are available. Copying values from the dashboard does not always work, but the Download Data option is a good other way to access the numbers.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS inspects Lo Wu Control Point

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki paid a visit to the Lo Wu Control Point this morning to learn about the various arrangements and operations of relevant departments to cope with the increase in inbound and outbound passenger traffic during the Lunar New Year period.

    Mr Chan also expressed wishes for the country to thrive vigorously, for Hong Kong to have harmony and prosperity, and every success to the community.

    During his visit to the control point, the Chief Secretary extended his New Year greetings to the staff on duty and expressed his gratitude to them for performing their duties with dedication during the holidays.

    Along the way, he took the opportunity to extend Lunar New Year greetings to citizens and travellers.

    Accompanied by Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok and Commissioner of Customs & Excise Chan Tsz-tat, Mr Chan met the frontline staff of the Immigration Department, Customs and Police on duty at the control point.

    He learnt about the arrangements and operation conditions for customs clearance, diverting passenger movements, public order maintenance, etc at the control point during the Lunar New Year period.

    Mr Chan was pleased to note that the relevant government departments have been in close co-ordination and liaison with stakeholders of transport, tourism and other sectors for making good preparations for receiving visitors during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, and ensuring the orderly operation of boundary control points.

    The Chief Secretary also encouraged visitors arriving in Hong Kong to stay overnight during the Lunar New Year holidays to fully enjoy the rich and diverse celebratory activities to be held across various districts and experience Hong Kong’s unique city charm.

    At the same time, he instructed relevant departments to collaborate with various stakeholders, including public transport operators, to strengthen information dissemination, including the situation at various boundary control points, details of celebration events and transport arrangements.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On the Senate Floor, Cortez Masto Calls Out Trump’s Anti-Law Enforcement Pardons

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    “Earlier today, my Democratic colleagues and I co-sponsored a resolution to condemn these pardons. One would think that my Republican colleagues who claim to be pro-law enforcement would sign onto this resolution and stand against any action that harms our police.”
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) blasted President Trump on the Senate floor for pardoning a drug trafficking kingpin and the violent criminals who assaulted police officers on January 6, 2021. A former prosecutor and Nevada attorney general, Cortez Masto urged her supposedly pro-law enforcement Republican colleagues to join her resolution condemning these pardons.
    Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:
    Mr. President, I’m so appreciative of my colleagues coming down here to talk about not only the January 6 pardons that President Trump has done but to stand with the men and women in law enforcement.
    When I’m home, quite often I will hear at times that “well, Democrats don’t support law enforcement, they don’t support the men and women who keep our communities safe.” And that’s just not true, as you can see today.
    But here’s what I know, and this is why this was devastating to so many men and women who not only are Capitol Police officers right here, who defended our Capitol on January 6, who stand to protect us, but for all of the men and women in law enforcement across this country who are paying attention and watching what this president does.
    Will he have their back when the time comes? Will he be there to truly support them in their time of need when they’re doing their job like he says he will?
    Now, we’ve spent the last decade hearing Donald Trump talk about “law and order” and cracking down on crime. Last fall, on a national podcast, he called for giving our law enforcement their “dignity back”. Just last week at a White House press conference, he claimed to be a friend of the police.
    Well, Donald Trump has been in office for just one week, and already his actions are making it clear that he doesn’t mean what he says. In fact, from his actions we’ve seen so far, he’s actively working against our men and women in law enforcement – not only here who work at this Capitol, but across this country.
    Let me put this in starker terms that I think my Republican colleagues will understand. Mr. President, Nevada families across my state have been torn apart by dangerous drugs like methamphetamines and opioids. And that’s true for so many families across the country.
    It doesn’t matter if they’re Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, or independents – illicit drug trafficking is impacting everyone in this country.
    But last week, Donald Trump pardoned the founder of Silk Road, an underground internet site that oversaw the trafficking of $200 million in illegal drugs and other illicit trade.
    The founder was convicted by a jury of his peers and sentenced to life in prison for participating in a criminal organization and distributing narcotics on the internet.
    Americans died after purchasing illicit drugs on his website. A website that was specifically designed to skirt the law and support criminal activity.
    But now, this founder is walking free because of Donald Trump.
    Donald Trump giving a full, unconditional pardon to this drug dealer and criminal profiteer is a slap in the face to the victims of this crisis, and to law enforcement who work to protect our communities and to take drug traffickers like him off our streets.
    What Donald Trump has done is not law and order, it’s chaos.
    And it’s not just with this one pardon.
    Donald Trump has also pardoned more than 130 individuals who were convicted of assaulting police officers right here at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
    I was here that day. I remember running into a Capitol Police officer who was pepper-sprayed by a rioter in Donald Trump’s mob. And at the same time that he was washing out his eyes, he was saying to us senators, “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back, and I am standing guard.” And he ran back out to the front of the Capitol. He was doing his job.
    That day, those rioters and insurrectionists brought weapons and zip ties to the Capitol, they used WD-40 and bear spray on our officers, and they assaulted Capitol Police with American flags.
    This isn’t some political conspiracy – these insurrectionists posted videos online of themselves shoving, punching, and attacking our law enforcement.
    And now, instead of serving their time and facing the consequences for the dangerous actions they committed against our police officers, Donald Trump is telling them that not only were they wrongfully punished, but in fact, their behavior on that day is encouraged – as long as they’re doing his bidding.
    Criminals convicted of attacking law enforcement are giving TV interviews saying that President Trump’s pardons have vindicated their actions.
    This is an endorsement of political violence, and it’s an insult to the men and women who risk their lives every day to keep our families safe.
    I know many law enforcement officers personally. As a former prosecutor and attorney general of the state of Nevada, I’ve spent most of my life working with some great men and women in law enforcement.
    And by the way, I’m married to one. My husband worked in federal law enforcement his entire career. His priority was doing his job and keeping people safe, because that’s what our law enforcement is trained to do. To put their lives on the line every single time to keep our communities safe.
    And it’s not just about the officers – it’s about their families. When you are the spouse or the loved one of an officer who gets that call, sometimes in the middle of the night, and they leave to address some crime or issue and keep your community safe, you don’t know if they’re coming back.
    There are two calls that are the worst kind you can get as the spouse of a law enforcement officer. The first one is from your spouse saying “I’m in the hospital, but don’t worry, everything’s okay.” The second one is not from your spouse, but it’s from another law enforcement officer telling you that your husband or wife went out on a call and didn’t come back.
    The sacrifices of not only our officers but their loved ones need to be considered. And if we truly believe in law and order and we truly believe that we should support them because they put their lives on the line every single day, then we should have their backs. No matter your politics, we should always be there to support them.
    I will always stand up for law enforcement.
    I’ve passed legislation to support public safety under administrations of both parties. And I will always speak out when our leaders act against law enforcement, whether they’re a Democrat or a Republican.
    I disagreed with President Biden granting pardons to his family, I disagreed when he granted clemency for Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of murdering two FBI agents. And I disagree with President Biden in commuting the sentence of Adrian Peeler, who was convicted of drug trafficking and murder.
    I also spoke out when President Biden nominated Adeel Mangi to be a federal judge. I did not support him because of his affiliation with a group that wanted to let cop killers out of prison.
    That was me standing up for law enforcement.
    So believe me when I say, this is not partisan; this is about standing up for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day.
    This shouldn’t be hard. You commit a violent crime in our community, you should face the consequences.
    Don’t take my word for it – the Fraternal Order of Police, which is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the world, has condemned Trump’s pardoning of those who assaulted Capitol Police officers on January 6.
    But there are too many members of this body, who had the benefit of those Capitol Police officers on January 6 protecting their lives, who have been oddly silent.
    Earlier today, my Democratic colleagues and I co-sponsored a resolution to condemn these pardons. One would think that my Republican colleagues who claim to be pro-law enforcement would sign onto this resolution and stand against any action that harms our police.
    If we truly believe in law and order and we want to work together to keep our communities safe, we have to not only talk about it, we have to act.
    Because the American people deserve better. The American people deserve a president who isn’t going to release violent criminals back into our communities. The American people deserve safety – and our law enforcement, who maintain that safety, deserve to know we have their backs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man arrested following unprovoked assault in Palmerston North

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross:

    A man has been arrested following an assault at a Palmerston North Park this afternoon, Wednesday 29 January.

    About 1pm, Police responded to a park on Dogwood Way following reports one person had received injuries consistent with a stab wound following an unprovoked assault.

    One person was transported to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition where they are receiving medical treatment.

    Police would like to thank the members of the public who were delayed while Police responded to the incident.

    A 25-year-old man is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow, Thursday 29 January, on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

    This was a callous and unprovoked attack which we will not tolerate in our community.

    If you witness any unlawful activity, please contact Police on 111 if it is happening now or 105 either online or over the phone if it is after the fact.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of Jackson Gang Admits to Conspiracy to Traffic Unique Form of Fentanyl

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

    DETROIT – A Houston, Texas resident and leader of the violent Jackson street gang the “Thorough Bread Family,” Tamarious “Poogi” Faulkner, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced today.

    Beck was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Detroit Field Division, Colonel James F. Grady, II, Michigan State Police, Director Elmer J. Hitt, Jackson Police and Fire Services, and Sheriff Gary Schuette, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 

    Tamarious Faulkner, 28, of Houston, Texas, was the leader of the Thorough Bread Family (TBF), a violent street gang that primarily operated in Jackson, Michigan. In his plea, Faulkner admitted that he was the leader of the conspiracy and that he and his co-conspirators distributed large amounts of fentanyl in Jackson. According to court documents, the fentanyl sold by the gang had a unique texture and coloring. Unlike most fentanyl, typically sold in powder form, TBF’s fentanyl was sold in a rock-like crystalline form, and was often colored yellow, purple, or blue, rather than the usual white. Faulkner and his fellow gang members also possessed firearms and machineguns in furtherance of the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.

    Six other co-conspirators have already been sentenced as follows:

    • Demond Johns, age 27 of Jackson: 128 months’ prison
    • Dominque Faulkner, age 33 of Jackson: 126 months’ prison
    • Zaire Faulkner, age 26 of Jackson: 120 months’ prison
    • Demarquan Smith, age 23 of Jackson: 120 months’ prison
    • Tommy Owens, age 33 of Jackson: 87 months’ prison
    • Mario Murguia, age 24 of Jackson: 60 months’ prison

    “As is so often the case when drugs and gangs intersect, TBF wreaked havoc on a community by peddling poison and protecting their drug business with violence. The United States Attorney’s Office, in coordination with our federal, state, and local partners, will aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals, groups, and gangs like TBF who do so much to corrode public safety and the well-being of a community,” Acting U.S. Attorney Beck said.

    “Today’s guilty plea is a huge win for the Jackson community. The Thorough Bred gang and Dominque Faulkner let their greed and desire for power guide their violent pathway straight into prison like a yellow brick road,” said James Deir ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division.  Like Dorothy and Toto, they are not in Kansas anymore; their cyclone of gun violence has blown them straight into federal prison for an extended period of time. To be clear: There is no place in our community for people who use illegal firearms to carry out fear, intimidate others, or facilitate drug dealing. Our community deserves better than Mr. Faulkner and his merry gang of thugs.”

    Tamarious Faulkner is scheduled to be sentenced on April 29, 2025, before Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. Faulkner faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the Michigan State Police, Jackson Police Department, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew R. Picek, Matthew Roth, and Craig Welkener.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS celebrates Chinese New Year with community (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    CS celebrates Chinese New Year with community (with photos)
    CS celebrates Chinese New Year with community (with photos)
    ***********************************************************

         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (January 29), on the Chinese New Year’s Day, wishes the country to thrive vigorously, for Hong Kong to have harmony and prosperity, and every success to the community. He paid a visit to the Lo Wu Control Point this morning to learn about the various arrangements and operations of relevant departments to cope with the increase in inbound and outbound passenger traffic during the Chinese New Year period. During the visit, he extended his New Year greetings to the staff on duty, and expressed his gratitude to them for performing their duties with dedication during the holidays. Along the way, he took the opportunity to extend his Chinese New Year greetings to the citizens and travellers he met.           Accompanied by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok; and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, Mr Chan inspected the Lo Wu Control Point and met the frontline staff of the Immigration Department (ImmD), the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) and the Hong Kong Police Force on duty. He learned about the arrangements and operation conditions for customs clearance, diverting passenger movements, public order maintenance, etc at the control point during the Chinese New Year period.            Mr Chan was pleased to note that the relevant government departments have been in close co-ordination and liaison with stakeholders of transport, tourism and other sectors for making good preparation for receiving visitors during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, and ensuring the orderly operation of boundary control points. Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers during the Chinese New Year period, to enable flexible deployment of manpower, and operation of additional counters and channels with a view to diverting passenger and vehicular flow. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by the Police, the ImmD, the C&ED, and other relevant departments; and the Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department will both operate 24 hours a dayduring the Golden Week, to closely monitor the situation of various control points and traffic conditions, and take prompt measures to ensure the smooth operation of various aspects in receiving visitors. Mr Chan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to colleagues of the Government and practitioners of various industries for their hard work during the Chinese New Year period.           Mr Chan also appealed to visitors arriving in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year holidays to plan ahead for their itineraries. He encouraged them to stay overnight after participating in various local celebratory activities for the Chinese New Year and to make reference to the ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Hong Kong launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to fully enjoy the rich and diverse celebratory activities to be held across various districts in the city and experience Hong Kong’s unique city charm. At the same time, he instructed relevant departments to collaborate with various stakeholders, including public transport operators, to strengthen information dissemination including the situation at various boundary control points, details of celebration events and transport arrangements to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.           On January 27, Mr Chan participated in year-end caring visits in 18 districts co-ordinated by the Home Affairs Department. He visited elderly singleton and elderly doubleton grassroots families living in Po Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O, and distributed blessing bags to them to express the Government’s heartfelt wishes. He engaged in warm exchanges with the residents to let them feel the care and support of the community. He also attended the Yau Tsim Mong Presents – The Year of The Snake: Countdown Celebration at the Yau Ma Tei Community Centre Rest Garden yesterday (January 28) to share with the public the joys and blessings of the festive season and welcome the Year of the Snake. 

     
    Ends/Wednesday, January 29, 2025Issued at HKT 12:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH15 to remain closed overnight

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    |

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises State Highway 15 between Maungatapere and Otaika will remain closed overnight as NZ Police investigations into the unexplained death of a motorcyclist continue.

    Detours remain in place via State Highway 14 and State Highway 1 for those traveling between Maungatapere and Otaika. Those traveling from Otaika to Maungatapere should take the same route, in reverse.

    Motorists are asked to drive with care along the detour route, with increased traffic volumes and students having returned to schools in the area this week.

    Locals who need to access their properties along the stretch of State Highway 15 between Maungatapere and Otaika should approach uniformed staff at the cordon.

    The road is expected to remain closed into tomorrow afternoon and people are encouraged to visit the Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) for up to date information on the closure and detour route before they travel.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience.

    Tags

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Historic Child Abuse

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 53-year-old man in relation to historic child abuse offending committed in Western Australia in 2014.

    The man failed to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court in 2018 before travelling to the Northern Territory.

    On 29 January 2025, the Northern Territory Police Sex Crimes Unit located the man in Casuarina and arrested him for the outstanding matter.

    Western Australia Police are currently in the process of extraditing him back to Perth.

    Northern Territory Police are committed to working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable for their actions, regardless of where they attempt to evade responsibility.

    Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://crimestoppers.com.au/.

    You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video: Kaine Speaks on Senate Floor Regarding Trump’s Pardons of Individuals Found Guilty of Assaulting Police Officers on January 6, 2021

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO IS AVAILABLE HERE.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to President Trump’s pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting police officers during the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Kaine and his colleagues sought unanimous consent to pass their resolution condemning these pardons, but its passage was blocked by Senate Republicans. During Kaine’s floor speech, he also highlighted the five Virginia law enforcement officers who tragically lost their lives after defending the Capitol on that day, including Howie Liebengood.
    A full transcript of Kaine’s speech as delivered is available below:
    Mr. President.
    I rise together with my colleagues to speak in opposition to the President’s action pardoning those who attacked this Capitol on January 6, 2021. I was here that day. I shared that day with these colleagues, and we all have memories of it—memories that we never would have imagined and hope never to repeat.
    But I’m not going to talk about my experiences of the day.
    I’m going to talk about a friend, a Virginian, Howie Liebengood, a Capitol Police Officer who spent his career protecting this building and who died as a result of that day. And the fact that President Trump would pardon the people who attacked this Capitol leading to Howie Liebengood’s death is a deep, deep stain to President Trump and frankly a stain on this body if we casually tolerate it.
    Howie Liebengood is a Virginian who grew up in this building. His father was the Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate and prior to assuming that role, worked in other roles in the Senate. And Howie and his two siblings grew up coming to the capitol and treating it like it was sort of their playground and their yard, running through the halls, meeting senators, hearing their dad tell stories about what it was like to serve this Article I branch as a patriotic American public servant.
    When Howie came of age, he started a career that he enjoyed and worked together with his father for a number of years as a NASCAR driver. And he worked on the NASCAR circuit—kind of working his way up from minor league races to more significant races.
    But after a number of years of doing that—look, he was a child of the United States Senate, he was a child of this Capitol—and he decided he would enter the training program to be a Capitol Police Officer. And he told his siblings—by this time, his father had passed—I think my dad would be very, very proud of me.
    Howie went through the Academy and became a Capitol Police Officer, and I came to know him—as I suspect many of my colleagues did—because he usually was staffing the Delaware door at the corner of Delaware and Constitution right here—the Delaware door to the Russell building. And this a door that I know Senator Murray’s office is right close to that door—maybe the closest office to that door and mine is close as well. We would come in in the morning, and Howie Liebengood would be there to greet us, to ask questions about the procedural vote from the night before or what was on today.
    As much as he was a friend to mine, he was even more of a friend to my staff. My staff loved interacting with Howie, and he eventually served as a Capitol Police Officer for 15 years.
    He was here on January 6 when his beloved Capitol was attacked. And as devastating as that attack was for many of us, for Howie—who had made this place his whole life, who had really been raised in these halls—that attack was very devastating.
    In the aftermath of the attack, those working on the Capitol Police were put on extended hours—little sleep. Would there be more attacks? Where was this going? What would happen? It was a time of fear and anxiety and confusion.
    And a few days later, within three days after that attack of January 6, Howie went to his home in Virginia. His wife Serena asked if he was doing okay. She could tell he was under enormous stress, and he said he just needed to sleep. And Howie went upstairs and using his own service revolver, ended his life.
    Howie Liebengood would be alive today if President Trump hadn’t urged people to gather to do something wild in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 and then urged those gathering to go up and raise hell at the Capitol.
    My friend would be alive if President Trump had not done what he did.
    I’ve waited in vain, not naively, but with a hope that there might be some sign of remorse over what happened—for the pain suffered by Serena Liebengood and Howie’s siblings and family members.
    Four other law enforcement officers, all of whom lived in Virginia, lost their life as a result of that day. Dozens of others were injured.
    And I have waited for years to see if there might be some semblance of remorse shown by the president who inspired that attack, for the damage and pain and loss of life and injury that he’s caused, and I’ve seen not a shred of it.
    But these pardons are the ultimate injustice, are the ultimate injury. The family’s still suffering. For them, it’s salt in an unhealed wound and an injury that will never heal.
    And so I join with my colleagues in Howie’s memory, in support of Serena, in support of Howie’s family, to stand on this floor and deplore as strongly as I can—and words aren’t sufficient to really explain how I feel about this—but I stand here to deplore as strongly as I can the pardons of these law breakers who gathered for a particular time at a particular moment in a particular place to conduct violence in the cause of a particular result, the overturning of the peaceful transfer of power.
    And as I sit down, Mr. President, I’ll just say this.
    I lived in a military dictatorship in 1980 and 81 in Honduras when the military ran everything. I know what authoritarianism is. I didn’t live there for years like my Honduran friends, but I experienced it.
    I was very naive. I was 22 years old when I lived there, and I saw what it’s like to have a society run by somebody who believes they are all powerful, who can change any rule, who can foment violence, who can make sure that those who commit violence escape with impunity.
    I know what this is like, and we are in danger of moving into the same kind of authoritarian behavior when we casually pardon and excuse those who perpetrate violence to overturn our democracy.
    That’s a big concept, but it all comes down to the effect that it has on individual people like my friend Howie Liebengood.
    And with that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Urges Colleagues To Pass Resolution Condemning President Trump’s Pardons Of The January 6 Insurrectionists Who Assaulted Police Officers At The U.S. Capitol

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    January 28, 2025
    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke in favor of U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s (D-WA) resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of the January 6 insurrectionists who assaulted the brave police officers defending the U.S. Capitol that day. The resolution was rejected by Senate Republicans.
    “For many of us, it’s personal. We were here on the Senate Floor on January 6, 2021. Vice President Pence was presiding. I was sitting at this very desk. A few minutes after two o’clock, the Secret Service came in and literally removed him from his chair. We knew there were demonstrations outside, but we didn’t know how serious or how violent they’d become,” Durbin said.
    “The insurrectionist mob was taking over the Capitol. Thousands of people were storming into this building not for peaceful demonstration by any means, but sadly for violence and destruction. That day was the worst day I can recall in the history of the Senate in terms of our respect for this building that has become a symbol not only for the United States, but for the world—for peace and democracy. And I thought of those poor Capitol police who were asked to defend us with their lives. They were asked to risk their lives for us, and they did. Some of the things that were done to them were outrageous. You’ve seen the videotape. We saw [the footage] as they tore down building structures, as they beat up on these cops, as many of them faced death, and we knew at the time it was that serious. The grimmest reality of those riots was the subsequent death of five of the law enforcement officers and the injuries to approximately 140 others, many of whom still pay a price to this day.”
    Last week, President Trump, who incited the violence, commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and granted full, complete, and unconditional pardons to approximately 1,500 others convicted of offenses related to the January 6th attack. Many of the perpetrators have shown a stunning lack of remorse following their violent assaults on the brave members of the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department who protected the Capitol that day.
    “For example, last August, David Dempsey, just a few hours after receiving a 240-month prison sentence for attacking police on January 6 with a flagpole, crutches, pepper spray, and pieces of furniture, called into a gathering of supporters outside the D.C. jail. In reference to Trump’s opponents, Mr. Dempsey said, ‘Don’t celebrate too hard, man, because that sentence is only going to last like six months…’ Devlyn Thompson attempted to throw a speaker at police officers—which ended up hitting and injuring a fellow rioter—and hit a police officer with a metal baton, according to court documents. Daniel ‘D.J.’ Rodriguez, a California man who drove a stun gun into an officer’s neck during one of the most violent clashes of the Capitol riot, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison before President Trump granted him clemency. Andrew Taake pepper-sprayed police officers and hit one with a metal whip. He was supposed to serve 74 months at a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas, but he was pardoned by President Trump,” said Durbin.
    “As Winston Churchill said once, ‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it,’” Durbin continued. “That is why we must continue sounding the alarm on the violence and chaos of that day to ensure that it never happens again. We must also be clear that violence for political purposes is never, never acceptable and has no place in a democracy.”
    Durbin concluded, “The men and women who bravely defended the members of this body deserve better—and we should honor them for their heroic efforts on that day, not excuse the thugs who attacked this body and the ideals it represents… I thank Senator Murray for introducing this important resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of the January 6 insurrectionists who assaulted our brave law enforcement officers, and I am disgusted that our Republican colleagues won’t join us in honoring the men and women who risk their lives every single day for us.”
    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road blocked, SH30, Bennydale

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 30 is blocked after a truck rolled dislodging a powerline around 12:56pm.

    The driver received minor injuries.

    The road is expected to remain blocked for the next 1-2 hours and motorists are advised to take an alternate route. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Yirkkala

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 38-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Yirkkala on Monday night.

    At 9.55pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports that a 38-year-old male had been assaulted by his relative.

    The offender allegedly assaulted the victim with a blunt object, resulting in serious injuries to his head.

    The victim was conveyed to the Gove District Hospital, and subsequently transferred to Royal Darwin Hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

    Police attended and established a crime scene.

    The 38-year-old offender was arrested yesterday morning and remains in custody.

    Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to call police on 131 444 and quote reference P25027509. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    Support services for those affected by domestic or family violence are available, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline (13 11 14).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Syracuse Man Admits to Illegally Possessing a Rifle at a Gas Station

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard Bradley, age 36, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Bradley admitted that, on September 9, 2024, he possessed a loaded rifle in his vehicle, which was parked at a gas station in East Syracuse. Bradley inadvertently fired the rifle several times, but did not strike anyone. As a result of his prior felony conviction for Criminal Mischief, Bradley could not lawfully possess a firearm.

    Sentencing is scheduled for June 10, 2025, before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Bradley faces up to fifteen years in federal prison, along with a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to three years. He also could be fined up to $250,000, and will be required to forfeit the assault rifle to the United States. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    ATF and the Manlius Police Department are investigating the case with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

    Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Decries Trump Pardons for Violent January 6 Insurrectionists

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (January 28, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today on President Trump’s pardons for violent January 6 insurrectionists. Yesterday, Senator Markey joined the Senate Democratic caucus in introducing a resolution condemning the pardons of individuals who were found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers. 

    “On January 6, 2021, dedicated officers of the U.S. Capitol Police were forced to protect members of Congress in medieval-style combat as a vicious mob armed with firearms, bear spray, and metal barricades forced its way into the U.S. Capitol. Officers died as a result of the insurrection, and many more were left beaten and bruised. Donald Trump pardoned the January 6 insurrectionists, including violent felons, in one swoop—a disgraceful insult not only to our democracy, but to the law enforcement officers who show up every day to protect and serve us,” said Senator Markey. “I’m astounded by the silence among my Republican colleagues. They claim to ‘back the blue’ but now they laud the violent criminals who left our officers black and blue on January 6. We now know that the Republican party is no longer the party of ‘law and order,’ but the party of ‘chaos and disorder.’ Donald Trump’s pardons are a dangerous and shameful abuse of presidential power. We should all be united in denouncing them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is a ‘crime scene’, really? An expert explains how it’s more than just blue police tape

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vincent Hurley, Lecturer in Criminology. Police and policing. Dept of Security Studies & Criminology, Macquarie University

    When you watch the news, one phrase usually comes up as soon as crime is mentioned: “police have established a crime scene”.

    If you’re a fan of the forensics crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, it will conjure up images of police waving a blue, fluorescent UV light in a darkened room looking for blood, saliva, fingerprints, footprints or tooth impressions.

    CSI has influenced an entire generation – this year, the franchise will celebrate its 25th anniversary. But the reality of crime scene investigation is far more complex.

    As a criminology lecturer and ex-police officer, I know a thing or two about crime scenes, having managed hundreds of them. I have even been a crime scene myself. Here’s what they really entail.

    There’s usually more than one crime scene

    In the early 20th century, French forensic science pioneer Edmond Locard noted it’s impossible for criminals to act “without leaving traces of this presence”. No matter where a criminal steps or what they touch, they leave behind, even unconsciously, evidence that serves as a silent witness against them.

    The idea that criminals will leave something behind at the crime scene while taking something with them is known today as Locard’s principle.

    Crime scenes are incredibly diverse. They don’t just involve the physical location. A person’s body and any objects found in relation to the crime are also part of a crime scene.

    The primary crime scene is where the event took place – for example, where a murder, arson attack or drive-by shooting occurred.

    There will be several additional crime scenes, too. In the course of the investigation, a second crime scene might be established where the criminal planned the crime. If they dumped a getaway vehicle, that’s a third crime scene. If they stashed a weapon, clothes or other objects in a safe house after the crime, that’s a fourth crime scene.

    A fifth crime scene will be established when the criminal is arrested – they themselves are also a crime scene. Their hair, clothing and fingernails will be tested for various residues, such as the skin or blood of a victim, or even illicit substances if the crime involves drug trafficking.

    Lastly, the victim is a crime scene, too. They may have body fluids, skin, hair and other material from the criminal on them.

    In my detective career, I myself have been a crime scene when I found a badly injured abduction victim who collapsed in my arms. At that point, traces of the offender’s blood and hair transferred onto my clothing. I had to take the clothes off and they were kept as evidence.

    Hair found on a victim’s clothing can serve as evidence.
    Sendo Serra/Shutterstock

    Crime scenes are confusing

    Shows like CSI often portray crime scenes as neat and clear cut, with evidence easily obtained.

    In reality, crime scenes are chaotic. They are full of clutter and the police don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not.

    During a crime scene search, police have to speculate about what happened, as often there are no eyewitnesses. A bullet casing or a bloody knife would be obvious. But what of the more common household items in the house or room? Who owns the shirt or jumper? Why is the bedroom in disarray, is that normal? What did the criminal touch or not touch? Was there just one criminal or two? What belongs to the victim?

    Unlike on TV, police don’t always know what they are looking for because often they don’t know how the crime occurred. The cause of a death can be obvious, but how it unfolded is not.

    Crime scenes are fragile

    With a murder on a TV show, the CSI team usually arrives at a home or an outdoor crime scene, surrounded by crime scene tape. The first thing they do is lift the tape and walk straight to the body.

    This is the worst possible crime scene practice.

    The detectives would be walking directly on and over the same entry or exit path the offenders used. This would destroy fragile microscopic residues of blood, dirt or plant vegetation.

    In reality, walking in and out of a crime scene this way does not happen. Prior to entering any crime scene, police look around and try to figure out which way the offender may have come and gone.

    Once weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each option, they’ll pick a specific entry and exit point, and stick to that until the scene has been completely examined.

    Lifting the police tape and walking straight to the body is bad practice – the tape is there for a reason.
    Gordenkoff/Shutterstock

    A systematic search – and not just for DNA

    Crime scenes are also searched in different ways.

    One way to ensure no evidence is missed is with a “grid and height” search. This means searching one square metre at a time. As the police get closer to the walls of the room, they start looking from the floor up to the height of their knees.

    Once this is done, they go from their knee to their waist, then from their waist to their shoulder, then their shoulder to the top of their head, and then from the top of their head to a metre above it – until they reach the ceiling. Then they examine the ceiling.

    Police don’t look solely for the holy grail of DNA. Rather, they are trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle of what happened, why it happened, and what the criminal unintentionally left behind.

    Decades of forensic TV dramas have resulted in the “CSI effect” – the idea that finding, collecting and analysing evidence at a crime scene is straightforward, and that the evidence is infallible. This is not so. But shows like CSI have also spawned a generation of people interested in becoming real crime scene investigators and forensic scientists.

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

    – ref. What is a ‘crime scene’, really? An expert explains how it’s more than just blue police tape – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-crime-scene-really-an-expert-explains-how-its-more-than-just-blue-police-tape-245369

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Update on Grey Lynn intentional damage

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A woman allegedly responsible for a raft of smashed windows will be out of the community for at least three months.

    Police have been investigating recent reports of wilful damage on Sackville Street in Grey Lynn.

    On Monday, frontline Police located a 39-year-old Grey Lynn woman and charged her with intentional damage.

    Auckland City West’s Area Commander, Inspector Alisse Robertson, says Police have since successfully opposed the woman’s bail.

    “The woman will be remanded in custody until her next appearance on 15 April in the Auckland District Court,” she says.

    “I know these ongoing occurrences have caused angst and frustration amongst residents, so we are providing the community with an update for reassurance.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Police seize more than 4500 XL Bully dogs since ban

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    500% increase in police costs for dealing with dangerous dogs expected by end of financial year 

    Almost one year on from the ban on XL Bully dogs in the UK, the latest figures show the huge burden this has placed on policing, with kennel spaces reaching capacity and costs increasing by the day.  

    Chief Constable Mark Hobrough is National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for dangerous dogs, he said: 

    “Since the introduction of the ban on XL Bully dogs police services have had to quickly adapt, taking positive action to respond to thousands of calls from the public and doing everything we can to remove these dangerous dogs from our communities.  

    “Undoubtedly the ban and our response to it has driven down the number of dog attacks and we are pleased that the public continues to support us by reporting suspected XL Bully dogs in their local area.  

    “However, the demand has been and continues to be simply huge. We are facing a number of challenges in kennel capacity, resourcing and ever-mounting costs and as of today, we have not received any additional funding to account for this.  

    “Veterinary bills and the cost of kennelling across policing has risen from £4m in 2018 to currently standing at more than £11m and this is expected to rise to as much as £25m by the end of April 2025. That’s a predicted 500% increase. 

    “Before the XL Bully ban was introduced there were 120 Dog Liaison Officers across England and Wales, we then trained an additional 100 with a further 40 identified to be trained this coming year.  This means that in some areas established dog handlers have been called away from other policing duties. We have had to purchase additional vehicles, equipment and find countless extra kennel spaces from the finite that are available within the industry.   

    “Policing will uphold the government’s decisions, and we’ll act robustly to do so, but the bigger picture is a focus on responsible dog ownership. People need to be aware of the types of dogs that they’re bringing into their homes and make the right decisions to choose a breed which suits their lifestyle, environment and experience. 

    “We are also asking for amendments to the existing legislation so we have alternative options to deal with the specific circumstances of a particular case. At the moment, the only option you have is to go to court when someone is in possession of an unregistered XL Bully but we feel there are some situations which could be swiftly dealt with through out of court disposals. For example, there’s potentially a big difference in someone who has unwittingly ended up owning a dog from a young age they weren’t aware was an XL Bully or those who on veterinary advice were unable to have their dog neutered by the deadline versus an individual who is intentionally breeding and selling these dogs.  

    “At the top end, unscrupulous criminal dealers and breeders need to feel the full weight of the law going to court but alternative methods of out of court disposals would support us in taking a proportionate response as required.   

    “We will always protect our communities by ensuring these dangerous dogs are dealt with but we urgently need the Government to support us in coping with the huge demand the ban has placed on our ever-stretched resources.” 

    Statistics 
    • Police forces in England and Wales have seized and euthanised 848 dogs between February and September 2024 at an estimated cost of £340K. These were dogs which were surrendered to police by owners who had not complied with the ban, nor taken advantage of the compensation scheme. 
    • Between February and September 2024, policing has seized over 4,586 suspected S1 dogs * throughout England and Wales. People have been going to court, and will continue to do so, facing criminal convictions, fines and imprisonment for being in possession of these illegal types of dog. 
    • Since the start of the XL Bully ban police services have increased kennel capacity by a third.  
    • It can cost up to £1,000 a month to keep dogs in kennels and with up to an 18-month lead in time so both kennel demand / expenditure moving forward will become even more acute. We are aware of court cases not being scheduled until mid-2026 for some dangerously out of control cases. 
    • The police officer/staff overtime bill for forces between February 2024 and September 2024 was circa £560K. 

    *A section 1 dog is any of the specified banned breeds in the Dangerous Dogs Act.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fleeing driver: Charges confirmed

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    A man is expected in court today, following a fleeing driver incident across much of central Auckland.

    On Tuesday, a vehicle with mismatching plates was located on the Northwestern Motorway.

    After allegedly failing to stop for Police, the matter concluded at Dress Smart shopping centre in Onehunga.

    Auckland City Road Policing Manager acting Inspector Scott Jones says the vehicle the man was driving has since been confirmed as stolen.

    “A 31-year-old Northland man is expected to appear in the Auckland District Court today,” he says.

    “He faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.”

    During the fleeing driver incident, it was established the man was also sought in relation to other active court matters, including aggravated robbery. 

    “It’s fortunate that neither the public nor Police staff suffered any injuries as a result of the man’s alleged actions yesterday afternoon,” acting Inspector Jones says.

    ENDS

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek information on Ōkaihau hit-and-run

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Northland Police is investigating the fatal hit-and-run of a cyclist in Ōkaihau last night.

    An investigation team is forming in the small Far North town to locate the person responsible.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Northland CIB, says Police were contacted by Settlers Way residents at around 10.15pm on 28 January.

    “We believe the collision between a cyclist and vehicle has occurred between 10pm and 10.15pm on that road,” he says.

    “Tragically, it has resulted in a 19-year-old dying from his injuries at the scene.”

    In the small hours of the morning, a traffic crash analyst attended and examined the scene.

    “A criminal investigation is now underway, and detectives are working to piece together who is responsible,” Detective Senior Sergeant Verry says.

    “Police will be in the Ōkaihau township as part of our investigation, seeking witnesses and further information.”

    Investigators want to hear from anyone in the area last night that has information.

    “Police will be searching for a vehicle that has obvious signs of damage.

    “A young man has lost his life, and it’s important that anyone in the community with information does the right thing and speaks up now.”

    Victim Support has been engaged for the cyclist’s family.

    “Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and with what they are going through.”

    Anyone who may have witnessed the lead up or aftermath of the incident, or who has any information, is asked to contact Police.

    Update Police online or call 105, using the reference number 250129/0360.

    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 Security: Previously Convicted Felon Who Posted Photos to Social Media of Himself with Illegal Firearms Has Federal Time Added

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON — Damian Johnson, 24, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 21 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a Glock 27 and 61 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition. Johnson was on supervised release when he posted numerous photographs of himself to Instagram with his guns that included several of himself wearing an ankle monitor while holding one of his weapons.

                The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. of the District of Columbia and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Johnson, aka “Damien Johnson,” pleaded guilty September 11, 2024, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The 21-month federal prison term will run consecutive to a 16-month sentence he received in Superior Court in October 2022 for carrying a pistol without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb also ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release.

                According to court documents, on December 26, 2023, shortly after 8 p.m., members of the MPD Robbery Suppression Unit executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home on the 300 block of Raleigh Street, SE. As officers entered the residence, an investigator observed Johnson attempting to open the apartment’s rear window. Another officer watched as Johnson tossed an object behind a bed inside a bedroom. The officers found a black Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol handgun behind the bed in plain view. During a search of the premises that followed, inside a closet, investigators discovered a drum magazine with 33 rounds of ammunition and an extended magazine with 28 rounds of ammunition.

                Prior to the search, officers had viewed Johnson’s Instagram account and had seen photos and video clips that showed eight different firearms inside Johnson’s apartment. One of the photos depicted Johnson wearing his court-ordered ankle GPS devise on his right ankle as he held one of his handguns.

                A federal Grand Jury indicted Johnson on January 17, 2024. U.S. Marshals arrested him on January 23, 2024, in Washington D.C.

                This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory Cole for the District of Columbia.

    The Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol and ammunition found in Johnson’s apartment. 

    Drum magazine loaded with 33 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition.

    Johnson (at left) and a friend display cash and four firearms – some with extended clips – in an Instagram post.

    In an Instagram post, Johnson is pictured with a firearm with an extended clip.

    In an Instagram post, Johnson and a pregnant woman are depicted holding firearms with extended clips, scopes/lights on firearms. Johnson is seen with court ordered GPS device on his right ankle.

    24cr032

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pair arrested after Panmure aggravated robbery

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police were on the money, arresting two offenders shortly after an aggravated robbery in Panmure this morning.

    Just after 9am, two offenders entered the Cash Converters store on Queens Road.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City Crime Squad, says the pair were allegedly carrying weapons at the time.

    “They allegedly took the store’s till and used those weapons to smash cabinets and take jewellery on display,” he says.

    “Both fled the store and got into the stolen vehicle they arrived in.”

    Police were quickly contacted and deployed to the area.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says the stolen vehicle was located on Swan Crescent in Pakuranga, after colliding into a gate.

    “A Police dog handler deployed in the area and tracked to an address in the nearby area.”

    Inside, Police have since located two 16-year-old males and they have been arrested.

    The store’s till has also been recovered.

    “Charges will be laid in due course as our investigation continues,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

    “I’d like to acknowledge the various Police teams that deployed to the aggravated robbery this morning, as we continue to hold offenders to account.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wheels come off yard burglary

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Two men face a slew of charges after their alleged burglary plans uncoupled on Auckland Anniversary Day.

    On Monday, frontline Police responded to a burglary in progress at an industrial area in Takanini, at around 8.54am.

    “Two men had allegedly broken into the business’ yard and were in the process of stealing a trailer and an all-terrain vehicle,” Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes says.

    “The victims had arrived on scene and had approached the two offenders.”

    After being asked about their actions, one of the men allegedly assaulted one of the victims. Fortunately, he did not sustain serious injuries.

    “Police had received a 111 call, and our staff were soon in the area,” Inspector Hoyes says.

    “A Police unit signalled for the stolen vehicle and trailer to stop; however, the offender accelerated at speed and wasn’t pursued.”

    The second offender left the area on foot.

    Meanwhile, the Police Eagle helicopter had deployed and was overhead of the vehicle as it travelled north on the motorway.

    Inspector Hoyes says the vehicle exited at Highbrook and travelled to Kilkenny Drive in East Tamaki.

    “The vehicle came to a stop and units quickly moved in and blocked in the vehicle before the driver was arrested.”

    A 56-year-old man has been charged with aggravated assault, two counts of burglary, reckless driving and failing to stop.

    He will appear in the Papakura District Court on 30 January.

    The second man, a 45-year-old, was arrested in the Takanini area. He is also facing two charges of burglary and one count of aggravated assault.

    He has since appeared in the Papakura District Court and will reappear on 20 February 2025.

    “We acknowledge the victims’ quick reporting of offending taking place at their premises so our staff could respond and it’s a great outcome that we have returned both pieces of equipment to them,” Inspector Hoyes says.

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Crash survivors’ emotional reunion with rescuers

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Hastings Fire Station was the setting for an emotional reunion last week as Mark Stockwell came face-to-face with the emergency crews who freed him after a tree crushed his car.

    Mark was driving home during a storm on Coolart Road in Tuerong last August when the freak incident occurred, trapping him in his vehicle with serious injuries.

    Emergency services arrived swiftly, but it took a challenging 90 minutes of coordinated effort from Hastings, Langwarrin and Dromana CFA members, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police to safely extricate him.

    Accompanied by his wife and son, Mark used the reunion as an opportunity to personally thank the first responders for their dedication and teamwork.

    “Words can’t express how grateful I am. Every time I’m at home, I think about all these guys, and I tear up,” Mark said.

    “I get to be a dad, and I get to be a husband because of them.

    “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for what they’ve done and what they continue to do.

    “They have families and could be at home, but instead, they’re out there rescuing people like me. It’s incredible.”

    Recalling the events of that day, Mark said: “I don’t really remember much about it. I just recall thinking, ‘I think I’ve been in an accident,’ and I was coming in and out of consciousness.

    “The guys were trying to keep me awake, but I kept drifting. I remember one moment of pain, like waking from a dream, and thinking, ‘I can’t feel my leg, my back is sore, my neck hurts.’

    “I saw the airbag and thought, ‘Why’s my airbag out? I must have been in an accident. That’s pretty much all I remember.”

    Several key personnel on scene that day also shared their perspectives on the incident and what it meant to see Mark’s recovery firsthand.

    Quotes attributable to CFA Incident Controller Georgia Densley:

    “Rescues like this one really highlight the strength of teamwork between CFA and our emergency service partners.

    “Everyone on scene played their part, including Mark, who stayed calm under immense pressure, which made our job that much easier.

    “It’s incredibly rewarding to see him here today and to witness his recovery firsthand.”

    Quotes attributable to Dutchy Holland, VICSES Hastings Unit Controller:

    “As first responders, having the chance to meet and talk with community members who we support in their time of need is an extremely rewarding experience.

    “I’m very proud of our volunteers who were able to provide timely and much-needed aid alongside other emergency service providers to effect a positive outcome in this instance.”

    Quotes attributable to MICA Paramedic Angus Bowden:

    “Being able to reconnect with a patient and see him thrive after such a serious incident is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Mark was not only trapped, but appeared to have sustained multiple traumatic injuries.

    “In this case, the combination of advanced clinical care and collaboration played a crucial role in the patient’s survival and recovery. From start to finish, it was a remarkable team effort, with paramedics, firefighters and SES working together to achieve the best possible outcome.”

    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Death following Summerleas Road Crash on 10 December

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Death following Summerleas Road Crash on 10 December

    Wednesday, 29 January 2025 – 10:31 am.

    Sadly, police can confirm a 75-year-old man died yesterday in Southern Tasmania.
    The man was involved in a crash on Summerleas Road, Fern Tree on 10 December 2024.
    Following the crash the man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition and has since passed away.
    Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of all involved.
    A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man with History of Violence Sent to Federal Prison for Possessing Sawed-Off Shotgun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man with a history of violence was sentenced today, to 10 years in federal prison.

    Conrad Lyons, age 36, from Sioux City, received the prison term after an August 26, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one count of receipt and possession of a National Firearms Destructive Device not registered to the possessor, i.e., a sawed-off shotgun. 

    Evidence in this case revealed that on March 23, 2024, at approximately 1:00 a.m., law enforcement received a report of an altercation in an apartment in Sioux City, Iowa, involving Lyons (who is a felon) and several other individuals.  Reports indicated the altercation involved a large machete-style knife, and that Lyons had a “sawed-off shotgun”.  Law enforcement responded to the apartment in Sioux City where the altercation took place.  Outside of the apartment, law enforcement encountered an individual, who confirmed there had been an altercation, and identified some of the individuals, but the individuals inside the apartment were reluctant to cooperate.

    Further, on March 23, 2024, at approximately 8:22 p.m., law enforcement observed Lyons and two other individuals, walking in Sioux City, Iowa.  As law enforcement approached, Lyons dropped a black backpack and walked into the street.  The other individual attempted to throw a machete into a storm drain.  The individuals were stopped by police. The machete was retrieved, and through the open zipper of the backpack, law enforcement observed a barrel and what appeared to be a cut-off gunstock that was covered with a sock. It was later determined Lyons was in possession of the sawed-off shotgun.

    Lyons has a history of violent offenses, failure on supervision, disciplinary violations in custody and a history of eluding, resisting and fighting with law enforcement.  Lyons criminal history includes (1) assaulting, resisting, or impeding an officer, in the United States District Court of Nebraska; (2) assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country, in the United States District Court of Nebraska; and (3) assault by striking, beating, and wounding, in the United States District Court of Nebraska.

    Lyons was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand to 120 months’ imprisonment.  He must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    Lyons is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was investigated by the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Forde Fairchild.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-4026.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marshall County Man Sentenced for Role in a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

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

    WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – KC Vanover, age 48, of Moundsville, West Virginia, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking operation.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Vanover was working with others to sell hundreds of grams of methamphetamine in Marshall County and elsewhere. The organization’s source of supply was in Georgia. Vanover has prior convictions for grand larceny and battery.

    Vanover will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    Investigative agencies include the Drug Enforcement Administration-Wheeling; the Drug Enforcement Administration-Clarksburg; the Drug Enforcement Administration-Cleveland; the Drug Enforcement Administration-Detroit; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Virginia State Police; the West Virginia State Parole; the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department; the Moundsville Police Department; the Marshall County Prosecutors Office; the Wheeling Police Department; the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Department; the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office (Ohio); the Belmont County Drug Task Force (Ohio); the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department; the Hancock-Brooke-Weirton Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the Benwood Police Department; and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (Ohio).         

    U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Washington man admits illegal possession of firearms after being removed from Amtrak train in Montana

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

    MISSOULA —A Washington man with a bank robbery conviction admitted today to illegally possessing firearms after law enforcement removed him from an Amtrak train in Libby and found him in possession of multiple guns, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Mallory Nehemiah Brown, 43, of Auburn, Washington, pleaded guilty to prohibited person in possession of a firearm. Brown faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Sentencing was set for May 29 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Brown was detained pending further proceedings.

    The government alleged in court documents that in 2004, Brown was convicted of bank robbery in federal district court in California and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On Jan. 8, 2024, Brown boarded an Amtrak train in Seattle, Washington, with a black duffel bag and several long boxes. Brown placed his bags and boxes on the luggage rack. The train was bound for Washington, D.C., with a stop in Chicago, Illinois. On Jan. 9, 2024, the train stopped in Libby based on a complaint by other passengers about Brown. Law enforcement removed Brown from the train. The train conductor located Brown’s bags. Inside, he discovered four firearms, ammunition, magazines, a suppressor, eight firearms receivers, night vision goggles, a tactical vest and other assorted accessories. The four firearms were identified as a .22LR HV rifle, which had a serial number; a 12-gauge pump shotgun with an obliterated serial number; a 12-gauge semi-auto shot gun with no visible serial number; and a 9mm semi-auto pistol with no visible serial number. Brown denied the bags belonged to him, however, several Amtrak employees identified Brown as the person who loaded the bags on the train. One of the boxes had a shipping label on it addressed to “Mallory Brown.”

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Libby Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and Montana Probation and Parole conducted the investigation.

    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: Man Admits Transporting Minor to Super Bowl, St. Louis for Prostitution

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A Missouri man pleaded guilty Tuesday and admitted transporting a minor across state lines for sex.

    JoeMarius Green, 24, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one felony count of transporting a minor across state lines to engage in prostitution. Green’s co-defendant, Chantel Robinson, 20, pleaded guilty in November to one felony count of possession of child pornography.

    Green admitted as part of his plea that he took a female minor and others from Dallas to Kansas City on Feb. 12, 2023, to engage in prostitution during the Super Bowl. After about four days, Green took the victim and others to a St. Louis area hotel for the same reason. Green admitted managing the online prostitution ads, renting hotel rooms, setting price points for sex acts and taking all cash proceeds from the victim’s commercial sex acts.

    Robinson admitted engaging in commercial sex acts, taking sexually explicit and sexually suggestive photos of minors and posting online advertisements for commercial sex acts. She oversaw the prostitution activities of minors when Green was absent.

    Green is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25. The charge carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. Robinson is scheduled to be sentenced April 8. Her charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

    The St. Louis County Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dianna Edwards is prosecuting the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Apprehends 2 Suspects Connected to Deadly Shooting in Austin

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Austin, TX – Members of the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force today arrested a juvenile* who is one of two suspects sought for a Jan. 24 murder in Austin. 

    Another suspect, Bill Tarlue Nyanway, 18, of Austin, was arrested Jan. 27 and charged with tampering with physical evidence that stemmed from the shooting incident. 

    The Austin Police Department, Homicide Division investigated the shooting incident in the 10200 block of Wildhorse Ranch Trail and obtained arrest warrants in the Austin Municipal Court Jan. 27 for the two individuals believed to be connected to the deadly shooting incident. 

    When Austin Police, Fire and Travis County Emergency Medical Services responded to the location, they discovered a white sedan which had been reported crashed in a ditch near Manor Excel Academy, and a victim had been shot. They attempted life-saving measures on the victim, who was ultimately pronounced deceased on scene. 

    The Austin Police Department requested assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the Austin Division to locate and apprehend both suspects.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force initiated a fugitive investigation and arrested Nyanway in the 9400 block of North Lamar Blvd without incident, booking him into the Travis County Jail where he will await further judicial proceedings. 

    The juvenile was arrested without incident in the 14500 block of Heartland Drive in Manor and was transported to the Austin Police Headquarters.

    Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin – 

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

    *USMS policy generally prohibits naming juvenile suspects.

    MIL Security OSI –