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Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI Security: Career Offender from Fort Dodge Sentenced to Federal Prison for 16 Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man who possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it was sentenced on January 23, 2025, in federal court in Sioux City.

    Jordan Taylor, 35, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty on April 11, 2024, to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of pure methamphetamine.  Taylor had been convicted of two prior drug trafficking offenses which made him a career offender.  

    Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that on multiple occasions in August 2023, Taylor distributed methamphetamine to an individual working with law enforcement.  In September 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a hotel in Fort Dodge where Taylor was staying.  During the execution of the search warrant on the room, law enforcement found Taylor in the bathroom attempting to flush methamphetamine down the toilet.  In the room, law enforcement seized about one pound of pure methamphetamine, along with psilocin mushrooms, pharmaceutical tablets, over $1,100 in cash, and drug distribution paraphernalia.  Further investigation showed Taylor was responsible for the possession and distribution of approximately three pounds of methamphetamine.        

    Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Taylor was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment and must serve a five-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Taylor remains in U.S. Marshals custody until he can be transported to a federal prison. 

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and the Fort Dodge Police Department.  

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

    The case file number is 23-3041.  

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Police update on Storm Éoywn

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    The Police Service of Northern Ireland urge the public not to travel and stay indoors during Storm Éoywn.

    Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said: “We are now in the red weather warning phase of Storm Éoywn, which will last until 2pm this afternoon. This means there is a significant risk to life and the public should not travel during this time and stay at home.

    “There is currently severe disruption to the road network and overnight we received 70 reports of trees down and other debris on the roads. We expect this number to increase over the course of the day.

    “This is being treated as a major incident and we will continue to work with our partner agencies to assist with this operation, both throughout and after Éowyn passes. I have met with the Strategic Coordination Group and continue to keep the First Minister and deputy First Minister updated.

    “We have additional officers stood up today and will be ready to respond to calls where required. Members of the public should only contact 999 in an emergency.

    “We anticipate serious disruption across our road network, public transport,  health services and other public services. I continue to urge people be prepared and ensure you have emergency lighting such as torches easily accessible in the event of power cuts. Have ready access to additional blankets or sources of warmth in the event your heating supply is disrupted.

    “Our message is clear; do not travel, remain indoors and stay safe.”

    Details of road closures are available on the Traffic Watch NI website: https://orlo.uk/ySHmg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic arrangements during Lunar New Year

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    　　Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate the public to celebrate the festive season.

    Hong Kong Island
    —————-

         The following arrangements will be implemented by phases on January 28, until the roads are safe for re-opening:

    A.    Road closure

         The following roads will be closed:

    From 4pm to 7am of the following day:

    – Sugar Street; and
    – Northbound Gloucester Road between Causeway Road and Great George Street.

    From 7.30pm to 7am of the following day:

    – Great George Street between Paterson Street and Gloucester Road;
    – Kingston Street;
    – Paterson Street; and
    – Cleveland Street.

         Depending on traffic and crowd conditions, the road closure area may be extended from 8pm to the following roads:

    – Southbound Gloucester Road between Cleveland Street and Causeway Road;
    – Northbound Gloucester Road between Gloucester Road Flyover and Victoria Park Road;
    – Hing Fat Street between Causeway Road and Lau Li Street, except for franchised buses and green minibuses (GMB);
    – Electric Road between Yacht Street and Hing Fat Street;
    – Eastbound Hennessy Road between Percival Street and Yee Wo Street, eastbound Yee Wo Street between Hennessy Road and Causeway Road, eastbound Causeway Road between Yee Wo Street and Tung Lo Wan Road, and westbound Causeway Road between Tung Lo Wan Road and Moreton Terrace, except for franchised buses, GMB and trams.

    B.    Pedestrian precincts

         The following road sections will be designated as pedestrian precinct from noon on January 28 to 7am of the following day:

    – Lockhart Road between Cannon Street and East Point Road;
    – East Point Road; and
    – Great George Street between East Point Road and Paterson Street.

    C.    Prohibition to learner drivers
     
         Learner drivers cannot use the following roads from 4pm on January 28 to 8am of the following day:

    – Leighton Road;
    – Tin Lok Lane;
    – Caroline Hill Road;
    – Eastern Hospital Road;
    – Tai Hang Road north of Lai Tak Tsuen Road;
    – Tung Lo Wan Road;
    – Electric Road south of Gordon Road;
    – Morrison Hill Road north of Queen’s Road East;
    – Hennessy Road;
    – Yee Wo Street;
    – Causeway Road;
    – King’s Road;
    – Gloucester Road Service Road;
    – Hing Fat Street;
    – Westbound Tin Hau Temple Road west of Cloud View Road; and
    – Eastbound Wan Chai Road.

    D.    Suspension of parking spaces and car parks

    – All on-street parking spaces on Lau Li Street between Hing Fat Street and Ngan Mok Street and disabled parking spaces on northbound Gloucester Road near Sugar Street will be suspended from 8am on January 28 to 7am of the following day;
    – All on-street parking spaces on Tung Lo Wan Road will be suspended from 8pm on January 28 to 7am of the following day; and
    – All parking spaces at Hing Fat Street Public Car Park will be suspended from 8am on January 28 to 7am of the following day.

         All car parks within the above closed road areas will be suspended and vehicles will not be allowed to enter or exit the car parks, until the roads are safe for re-opening.

    E.    Suspension of public transport interchange

         Tin Hau Station Public Transport Interchange will be suspended from 6pm on January 28.

    Kowloon
    ——–

    (1)    Wong Tai Sin Temple

         The following arrangements will be implemented from 6pm on January 28 to 7pm on January 29, from 7am to 7pm daily from January 30 to February 3, and from February 8 to February 9 to facilitate traffic and crowd control at Wong Tai Sin Temple during Lunar New Year:

    A.    Road closure

         The following roads will be closed:

    – Shatin Pass Road between Lung Cheung Road and Fung Tak Road, except for GMBs and designated vehicles; and
    – The unnamed road connecting Wong Tai Sin Temple and Wong Tai Sin Road, except for designated vehicles.

    B.    Traffic control

         All vehicles will be prohibited from parking or waiting at Wong Tai Sin Road (both directions) between Shatin Pass Road and Nga Chuk Street.

    (2)    Cheung Sha Wan

         All metered parking spaces in Hang Cheung Street will be suspended from 8am on January 26 to 7am on January 29.

         All vehicles will be prohibited from parking or waiting on Fortune Street, Hang Cheung Street and Fat Tseung Street from 10am on January 26 to 7am on January 29, except for picking up/setting off passengers and loading/unloading goods.

    (3)    Sham Shui Po Kwan Tai Temple

         Depending on traffic and crowd conditions, the following arrangements will be implemented from 11am to noon on January 30:

    A.    Road closure

         The following roads will be intermittently closed:

    – Wong Chuk Street between Yu Chau Street and Cheung Sha Wan Road;
    – Apliu Street between Nam Cheong Street and Wong Chuk Street;
    – Southbound Nam Cheong Street between Cheung Sha Wan Road and Hai Tan Street;
    – Hai Tan Street between Nam Cheong Street and Boundary Street;
    – Yee Kuk Street between Boundary Street and Shek Kip Mei Street; and
    – Shek Kip Mei Street between Yee Kuk Street and Apliu Street.

    B.    Traffic diversions

         Vehicles heading for southbound Nam Cheong Street and southbound Shek Kip Mei Street will be diverted via southbound Yen Chow Street and eastbound Lai Chi Kok Road.

    (4)    Mong Kok Fa Hui Park

    A.    Road closure

         The third lane of southbound Tai Hang Tung Road between Tat Chee Avenue and Boundary Street will be closed from 9am on January 23 to 8am on January 29.

    B.    Suspension of parking spaces

         The following parking spaces will be suspended from 8am on January 26 to 8am on January 29:

    – Metered parking spaces on Tong Yam Street (meter no. 9607 and 9608);
    – All metered and motorcycle parking spaces on Duke Street between Embankment Road and Knight Street;
    – All motorcycle parking spaces on Knight Street near its junction with Duke Street;
    – Metered parking space on Belfran Road (meter no. 13413); and
    – All metered parking spaces on Lincoln Road between Cumberland Road and Waterloo Road.

    (5)    Kwun Tong Recreation Ground

    A.    Road closure

         Kai Lim Road will be closed from 8pm on January 26 to 2am of the following day, from 3pm on January 27 to 2am of the following day, and from 3pm on January 28 to 4am of the following day.

         Fuk Ning Road and Fuk Tong Road will be closed from 3pm on January 27 to 2am of the following day, and from 3pm on January 28 to 4am of the following day.

    B.    Suspension of parking spaces

         The metered parking spaces, motorcycle parking spaces and disabled parking space on Kai Lim Road will be suspended from 8am on January 26 to 4am on January 29.

    (6)    Kwun Tong Hoi Bun Road

         The following parking spaces will be suspended from noon on January 30 to 1am of the following day:

    – All metered parking spaces on Hoi Bun Road;
    – Two disabled parking spaces on eastbound Hoi Bun Road near Hoi Bun Road Park; and
    – Ten motorcycle parking spaces on westbound Hoi Bun Road near Kwun Tong Promenade.

    New Territories
    —————

    (1)    Tsuen Wan

    A.    Road closure

         The following roads will be closed daily from 3pm to 5am of the following day on January 27 and January 28:

    – Kai Hong Close;
    – Kai Chi Close;
    – Hoi Pa Street between its junction with Lo Tak Court and Tai Ho Road.

    B.    Suspension of parking spaces

         The motorcycle parking spaces at Kai Hong Close will be suspended daily from 3pm to 5am of the following day on January 27 and January 28.

    (2)    Sheung Shui

    A.    Pedestrian precincts

        The following road sections will be designated as pedestrian precincts from 11am to 7pm daily on January 27 and January 28, during which all vehicles will be prohibited, except for vehicles with permit:

    – San Kung Street; and
    – San Hong Street between Tsun Fu Street and Fu Hing Street.

    B.    Road closure

        To facilitate the Lunar New Year Fair at Shek Wu Hui in Sheung Shui, the following roads will be closed from 6pm on January 28 to 4am of the following day, except for vehicles with permit:

    – San Lok Street, except for access to Pearl Vista;
    – San Tsoi Street; and
    – Fu Hing Street between San Hong Street and San Tsoi Street.

    C.    Suspension of parking spaces

    – The metered parking spaces (meter no. 25343A/B, 25342 A/B, 25341A and 25344B) at San Hong Street will be suspended from 11am to 7pm daily on January 27 and January 28; and
    – The motorcycle parking spaces on San Lok Street will be suspended from 6pm on January 28 to 4am of the following day.

    (3)    Tuen Mun

    A.    Road closure

         The following roads will be intermittently closed from 6pm to 2am of the following day on January 27, and 6pm to 7am of the following day on January 28, except for vehicles with permit:

    – Tin Hau Road;
    – San Hop Lane;
    – Hung Cheung Road from its junction with Tin Hau Road to its southern junction with San Ping Circuit;
    – Southbound Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junction with San Ping Circuit;
    – San On Street from its southern junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 50 metres north of the same junction; and
    – Hing Wong Street from its junction with Hung Cheung Road to a point about 50 metres north of the same junction.

    B.    Cycle track closure

         The cycle track along the western riverside of Tuen Mun River Channel between Pui To Road and Yau Oi Bridge will be closed from 6pm to 2am of the following day on January 27, and 6pm to 7am of the following day on January 28.

    C.    Traffic diversions

         The following traffic diversions will be intermittently implemented from 6pm to 2am of the following day on January 27, and 6pm to 7am of the following day on January 28, except for vehicles with permit:

    – Traffic along Yip Wong Road cannot turn to northbound Tin Hau Road;
    – Traffic along southbound Tin Hau Road cannot turn to Hung Cheung Road; and
    – Hung Cheung Road between its northern and southern junction with San Ping Circuit will be re-routed one-way northbound.

    D.    Suspension of parking spaces

         The overnight on-street parking spaces on the following roads will be suspended from 6pm to 2am of the following day on January 27, and 6pm to 7am of the
    following day on January 28, except for vehicles with permit:

    – Tin Hau Road; and
    – Hung Cheung Road from its junction with Tin Hau Road to its southern junction with San Ping Circuit.

    (4) Kwai Tsing

         The metered parking spaces and disabled parking spaces on Ko Fong Street will be suspended from 2pm on January 28 to 8am on January 29.

    (5)    Tai Po

         The cycle track on Ting Kok Road between Ting Tai Road and On Chee Road will be closed from 6pm on January 28 to 6am on January 29.

    (6)    Sha Tin

         The following traffic diversions will be implemented daily from 5pm to 1am of the following day on January 27 and January 28, except for vehicles with permit:

    – Fung Shun Street between Wo Che Street and Tak Hau Street will be re-routed one-way northbound. Vehicles will be diverted via eastbound Tak Hau Street, southbound Yuen Wo Road and westbound Wo Che Street; and
    – Traffic along Tak Hau Street cannot go straight to Sha Tin Sports Ground Car Park.

    (7) Tseung Kwan O

         The parking spaces on Wan Lung Road will be suspended from 7am on January 28 to 7am on January 29.

         A temporary vehicle pick-up and drop-off point will be set up at Hok Lam Lane from 7am on January 28 to 7am on January 29.

         Police will continue to enforce traffic regulations during the Lunar New Year period. All vehicles parked illegally during the implementation of the above special traffic arrangements will be towed away without prior warning, and may be subject to multiple ticketing.  

         Police will implement the above arrangements depending on the traffic and crowd conditions in the areas. Members of the public are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and take heed of instructions of the Police on site.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photos)
    15 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations (with photos)
    ************************************************************************

         The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight”, joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion” and “Windsand”, and joint operations with the Labour Department to combat illegal employment activities at Lunar New Year fairs for four consecutive days from January 20 to yesterday (January 24). A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, four suspected employers and one suspected aider and abettor were arrested.           During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided eight targeted locations including residential buildings, restaurants and retail shops. Four suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and three women, aged 39 to 52. Among them, one woman was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment. One man and one woman, aged 53 and 59, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers, were also arrested.           During operation “Champion”, enforcement officers raided 15 target locations in Central district. Four suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four women, aged 36 to 42. One man, aged 54, was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.           Furthermore, during the anti-illegal worker operations at various Lunar New Year fairs, enforcement officers raided several stalls at  events. Two suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one suspected aider and abettor were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised two women, aged 30 and 34. One woman, aged 37, was suspected of employing the illegal workers. One woman, aged 35, who was suspected of aiding and abetting a person who breached the condition of stay in Hong Kong was also arrested. Apart from mounting enforcement operations, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers” leaflets and convey the message to stall owners.       An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”           The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment.”           The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.           According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.           Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 19:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Three deposit auctions of UK FRT LLC will take place on 24.01.2025

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://www.moex.com/n77105

    Categoris24-7, Miles, Moscow, Moscow Stotsk Exchang, Russians Savings, Russian Federation, Russians Language, Russian economy

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    Archives Police Privces Proudly would trust WordPress

    Date of the deposit auction 01/24/2025
    Placement currency Rub
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 2,547,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 32
    Date of deposit 01/24/2025
    Refund date 02/25/2025
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 21.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 2,547,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Treaty General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 12:00 to 12:10
    Applications in competition mode from 12:10 to 12:15
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 12:25
       
    Additional terms  

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Identity fraud: BaFin warns consumers about the company Strategic Assets

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) warns consumers about the company Strategic Assets and the services it is offering. BaFin suspects the unknown operators of the website strategicassets.pro of offering consumers financial, investment and cryptoasset services without the required authorisation.

    The unknown operators are contacting consumers, claiming that their offer is from Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse GmbH or Börse Stuttgart GmbH. In addition, when advertising its services, the company claims to be supervised by BaFin. However, none of this information is correct. This is a case of identity fraud. Moreover, BaFin does not supervise Strategic Assets.

    BaFin is issuing this information on the basis of section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG) and section 10 (7) of the German Cryptomarkets Supervision Act (Kryptomaerkteaufsichtsgesetz).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Two more men in connection with murder and wounding case in Yuen Long arrested

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Two more men in connection with murder and wounding case in Yuen Long arrested
    Two more men in connection with murder and wounding case in Yuen Long arrested
    ******************************************************************************

         In connection with a murder and wounding case happened in Yuen Long on January 22, Police arrested two more men, aged 23 and 26, in Tin Shui Wai for murder and wounding yesterday (January 23).     In the murder and wounding case, a 24-year-old man died and a 28-year-old man was injured.     Concerning the aforementioned case, Police arrested another four men, aged 19 to 29, in Tuen Mun and at the Hong Kong International Airport for murder and wounding earlier.     Among the six arrested persons, Police laid holding charges against a 19-year-old man and a 27-year-old man each with one count of murder and one count of wounding. The 27-year-old man was also charged with one count of illegal possession of Part 1 poison. The case will be mentioned at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (January 25). The remaining four arrested persons are being detained for further enquiries.     Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North is under way. Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 3356.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 19:37

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Supermarket closed for persistent sale of illegal tobacco

    Source: City of Coventry

    A Coventry store has been ordered to close its doors for three months.

    A Coventry store has been ordered to close its doors for three months, after a Council investigation discovered Saad Supermarket (which previously traded as Victoria Mini Market) on Primrose Hill Street, Coventry, persistently sold illegal tobacco and vaping products, as well as selling these items to persons under 18.

    Costs of £4,974.26 were awarded to the Council, to be equally split between both the operator of the business and the landlord of the premises.

    The Council’s Trading Standards and Legal teams applied to Coventry Magistrates Court for a Closure Order, which was granted on Wednesday 15 January 2025 under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

    The store has been ordered to close completely for three months and no-one is allowed to access or remain on the premises.

    The Closure Order will remain in force until midnight on Tuesday 15 April 2025.

    Those found to breach the Order may be imprisoned, fined or both.

    The Court heard that despite warnings, there were continued sales of illicit products from the shop, as well as the sale of such to minors. Due to its proximity to a local school, this was a clear risk to the safety of the community and robust enforcement action was required.

    Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Council Leader, said: “Our trading standards and legal teams once again have taken the necessary action against businesses who ignore the law”.

    “It’s important that we publicise this work because it will not be tolerated both by the Council or the police. In this case there was an added concern about the school being so close”.

    “It’s a warning to any other businesses and I’d encourage any residents, who have similar concerns about local shops they suspect may be selling illegal vapes and tobacco and also selling to people under age, to contact us.”  

    The sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products has a detrimental effect on legitimate local businesses and also contributes to anti-social behaviour in the community.

    It can also support organised crime, which may also be linked to modern-day slavery, human trafficking, and other serious criminality. Illegal tobacco and vaping products also present a serious public health issue with very high levels of tar, nicotine and other toxic chemicals. The lower prices at which these items can be sold also encourage children to start smoking or vaping.

    Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 46 million illegal cigarettes, 12,600kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, Operation CeCe – the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”

    Coventry Trading Standards will use all available powers to protect the local community and legitimate businesses.

    We need information from the public to help us with issues like this. Information we receive about where and when this type of activity is happening will help us build an intelligence picture and enable us to act where necessary.

    If you are concerned about similar activity happening where you live, you can send us an anonymous report – please search ‘Coventry Trading Standards’ and use the online reporting form, or find the anonymous form on the Council’s website.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met officer charged with sexually assaulting three men and a woman

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A serving Met officer has been charged with committing sexual offences against three men and a woman. He was suspended from duty in December 2022.

    Police Sergeant Lee Symons, attached to the West Area Command Unit, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 27 January.

    PS Symons was charged on 23 December 2024, with assault by penetration and five counts of sexual assault (by touching). These offences are alleged to have taken place on dates between 2012 and 2018 against the same man.

    PS Symons was also charged on 23 December with five further counts of sexual assault by touching on dates between 2009 and 2021. Three of these counts relate to alleged offences against a man, the remaining two counts relate to alleged offences against another man and a woman.

    All of the offences are alleged to have taken place against people known to him.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Chinese New Year festive period

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Chinese New Year festive period
    Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements releases latest information on cross-boundary passenger traffic estimation and arrangements for Chinese New Year festive period
    ******************************************************************************************

         The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, released the following information today (January 24) on the estimated visitor flow and arrangements for the upcoming Chinese New Year festive period.           During the upcoming Chinese New Year festive period (from January 28 to February 4), the Immigration Department (ImmD), in consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection and other Mainland authorities, estimates that around 7.34 million passengers (including Hong Kong residents and visitors) will pass through land boundary control points. The ImmD estimates that the passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point will be heavy, with a daily average forecast of about 205 000, 190 000 and 146 000 passengers respectively.           To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the ImmD has minimised leave for frontline officers for flexible deployment, and operation of extra clearance counters and kiosks. Additional security guards will also be deployed to provide crowd management support.           Furthermore, the ImmD, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the MTR Corporation Limited will set up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point to make necessary arrangements. The ImmD will also establish close communication with Mainland authorities, including the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. To ensure a smooth passenger traffic flow, passenger conditions will be closely monitored and appropriate traffic diversion plans will be adopted when necessary.           To avoid congestion and a longer than usual waiting time for immigration clearance, the ImmD advises all land boundary passengers to plan in advance, avoid making their journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at boundary control points are available on the website of the ImmD at http://www.immd.gov.hk. Furthermore, passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land boundary control point at any time or place via the Immigration Mobile Application (ImmD Mobile App). They can then plan their trips effectively and save time queuing at control points. The ImmD Mobile App can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store (supports iOS version 12.0 or above), Google Play (supports Android version 8.0 or above), Huawei AppGallery (supports Android version 8.0 or above) and the APK file available on the ImmD website. Passengers can download the ImmD Mobile App by scanning the QR code (see Annex) or via the ImmD website, http://www.immd.gov.hk. In addition, information on public transport services to and from various control points is available on the Transport Department website at http://www.td.gov.hk.           For travellers making journeys to the Mainland, the ImmD reminds them to carry their proof of identity and valid travel documents for crossing the boundary. Hong Kong residents should also check the validity of their Home Visit Permits. Non-permanent residents must carry their valid smart identity card as well as their Document of Identity for Visa Purposes or valid travel document.           Holders of the acknowledgement receipt issued due to reported loss or replacement of their Hong Kong identity cards, or children under 11 years old who hold Hong Kong identity cards, should carry a valid travel document or Re-entry Permit.           About 700 e-Channels have been installed at various control points. The Contactless e-Channel service is available at all control points now. All eligible Hong Kong residents, after enrolment, can generate an encrypted QR code through the Contactless e-Channel mobile application to enter the e-Channel, and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.           In addition, all control points have introduced self-service departures for visitors to Hong Kong (Smart Departure) which provides greater travel convenience for visitors. The service employs facial recognition technology for identity verification, which allows eligible visitors holding electronic travel documents to perform self-service departure clearance through Smart Departure e-Channels without prior enrolment.           Hong Kong residents who require assistance while travelling outside Hong Kong may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the ImmD at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD Mobile App, send a message to 1868 WhatsApp assistance hotline or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit the Online Assistance Request Form,           The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements is tasked with holistically co-ordinating and steering the preparatory work of various government departments for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year holidays, as well as strengthening information dissemination to enable the public and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.

     
    Ends/Friday, January 24, 2025Issued at HKT 20:18

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Proud and safe – a new action plan for equal rights and opportunities for LGBTIQ people

    Source: Government of Sweden

    The Government is announcing a new action plan for an inclusive and equal society. The action plan aims to further strengthen efforts to support rights and opportunities for LGBTIQ people by consolidating, supplementing and mobilising these efforts.

    “LGBTIQ people must be able to live lives in which their rights and identities are fully respected. Although progress has been made, sadly we see that challenges such as discrimination, threats, hatred and violence remain. These are things we will never accept,” says Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life Paulina Brandberg.

    ”All LGBTIQ people have the right to safety and security. It is especially important that we ensure that young LGBTIQ people have the right to a safe and secure upbringing, free from discrimination, violence and other violations. This action plan is an extraordinarily important tool in our continued efforts to gaurantee equal rights and opportunities for all,” says Minsiter for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

    “The Government is continuing its long-term, systematic and strategic work for LGBTIQ rights and freedoms. With the new action plan, we are taking the next steps in our efforts to ensure that everyone can be who they are and love who they want,” says Minister for Public Administration Erik Slottner.

    The new action plan complements the existing strategy for equal rights and opportunities regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and the efforts will be stepped up with concrete measures until 2027 . 

    Eight focus areas and new strategic agencies

    The following focus areas are considered to be of continued vital importance in efforts to support rights and opportunities for LGBTIQ people: violence, discrimination and other violations; health, health care and social services; working life; young LGBTIQ people; older LGBTIQ people; private and family life; civil society; and cultural life.  

    The new action plan includes goals for each focus area based on various policy areas. To ensure a consolidated, structured and long-term approach to measures within the focus areas, a number of government agencies have been designated as strategic LGBTIQ agencies. These are the Ombudsman for Children in Sweden, the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the Forum for Living History, the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, the Swedish Migration Agency, the Family Law and Parenthood Support Authority, the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society, the Swedish Police Authority, the National Board of Health and Welfare, the Swedish Arts Council, and the Swedish National Agency for Education. 

    The Government has also designated the Swedish Work Environment Authority and the Swedish Agency for Work Environment Expertise as strategic agencies for the working life focus area, which had previously lacked strategic agencies. 

    The Government will also task the Swedish Defence Research Agency with surveying the prevalence of LGBTIQ hostility in digital environments and spreading knowledge compiled within the framework of the assignment. 

    The Public Health Agency of Sweden will be given an expanded assignment to coordinate, support and follow up the work of the LGBTIQ strategic agencies.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Seizure of Sally Mann’s photographs in Texas revives old debates about obscenity and freedom of expression

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amy Werbel, Professor of the History of Art, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

    Photographer Sally Mann poses with her dog in 2004. Michael Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    Four photographs by celebrated artist Sally Mann were recently removed from the walls of an exhibition at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth at the behest of local Republican officials, who claimed they constituted child pornography. The Fort Worth Police Department is now investigating the allegation.

    Those photographs – taken more than 30 years ago – feature Mann’s children posing in the nude on the family’s isolated farm in rural Virginia. They were included in an exhibition titled “Diaries of Home,” which also featured images by renowned photographers LaToya Ruby Frazier, Nan Goldin and Catherine Opie, among others.

    One of the seized photographs depicts her son’s naked torso dripping with a melted popsicle, suggesting the innocence and messiness of childhood. In another, Mann’s naked daughter tiptoes across a tabletop, evoking both her strength and vulnerability.

    For decades, these works have elicited admiration and, yes, condemnation.

    I’m an art historian, and my most recent book documents the rise of art censorship following passage of the nation’s first federal anti-obscenity law in 1873, which became known as the Comstock Act after its chief lobbyist, the Christian evangelical activist Anthony Comstock.

    Today, the Comstock Act is in the news mostly because it prohibits abortion medication, which was considered a form of obscenity alongside erotic images, sculptures and sex toys. But in the law’s early years, it was used to confiscate vast quantities of art and literature deemed lewd, obscene or erotic. Though this form of censorship has since been deemed unconstitutional by various U.S. Supreme Court decisions, debates over what constitutes obscenity, child pornography and artistic expression persist.

    To me, the events surrounding the removal of Mann’s photographs echo those of a censorious past.

    Evangelical underpinnings

    Throughout Comstock’s career, evangelical Christians served as the most fervent supporters of his work; they were behind the creation of the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice, which funded his investigations.

    Anthony Comstock.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    Comstock’s censorship campaigns varied. Sometimes he went after nude drawings, paintings and sculptures. But even relatively tame photographs of actresses wearing tights attracted his ire.

    In Fort Worth, objections originated from local Christian activists and organizations. Chief among them was the Danbury Institute, which penned an open letter to the Fort Worth museum, accusing Mann’s photographs of “normalizing pedophilia” and the exhibition more generally of “promoting “the breakdown of the God-ordained definition of family” through its depiction of LGBTQ parents. In its mission statement, the institute declares that “Scripture is authoritative, inerrant, infallible, and sufficient.”

    Comstock similarly believed that “God’s Law” ought to be the guiding standard for American jurisprudence. To justify seizing and destroying an enormous array of images and objects during his 43-year career, Comstock often claimed to be battling Satan.

    His efforts were broadly popular when it came to the sexually explicit images that tended to circulate in bars and saloons. But he eventually ran afoul of Americans’ more liberal and pluralistic attitudes when he targeted art and popular culture.

    Courts expand freedom of expression

    Over the course of the 20th century, the Comstock Act lost most of its teeth.

    Judges and juries increasingly upheld civil liberties claims in cases concerning freedom of expression, vastly expanding the scope of the First Amendment.

    In 1973, the Supreme Court established the current three-part “test” for obscenity. The final prong of that test dictates that a work is not obscene if it has “serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.”

    In my view, there’s no credible claim that Mann’s long-celebrated photographs do not have serious artistic value.

    Following the removal of Mann’s photographs, arts advocates were quick to point out that the seized images are featured on prominent museum websites around the country. The National Coalition against Censorship and Artists at Risk organization issued strong statements in support of the exhibition of Mann’s photographs.

    Sally Mann’s ‘Holding the Weasel’ on display at a Sotheby’s press preview in 2008.
    Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

    The Fort Worth sheriff’s office, which is holding the images, is reportedly evaluating whether they violate Texas’ child pornography statute. But because Mann’s photographs do not depict any sexual acts, the only phrase in this state law that could be deemed relevant is “lewd exhibition,” with “lewd” defined as an intent to stimulate sexual desire.

    Here, context is key. As one critic of the removal of Mann’s works pointed out, “Most everyone reading this can easily make a distinction between going to a museum and opening Pornhub.”

    By selectively removing a few of Mann’s photographs from the exhibition and suggesting they may be child pornography, Texas officials stripped them of their context as works of art. In doing so, they introduced the photographs to an audience that would never have seen them in an art museum but that now may search for them online with prurient intent.

    Once again, I can’t help but see a connection to Comstock’s crusades. His efforts backfired, to a degree, in that the targets of his ire, from student drawings of nude models to birth control literature, ended up getting more publicity than they otherwise would have.

    Curators also play a role

    Despite legal protections, curators are still sensitive to how works of art may offend viewers and have developed a set of practices to accommodate these sensitivities.

    Three years ago, I interviewed curators and directors in academic art museums and galleries across the country as a fellow at the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

    My research focused on how museum professionals deal with the exhibition of potentially controversial artwork. They spoke to me about a variety of best practices. For example, prominently displayed content warnings allow viewers to choose to opt in or avoid the exhibition altogether. Thoughtful placement of the works and supplemental commentary add more context and provoke thought and discussion.

    Fort Worth’s Modern Art Museum, where Mann’s photographs were displayed.
    Michael Barera, CC BY-SA

    The curators of “Diaries of Home” clearly followed these best practices.

    They stated the objective of their exhibition: to “examine conceptions of home in all their complexity,” and to feature the perspectives of women, LGBTQ and nonbinary artists and subjects. A content warning was visible to audiences before they entered the gallery: “This exhibition features mature themes that may be sensitive for some viewers.” Museum staff provided wall labels, tours and artist discussions.

    These contributions situate the exhibited artworks within a broader conversation about families in America today, which are diverse in makeup, in definition and in lifestyle.

    In other words, they show how these are serious, thoughtful works of art.

    Although I can’t imagine any sort of successful criminal prosecution will take place, I do think damage has been done. This may have been a goal from the start.

    Threatening legal action undoubtedly has a chilling effect. The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth must grapple with a potential loss of donors. It takes time, money and effort to respond to official and public critics.

    In Comstock’s era, civil liberties activists, artists and arts organizations rose to the challenge of defending their freedom of speech.

    Those who value artistic expression today will have to follow in their footsteps.

    Amy Werbel receives funding from the State University of New York and the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement.

    – ref. Seizure of Sally Mann’s photographs in Texas revives old debates about obscenity and freedom of expression – https://theconversation.com/seizure-of-sally-manns-photographs-in-texas-revives-old-debates-about-obscenity-and-freedom-of-expression-247321

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Second man charged with murder in Tottenham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A second man has been charged with murder following a fatal stabbing in Tottenham last year.

    Okechukwu Iweha, 46, died after being stabbed in Worcester Avenue, N17 on 7 April 2024. His family have been updated with this development.

    Devon Brown – 29 (19.02.95) of no fixed abode was arrested on suspicion of murder, manslaughter, possession of a knife/pointed blade and perverting the course of justice after arriving at Heathrow Airport on Friday, 24 January following his extradition from the United States.

    He will appear in custody at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 25 January.

    Previously, Leandro Kaienga – 28 (11.04.96) of no fixed abode was charged with murder and possession of a bladed article (knife). He is remanded in custody ahead of a trial at Wood Green Crown Court which is currently scheduled to commence on 24 February.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to ‘Swatting’ Scheme That Took Over Ring Doorbell Cameras to Livestream Police Response

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

    LOS ANGELES – A Wisconsin man pleaded guilty today to participating in a one-week nationwide “swatting” spree that gained access to Ring home security door cameras, placed bogus emergency phone calls designed to elicit an armed police response, then livestreamed the events on social media, sometimes while taunting responding police officers in communities such as West Covina and Oxnard.

    Kya Christian Nelson, 23, of Racine, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and two counts of unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information.

    Nelson, who is doing time in a Kentucky state prison after being convicted in an unrelated case, has been in federal custody since August 2024.

    “Swatting puts innocent lives in danger,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that individuals who engage in this dangerous conduct will be held accountable through federal prosecutions.”

    “The defendant’s malicious actions traumatized his victims and put their lives – and the lives of responding officers – at risk,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “Swatting hoaxes drain crucial law enforcement resources at the expense of taxpayers and diverts police officers from responding to actual crisis situations. This case is a good reminder for security doorbell users that it’s important to practice strict cyber hygiene by using difficult passwords and by employing two-factor authentication.”

    According to his plea agreement, from November 7, 2020, to November 13, 2020, Nelson and co-conspirators gained access to home security door cameras sold by Ring LLC, a Santa Monica-based home security technology company. Nelson acquired without authorization the username and password information for Yahoo! email accounts belonging to victims throughout the United States.

    The conspirators then determined whether the owner of each compromised Yahoo! account also had a Ring account using the same email address and password that could control associated internet-connected Ring doorbell camera devices. Using that information, they identified and gathered additional information about their victims.

    Then, the conspirators placed false emergency reports or telephone calls to local law enforcement in the areas where the victims lived. These reports or calls were intended to elicit an emergency police response to the victim’s residence. The conspirators then accessed without authorization the victims’ Ring devices and transmitted the audio and video from those devices on social media during the police response. They also taunted responding police officers and victims through the Ring devices during several of the incidents.

    For example, on November 8, 2020, Nelson and a co-conspirator accessed without authorization Yahoo! and Ring accounts belonging to a victim in West Covina. A hoax telephone call was placed to the West Covina Police Department purporting to originate from the victim’s residence and posing as a minor child reporting her parents drinking and shooting guns inside the residence. The caller claimed that her parents had multiple firearms and had fired approximately seven gunshots inside the house. Based on this hoax call, West Covina Police Department officers made an emergency response to the house and cleared the residents from the home at gunpoint.

    During the police response, Nelson accessed the Ring doorbell camera located at the West Covina residence and used it to verbally threaten and taunt the police officers who responded to the reported incident.

    In another incident, on November 11, 2020, Nelson illegally possessed the Yahoo! and Ring login credentials of a victim living in Oxnard. Nelson then used those credentials to access the victim’s Ring account. Nelson or a co-conspirator made a hoax call to the Oxnard Police Department purporting to be coming from inside the victim’s home.

    The caller told the police that they were a child whose father was wielding a handgun inside the residence. Nelson made a second hoax call to Oxnard Police to report hearing shots fired at the victim’s residence. Based on these hoax calls, Oxnard Police officers made an emergency response to the house and cleared the residents from the home at gunpoint.

    Nelson accessed the Ring doorbell camera located at the Oxnard residence and used it to threaten and taunt the police officers who had responded to the reported incident.

    United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt scheduled a May 1 sentencing hearing, at which time Nelson will face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for each count.

    One of Nelson’s indicted co-conspirators, James Thomas Andrew McCarty, 22, of Kayenta, Arizona, was sentenced in June 2024 to seven years in federal prison both for his role in this case, and on additional charges in the District of Arizona. In connection with the Ring swatting incidents, McCarty pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy as Nelson.

    McCarty further admitted to illegally accessing a victim’s Ring camera in Florida and making a call to the North Port Florida Police Department, in which he purported to be the victim’s husband who had just killed her, was holding a hostage, and had rigged explosives at the residence. McCarty then livestreamed the law enforcement response and posted a message on social media taking credit for the swatting incident and stating that he thought it was amusing.

    The FBI investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Khaldoun Shobaki of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Philadelphia Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for House Burglary on the Choctaw Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jackson, MS – A Philadelphia man was sentenced to three years in federal prison for burglarizing a home in the Tucker community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation.

    According to court documents, Sherente Tubby, 23, burglarized the home of a tribal member in December of 2021.  Tubby was indicted by a federal grand jury in March of 2022, and pled guilty in September of 2024.  He was sentenced on January 14, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick Lemon and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.  

    The Choctaw Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne and Brian K. Burns prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), a nationwide initiative that was launched in 2001 and works to reduce violent crime and gun violence.  It’s a collaboration between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement, prosecutors, and community leaders.  PSN is coordinated by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in the 94 federal judicial districts throughout the 50 states and U.S. territories.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhood, please visit http://www.psn.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Repeat Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A registered sex offender has pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester to child pornography charges.

    Corey Bouchard, 34, of Douglas, pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging him with accessing with intent to view child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for May 7, 2025 in Worcester. Bouchard was charged by complaint in April 2024.  

    During a November 2023 search of Bouchard’s home, a cache file was found on Bouchard’s cell phone, which contained approximately 72 videos depicting child pornography. The file names of approximately 56 of those videos matched the file names from media files shared by others to Kik messenger group chats that Bouchard was in. Bouchard admitted to accessing child pornography with the intent to view it.

    Bouchard has a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography and is a registered sex offender. The charge of access with intent to view child pornography provides for a sentence of a minimum of 10 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, an assessment of $5,000, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3014, and assessment of up to $17,000, a mandatory special assessment of $100, restation, and forfeiture. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Uxbridge and Douglas Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch on Trump’s January 6th Pardons: “Their actions should be condemned by each of us and by our President. Those actions should not be condoned with pardons.” 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) yesterday delivered remarks from theSenate Floor about President Donald Trump’s pardons of insurrectionists, who onJanuary 6th 2021 used violence in an attempt to stop the peacefultransfer of power. President Trump issued pardons for nearly 1,600 January 6th defendantsand commuted the sentences of 14 dangerous criminals in his first week oftaking office. 
    Watch Senator Welch’s remarks here: 

    Key quotes from Senator Welch’s speech: 
    “In the United States we believe in the peaceful transfer of power. In the United States we believe that the people—not elected politicians—decide who is their president.  
    “And both of those principles have served our democracy very well—through thick and thin, through strife and turmoil—for the past 248 years.  
    “Both of those principles were challenged on January 6th, 2021. A mob that was incited by then-President Trump attacked the Capitol for the explicit purpose of using violence to overturn the peaceful transfer of power. They were trying to intimidate elected politicians to substitute their judgment, their preferred candidate for president, instead of acknowledging the will of the people that they represented.  
    “But our democracy endured—that is the very good news. And, in testament to that, we just witnessed a renewal of America’s commitment to the peaceful transfer of power with the inauguration of Donald Trump as our 47th President.  
    “However, I must speak today, sadly, about one of the first actions of President Trump. And that, of course, is pardoning 1,600 people and commuting sentences of 14 very dangerous criminals who were involved in that violent attack on January 6th. Speaking for myself, I condemn that action by President Trump.” 
    ■■■ 
    “I was there that day—many of us were. I was in the Gallery of the House of Representatives. It’s a day I won’t forget but America will never forget. It’s had a deep impact on our country, the citizens, the folks who work here, and that honorable tradition of the peaceful transfer of power.  
    “I was very amazed and proud to see officers, men and women, who withstood this assault. More than 150 officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department were injured that day. Five officers died in the aftermath.   
    “There was severe damage to this Senate Chamber, the House Chamber, the office buildings, the Capitol Rotunda—where we just had another inauguration only a few days ago. Blood, feces, glass, and other debris from the mob’s attack was everywhere—at a cost of close to $3 million.”  
    ■■■ 
    “How is it that one of the first acts of our president, who wants to be “unifier,” was to pardon people who acted with such violence, such anger, and such contempt?  
    “President Trump has tried to erase this attack and re-write the history of what happened on January 6th. He has called the insurrectionists, including those who fought with the police, ‘patriots’ and ‘hostages’. They were neither.” 
    ■■■ 
    “These pardons are disrespectful. They’re also dangerous. They’re disrespectful to the men and women who served, who suffered the violence, and are living with the consequences. And they’re dangerous to the law enforcement who serve us every day. The pardons validate the violence of the mob and dishonor the service of those who protect us.  
    “Unconscionable and appalling actions of January 6th should be repudiated by every Member of Congress. Whatever differences we have, it is vital that those differences be resolved at the ballot box and that the will of the people be respected.  
    “No citizen, however passionate they may be about their political beliefs, no matter how disappointed they may be at the outcome of an election, is justified in attacking the men and women of the Capitol Police. Their actions should be condemned by each of us and by our President. Those actions should not be condoned with pardons.” 
    ■■■ 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Large-scale stress test held at Kai Tak Sports Park (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducted a large-scale stress test at the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) tonight (January 24) to test the operation and capability of the three venues and the supporting facilities in the vicinity during events with maximum attendance, with a view to ensuring the smooth operation of the KTSP upon its official commissioning in the first quarter of this year.

         Co-ordinated by the Exercise Team of the HKPF, the stress test covered five specific testing and evaluation areas, namely security screening and ticket checks; venue signage and designated seating arrangements; inter-agency co-ordination in response to emergencies; various crowd management measures; and passenger flow management by public transport operators.
     
         Over 60 000 participants simulated crowd flow during the test. A number of bureaux, departments and organisations, namely the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Transport Department, the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the MTR Corporation Limited and the KTSP Limited, also participated in the stress test.
     
         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, inspected the stress test. He said that, thanks to the close collaboration of all parties, the exercise was conducted in a smooth manner. The anticipated effects and test objectives were achieved with satisfactory results.
     
         He added that during the stress test, the arrangements for participants entering and leaving the venue, as well as public transportation, became more refined and orderly. All units were able to respond promptly to deal with simulated emergencies.
     
         Mr Chan expressed gratitude to various government departments, the KTSP Limited and public transport operators for their preparation and co-ordination work. He also thanked the personnel involved in the test, including civil servants from 77 bureaux and departments, community members, and residents of the Kai Tak area, for their full support and co-operation.
     
         He said he believes that the KTSP will become a new landmark in Hong Kong, welcoming audiences from all over the world to enjoy exciting events and activities together with Hong Kong citizens.
     
         In future test events and stress tests co-ordinated by the Exercise Team, the “Red Team” concept will continue to be applied to identify vulnerable areas, working in concert with relevant bureaux, departments and organisations to continuously review and enhance various aspects, with a view to ensuring full preparedness for the official commissioning of the KTSP.
                          

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by CS at media session after stress test at Kai Tak Sports Park

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan; the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law; and the Exercise Director of Inter-departmental Task Group on Test and Drills and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming, met the media after the stress test at the Kai Tak Sports Park this evening (January 24). Following are the remarks of the media session:
     
    Reporter: Can you confirm that the Kai Tak Sports Park will open officially on March 1? What can we expect to see at the opening ceremony? This is the first time such a large crowd disperse at the same time and we observed that sometimes the paths were quite packed. Are there any concerns about the potential bottleneck or crowd crush and how can we prevent that? Thank you.
     
    Chief Secretary for Administration: We will have many stress tests in the future, as I just told you that we have two large scale stress tests in the future. So up to now, depending on the results of the tests, I think we cannot confirm the official opening day of the Kai Tak Sports Park. But once when everything is ready, we will make an announcement as soon as possible. Today, the dispersal is very smooth, I would say, and I really don’t see any bottleneck actually, because the situation, I would say, is far better than my expectation.
     
    (Please also refer to the Chinese version of the remarks.)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched following stabbing in Putney

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a 75-year-old man in Putney.

    On Friday, 24 January at 03:36hrs police were called to an address in Deodar Road, SW15 following reports of a stabbing.

    Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service who treated a man for stab injuries.

    Sadly, despite the emergency services best efforts, he was pronounced dead on scene.

    His next of kin have been made aware although we currently await formal identification. They are currently being supported by specialist officers.

    A special post-mortem examination is due to take place today.

    A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, he remains in police custody. It is believed he was known to the victim.

    Detective Superintendent Amanda Mawhinney from the South West Command Unit which covers Putney said: “We are currently supporting the family of a man who was sadly killed in the early hours of this morning.

    “I am aware that people in the community may feel shocked following this – we believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the public.

    “Although we have made significant progress by making an arrest, I would like to make it clear that our investigation does not stop here. We need the local community to help us understand what happened in the early hours of this morning.

    “We are appealing for anyone who was in the area at around 3am and that saw or heard anything unusual to contact us as soon as possible.

    “You may notice a higher police presence within the area today whilst we carry out our enquiries. A scene is in place as well as road closures. If you feel the need to raise anything with our officers, then please feel free to speak with them whilst they are in the area.”

    Enquiries remain ongoing.

    Anyone with information which could assist with the investigation is asked to call 101 stating CAD721/24JAN. Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by submitting an online form.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Response to Storm Éowyn

    Source: Scottish Government

    Severe weather and disruption expected to continue. 

    First Minister John Swinney has asked people to continue to follow Police Scotland advice not to travel during the red weather warning and to be mindful that dangerous conditions will persist for the rest of the evening while the amber warning remains in place. 

    It follows a meeting of the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGoRR), which is co-ordinating the response to the damage and disruption caused by Storm Éowyn in Scotland. 

    SGoRR was updated on the current impacts, including: 

    • Currently around 100,000 households without power 
    • Severe transport disruption with rail, bus, flight, ferry and tram cancellations as well as road closures across the network 
    • 92% of the school estate in Scotland is closed 
    • Cancellation of non-urgent medical appointments 

    The First Minister said utility companies are working at pace to restore power as quickly as possible, however as conditions remain too dangerous for recovery teams to operate fully, welfare provisions are in place to support the most vulnerable. Members of the public are also being urged to plan ahead and continue to follow safety advice in the coming days, including checking for the latest road conditions, Scotrail services and public transport advice which are all expected to experience continued disruption.   

    First Minister John Swinney said: 

    “Storm Éowyn is an exceptional weather event and is causing significant impacts across Scotland, with multiple reports of fallen trees and blown over vehicles. What the Met Office predicted has come our way, with gusts of 100mph winds reported. 

    “I want to thank members of the public for largely following Police Scotland’s advice not to travel. However, this storm is not over yet. Even once the red weather warning expires, severe weather warnings for wind, snow and ice remain in place across much of the country tonight and into tomorrow morning. 

    “A high level of vigilance is still required. There are still too many lorries on the road and I urge all HGVs to follow Police Scotland advice not to travel during the red weather warning. 

    “We are also seeing reports of multiple power outages across Scotland and expect these to continue over the course of the day. It will take time to recover power and transport services across the country, as conditions still remain too dangerous for recovery teams to operate.  

    “Utilities companies are focused on supporting their most vulnerable customers and I’d encourage everyone to please look out for each other and take extra care during this time.” 

    Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland, who is leading the multi-agency response to Storm Eowyn, said:

    “We have seen significant disruption across the country, particularly in the areas affected by the red weather warning. First and foremost, our thoughts are with those who have been injured and those impacted by the weather.

    “The high winds are forecast to continue, with Amber warnings in place into this evening and tomorrow morning.

    “It is concerning that there has been a large number of HGVs on the road. We have responded to 11 incidents so far where HGVs have overturned due to high winds and I want to reiterate the advice that you should not travel in or to areas under the red weather warning. Additionally, I would urge the public to avoid travelling in areas affected by the Amber warning and consider delaying your travel until conditions improve. We don’t ask you to do this lightly and we make this ask with public safety at the forefront of decision-making.

    “Roads are likely to be affected by debris for some time to come and motorists should drive with caution when it is safe to return to the roads.”

    Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Head of Operations Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Garry Mackay said:

    “Our Operations Control rooms are experiencing an extremely high number of 999 calls at the moment. Please only dial 999 and ask for us where there is an immediate risk of harm.

    “For fallen trees or obstacles that do not pose an immediate risk to the public or property, we are asking the public to please contact your local authority.”

    Background  

    SGoRR was attended by the Deputy First Minister, and Cabinet Secretaries for Health; Education; Transport; Justice; Rural Affairs and Islands; and Net Zero and Energy. They were joined by representatives from the Met Office, Police Scotland, Transport Scotland, SEPA, transport and utilities companies and resilience partners. 

    The latest Met Office weather warnings are available on the Met Office website.  

    Flood alerts are issued by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency and can be viewed on their website.   

    Advice on preparing for severe weather can be found on the Ready Scotland website.   

    Follow Traffic Scotland for the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts. Updates on ScotRail services and road conditions are available online. 

    To report a power cut or damage to electricity power lines or substations call the SP Networks national Freephone number 105. More information on what to do during a storm can also be found on SP Energy Website. 

    During a power cut firefighters can be called to fires started by candles or portable heaters. For advice on how to stay safe during a power cut visit Scottish Fire and Rescue Website.  

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Issues Notification of Investigative Findings Regarding Investigation into the Death of Bashe McDaniel

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) is today issuing a Notification of Investigative Findings regarding the investigation into the death of Bashe McDaniel, who died on December 29, 2023 after an encounter with members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Police in Queens. Upon completion of the investigation into Mr. McDaniel’s death, OSI has concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ use of deadly physical force was justified under the law. A final Investigation Report will follow.

    About the Incident
    On December 29, 2023 at 10:20 p.m. two MTA officers shot and killed Mr. McDaniel in front of 91-04 Sutphin Boulevard in Queens after Mr. McDaniel fired a round from a gun he had in his waistband area while the officers were attempting to handcuff him. A firearm was recovered from Mr. McDaniel and recovered ballistics evidence showed that Mr. McDaniel fired at least one shot.

    The two MTA officers were searching for an individual on Sutphin Boulevard in Queens following a report of an alleged sexual assault. The officers spotted Mr. McDaniel, who appeared to match a photograph they had of him, and attempted to arrest him. Mr. McDaniel resisted being handcuffed, and he and the officers fell to the ground, where, during the struggle, Mr. McDaniel’s firearm discharged and struck him in the abdomen. The officers discharged their service weapons in response, striking Mr. McDaniel.

    Incident Video and Evidence Photos
    The incident was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras.

    Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident.

    In cases where the evidence and legal analysis are clear and the investigation is complete, OSI may issue a Notification of Investigative Findings announcing the conclusion of the investigation. In such cases, OSI will issue the final Investigation Report, as required by law, at a later date.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Roanoke Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Role in Gun Store Heist

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROANOKE, Va. – A third man involved in a scheme to break into a Virginia pawnshop and steal firearms was sentenced recently to 10 years in federal prison.

    Ronald Perry, 42, of Radford, Virginia, previously pled guilty to giving a firearm to a felon.

    Several men, including defendants Perry, Malcolm Stanton, and Michael Hall were charged with being involved in a burglary at a local pawn shop. Justin Cumbee and Austin Hixon were charged with being prohibited persons in possession of firearms.

    Cumbee and Stanton were each sentenced to 10 years.

    According to court documents, on November 1, 2022, Perry broke into the 1st Pawn, and stole approximately 15 firearms which he divided up with Stanton & Hall. Several of those guns were later illegally sold or traded for drugs.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Radford Police Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Christiansburg Police Department, the Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly McGann and Lee Brett are prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Plymouth Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to a Decade Long Cyberstalking Campaign Against Multiple Victims and Possession of Child Pornography

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

    Defendant allegedly posted digitally altered images of victim to social media accounts and programmed artificial intelligence-driven chatbots to mimic human conversation with other unknown users of social media platforms

    BOSTON – A Plymouth, Mass. man has agreed to plead guilty to charges relating to cyberstalking numerous Massachusetts victims through social media, email and various online platforms. The defendant allegedly programmed multiple artificial intelligence-driven chatbots to mimic human conversation through text or voice interactions with unknown users of social media platforms and used generative artificial-intelligence tools to create pornographic images of the victims in order to post them online to websites that focus on shaming and degrading women.

    James Florence Jr., 36, has agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of cyberstalking and one count of possession of child pornography. Florence was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in September 2024. According to the charging documents, on or about January of 2014 through September of 2024, Florence engaged in an extensive cyberstalking campaign targeting victims and those associated with them. Florence used a variety of techniques and methods to allegedly harass and intimidate his victims and others in the community, including making fake nude images of the victims, doxing or exposing victims’ personal information, creating vulgar fake accounts in the victims’ names and accessing online accounts without authorization (i.e. “hacking”) the victims’ accounts.

    Florence’s cyberstalking campaigns allegedly included obtaining, -and then widely distributing, private information about the victims, such as private photographs or photographs shared amongst friends on social media. These photographs were frequently doctored to appear sexual or pornographic in nature. According to court documents Florence also allegedly accessed online accounts without authorization; created accounts in the name of his victims; and solicitated fantasy sexual encounters on their behalf. In the case of one victim, those fabricated sexual encounters allegedly included building a profile of the victim on an interactive platform with information about the victim’s apparent underwear preference, information that the victim was sexually adventurous, used sex toys and had a sex swing in her home. Florence allegedly listed the victims home address; posed as his victims by creating impersonation accounts in their names and then posted  or sent various harmful content from those accounts; encouraged others to extort, shame, defame and intimidate victims for pornographic material; and stole victims’ underwear and used photos of the underwear to both harass those victims or engage with others on the internet to further  mutual sexual fantasies.

    In addition to having received threatening messages from social media and email accounts believed to be controlled by Florence, the victims also allegedly received harassing and extorting communications that are believed to be from users who messaged the victims as a result of Florence’s posts encouraging them to do so. Florence allegedly created and posted photo collages of one of the victims to a website, including images edited to make her appear nude or semi-nude along with all her personal identifying information and captions that encouraged viewers to “Post & Share Her Everywhere. Make The Whore Famous.”

    The charge of stalking by electronic means provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Fire Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Anderson Felon Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm Following Drunk Driving Crash

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— Jonathon Jerald Ashley Jr., 30, of Anderson, Indiana, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    According to court documents, on October 22, 2023, an Anderson Police Department officer was called to a vehicle crash in the vicinity of 20th and Noble Streets. The officer arrived to find a heavily intoxicated Jonathon Ashley walking away from the accident.

    During a search of Ashley’s person, officers located a loaded Glock handgun in his front right pocket. At the time of arrest, Ashley had been previously convicted of domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, invasion of privacy, dealing in a narcotic drug, and pointing a firearm. His felony convictions prohibit him from ever legally possessing a firearm again.

    “This defendant has repeatedly demonstrated his utter disregard for the law or the safety of others, including those closest to him,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Many illegally armed perpetrators of gun violence in the home and in the community have a prior history of domestic violence. That’s why our office is working together with the FBI, through the LEATH initiative, to protect the public from these offenders and save lives.”

    “This dangerous combination of impaired driving and illegal possession of a firearm had the potential to lead to devastating consequences and this sentence underscores the seriousness of the defendant’s actions,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Herbert J. Stapleton. “The FBI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who show such reckless disregard for the law and the safety of others will be held accountable.”

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Anderson Police Department and investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, who prosecuted this case.

    This case was brought as part of the LEATH Initiative (Law Enforcement Action to Halt Domestic Violence), named in honor of Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) Officer Breann Leath, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic disturbance call.  A partnership among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the IMPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the LEATH Initiative focuses federal, state, and local law enforcement resources on domestic violence offenders who illegally possess firearms.

    ###

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney and HSI Announce Federal Sex Crimes Involving a Minor Against U.S. Army Soldier

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A U.S. Army soldier has been charged with multiple federal sex crimes involving a minor, including interstate travel for sexual conduct and production of child sexual abuse material, following an investigation by federal authorities.

    The indictment alleges that between November 2022, and May 2024, Victor Barnett Lane allegedly coerced a minor into sexual activity, traveled from South Korea to New Mexico for purposes of sexual activity, and produced child sexual abuse imagery.

    Lane has been ordered to remain in custody pending trial. If convicted, Lane faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division and Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

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

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Six people charged with the murder of a man in Haringey

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A further two men have been charged with the murder of a man in Haringey, following an investigation by homicide detectives. This takes the total charged to six people.

    Gregory Castillo Volquez, aged 36, was stabbed at an address on Tiverton Road, Haringey on Monday, 13 January.

    Gabriel Francisco Pineda Gonzalez, aged 20 (17.04.2004) of High Trees, SW2 appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 17 January.

    Benito Ramirez Kones, aged 19 (27.06.2005) of Fermain Court East, N1 appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 23 January. Both were charged with murder.

    The above comes after three men and a woman were charged on Wednesday, 15 January.

    • Carlos Alfredo Ramirez Tavarez, aged 27 (24.08.1996) of Tiverton Road, N15
    • Edison Dario Canario Perez, aged 22 (6.6.2001) of Tiverton Road, N15
    • Joan Perea, aged 20 (07.10.2004) of Tiverton Road, N15
    • Naiara Lizeth Hernandez-Bonilla, aged 20 (2.6.2004) of Birnam Road, N4

    They have been remanded in custody. A trial is due to begin on Monday, 20 October at the Old Bailey.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures Guilty Pleas from Two Zuni Men in Armed Assault Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – Two men from Zuni, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon after admitting to committing an armed assault involving four victims.

    According to court documents, on April 8, 2023, Kamron Kallestewa, 24, and Kaden Panteah, 20, both enrolled members of the Pueblo of Zuni, armed themselves with pistols and went to a residence within the exterior boundaries of the Zuni Pueblo, where they assaulted four individuals.

    There, Kallestewa struck John Doe 1 in the face and head with a pistol, causing bruising, and then pointed the weapon at John Doe 2, placing the muzzle on the back of his head. He further escalated the violence by pointing the pistol at Jane Doe 1’s head and striking Jane Doe 2 in the face, resulting in a cut under her eye.

    Panteah participated in the assault by putting the muzzle of his pistol to the back of John Doe 2’s head. Additionally, Panteah discharged a weapon in the direction of all four victims with the intent to cause bodily harm.

    Kallestewa and Panteah will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. At sentencing, they each face up to 10 years in prison. Upon their release from prison, Kallestewa and Panteah will be subject to three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mia Ulibarri-Rubin and Jesse Pecoraro are prosecuting the case.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Met officer convicted of rape

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A Met officer has been convicted of rape following an investigation by detectives.

    PC Samuel McGregor, 33, previously attached to the Central North Command Unit was found guilty of rape on Friday, 24 January following a trial at Inner London Crown Court.

    He had previously pleaded not guilty to rape at Inner London Crown Court Crown Court on 23 June 2023.

    Chief Superintendent Andy Carter, in charge of policing for Central North: “I am sickened by McGregor’s abhorrent behaviour and the pain he has caused the victim.

    “There is simply no place for individuals like McGregor in the Met, and we will continue to root out such vile individuals.

    “I am proud of the officers who throughout the investigation displayed the care and compassion deserved by the victim, as they carried out interviews and gathered forensic evidence to show the extent of the abuse and develop a watertight case against McGregor.   

    “Above all, I am pleased to see today’s result, which I hope brings some closure to the victim.

    “Now that criminal proceedings have taken place, McGregor will face a misconduct hearing at the earliest opportunity.”

    The court heard that the victim, who was known to McGregor, had been raped on 11 May 2021 at an address in London. She confided this incident to her colleagues at a later date, and they reported it to officers on the victim’s behalf on 2 June 2021. McGregor was swiftly arrested the day after, on suspicion of rape.

    A misconduct hearing will take place in due course.

    Sentencing will be held on Monday, 10 March.

    McGregor was suspended from duty on 3 March 2022 after he admitted lying during a police interview.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: South Yarmouth Resident Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A South Yarmouth man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for possessing a firearm and ammunition. Defendant barricaded himself in basement following domestic disturbance.

    Michael Giampapa, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns to 45 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2024, Giampapa pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    On March 16, 2022, police responded to a call reporting a domestic disturbance at a residence in South Yarmouth involving Giampapa and a family member. Giampapa was barricaded in the basement when police arrived. He spoke by phone with a family member and during that call, stated he has a gun. After a standoff with law enforcement Giampapa eventually exited the residence and was arrested.

    Following a search of the residence where Giampapa was staying a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard loaded .380 handgun was recovered inside a cereal box on open shelving in the basement. Giampapa had previously been convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Chief Kevin Lennon of the Yarmouth Police Department made the announcement today. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit.

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

    This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see: https://www.justice.gov/projectguardian.
     

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