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Category: Police

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Russian Nationals Charged for Their Participation in an Illicit Procurement Network That Exported to Russia Sensitive U.S.-Sourced Microelectronics with Military Applications in Violation of U.S. Export Controls

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

    Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Jonathan Carson, the Special Agent in Charge of the Office of Export Enforcement of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce, announced today that ZHANNA SOLDATENKOVA and RUSLAN ALMETOV, both Russian nationals, were indicted along with ARTHUR PETROV, a dual Russian and German national, for export control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering in connection with their alleged participation in a scheme to procure U.S.-sourced microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.  PETROV, previously charged in a criminal Complaint, was arrested on August 26, 2023, in the Republic of Cyprus at the request of the U.S. and was extradited from the Republic of Cyprus earlier this year.  He arrived in the Southern District of New York on August 8, 2024, and was ordered detained.  SOLDATENKOVA and ALMETOV are at large.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein.

    The indictment can be read here.

    U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Zhanna Soldatenkova and Ruslan Almetov are now charged, alongside previously charged Arthur Petrov, for conspiring to smuggle microelectronics with military applications from U.S. distributors to a Russian company that supplies manufacturers for the Russian military.  This Office is committed to exposing the full breadth of such illicit procurement networks and protecting our national security.”

    Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “Zhanna Soldatenkova and Ruslan Almetova, along with Arthur Petrov, allegedly conspired to evade export laws as members of an illegal international procurement network to help aid the Russian defense industry.  As alleged, by deliberately concealing the true nature of their business, they not only violated the law but ultimately put the national security of our country at risk.  The FBI, in concert with our partners, is determined to protect the United States and will hold accountable anyone attempting to harm our nation.”

    Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson said: “As this action demonstrates, we will work with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to charge alleged violators wherever they may be worldwide. Illegal global procurement networks that prop up the Russian war machine will not be tolerated. That’s why we and our law enforcement partners are working nonstop to ensure that those operating such networks face American justice.”

    According to the allegations contained in the Indictment returned in Manhattan federal court:[1]

    PETROV is a dual Russian-German national who previously resided in Russia and Cyprus and worked for LLC Electrocom VPK (“Electrocom”), a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military.  SOLDATENKOVA is a Russian national who has resided in Russia and worked for Electrocom.  ALMETOV is also a Russian national who has resided in Russia and was the co-founder and served as General Director of Electrocom.

    PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas.  More specifically, they fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom.  To carry out the scheme, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV used shell companies and other deceptive means to conceal that the electronics components were destined for Russia.  The technology that the defendants procured in contravention of export controls had significant military applications and included various types of electronics components of the sort that have been recovered in Russian military hardware on the battlefield in Ukraine, such as Russian guided missiles, drones, and electronic warfare and communications devices.

    To perpetrate the scheme, PETROV first acquired the controlled microelectronics from U.S.-based electronics exporters using a Cyprus-based shell company, Astrafteros Technokosmos LTD (“Astrafteros”), which he operated.  PETROV procured these sensitive electronics components by falsely representing to the U.S. exporters that Astrafteros was purchasing the items for fire security systems, among other commercial uses, and that the ultimate end-users and destinations of the electronics are companies in Cyprus or other third countries — when in fact the components were destined for Electrocom in Russia, which supplies manufacturers for the Russian military.  The microelectronics that PETROV procured as part of the conspiracy included, among other things, microcontrollers and integrated circuits on the Commerce Control List maintained by the Commerce Department and which could not lawfully be exported or reexported to Russia without a license from the Commerce Department.  Invoices provided to PETROV by the U.S. distributors expressly noted that these microcontrollers and integrated circuits were subject to U.S. export controls.

    To evade these controls, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV worked together to transship the controlled items procured by PETROV using pass-through entities operated by SOLDATENKOVA and ALMETOV in third countries.  SOLDATENKOVA and ALMETOV then caused the items to be shipped, sometimes through yet another country, to the ultimate destination: Electrocom in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  At all times, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV concealed from the U.S. distributors that they were procuring the controlled electronics components on behalf of Electrocom and that the items were destined for Russia.  During the course of the conspiracy, PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV procured from U.S. distributors and shipped to Russia more than $225,000 worth of controlled electronics components with military applications.

    *                *                *

    A table containing the charges and maximum penalties for PETROV, 35, of Russia and Cyprus, SOLDATENKOVA, 36, of Russia, and ALMETOV, 43, of Russia, is set forth below.  The maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

    Charge

    Defendants

    Maximum Penalties
    Count One:  Conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 5 years’ imprisonment
    Count Two:  Conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (“ECRA”) (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Three:  Violation of ECRA (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Four:  Violation of ECRA (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Five:  Violation of ECRA (50 U.S.C. §§ 4819(a)(1), 4819(a)(2)(A)-G), and 4819(b); 15 C.F.R. §§ 736.2(b)(1), 746.8(a)(1), and 764.2) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Six:  Conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 5 years’ imprisonment
    Count Seven:  Smuggling goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. §§ 554(a) and 2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 10 years’ imprisonment
    Count Eight:  Smuggling goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. §§ 554(a) and 2) PETROV and SOLDATENKOVA 10 years’ imprisonment
    Count Nine:  Smuggling goods from the United States (18 U.S.C. §§ 554(a) and 2) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 10 years’ imprisonment
    Count Ten:  Conspiracy to commit wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment
    Count Eleven:  Conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956(h), 1956(f)) PETROV, SOLDATENKOVA, and ALMETOV 20 years’ imprisonment

    Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office, Counterintelligence Division and the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce.  Mr. Williams also thanked the FBI’s Legal Attaché offices in Poland, Germany, and Athens, Greece; the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs; the Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Justice and Public Order; and the Law Office of the Republic for their assistance.  The Republic of Cyprus National Police also provided critical assistance in effecting the defendant’s arrest and detention at the request of the U.S.

    This prosecution is coordinated through the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture and the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force.  Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the U.S. has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.  The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.

    This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Sullivan is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Maria Fedor of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

    The charges in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Massachusetts Man Convicted of Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

              WASHINGTON – A Massachusetts man was convicted of felony and misdemeanor offenses related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

              Michael St. Pierre, 46, of Swansea, Massachusetts, was found guilty on Oct. 9, 2024, of one felony and three misdemeanor offenses in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia following a bench trial before U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb.

              Specifically, St. Pierre was convicted of felony offense of civil disorder and three misdemeanor offenses, including destruction of government property, disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and committing an act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds.

              Judge Cobb will sentence St. Pierre on March 14, 2025.

              According to court documents, in the days leading to Jan. 6, 2021, St. Pierre posted on social media regarding his actions and intent for Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. In one such post, St. Pierre wrote that he was “off to Washington, DC until Jan 7th to help save our Constitution . . . and hopefully help stop the certification of a crooked, dementia patient who is so deep in China’s pockets it’s insane!!”

              On Jan. 6, 2021, St. Pierre arrived at the Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C., wearing a body armor vest and carrying a megaphone. St. Pierre approached the west side of the Capitol grounds and recorded a video on his phone, which was later posted to his Facebook page. In the video, St. Pierre pointed the camera at the Capitol building and said, “That’s where the meeting ground is. Hopefully they bust through, and I’ll join them, to rush the Capitol and go grab Nancy Pelosi by the hair and f—ing twirl her around.”

              St. Pierre traveled across the west front and climbed on top of a wall of the exterior façade of the West Plaza next to the Northwest stairs. While there, he yelled through his megaphone as the packed crowd filled the steps next to him and the Plaza below. St. Pierre then made his way to the Upper West Terrace and eventually arrived at the North Doors on the northern exterior wall of the Capitol building.

              Here, while the Metropolitan and Capitol Police Officers were outside the North Doors attempting to prevent the crowd from entering the Capitol building, St. Pierre waved the crowd forward towards the Capitol and the outnumbered officers and then pushed on the backs of other rioters who were directly battling with police. While St. Pierre pushed, rioters in front of him sprayed bear spray and used flag poles as clubs and spears against the police officers. Eventually, the crowd charged the officers, and the officers retreated inside of the Capitol building. St. Pierre joined the crowd chasing the officers and cheered on the attack through his megaphone.

              While rioters continued to battle police outside the North Doors, St. Pierre attempted to incite the crowd through his megaphone, saying, “Come on everybody, let’s go everybody, we got to get everybody tight. We got to get tight! Let’s go guys! We are going to storm this bitch!”  At one point, while police attempted to deploy fire extinguisher smoke to clear the area of rioters, St. Pierre threw a metal flagpole top at one of the glass windows in the door while officers were directly behind the doors.

              The FBI arrested St. Pierre on July 27, 2023, in Fall River, Massachusetts.

              The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts provided valuable assistance.

              The FBI’s Boston and Washington Field Offices investigated this case. The United States Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance.

              In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

              Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Law Enforcement with a Weapon and Other Charges During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

              WASHINGTON – A California man pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2024, to assaulting law enforcement with a weapon and other charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

              Jerry Daniel Braun, 70, of South El Monte, California, pleaded guilty to six felonies, including one count of civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, including one count involving the use of a deadly or dangerous weapon; one count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; one count of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; and one count of engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

              In addition to the felonies, Braun also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct in a Capitol Building or Grounds and one count of committing an act of physical violence in a Capitol Building or Grounds. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly will sentence Braun on Jan. 27, 2025.

              According to the government’s evidence, Braun traveled from California to Washington, D.C., and attended the “Stop the Steal” near the Ellipse. Braun then made his way toward the Capitol building and arrived in the area near the Garfield Circle around 12:53 p.m. He then entered the restricted area and advanced with a crowd of rioters toward a police line on the West Plaza. Braun then made his way to the front of the crowd of rioters, lowered his head, and pushed with the crowd against the police line.

              At approximately 1:11 p.m., several rioters began to attack the line of police officers and dragged one officer into the mob. There, with the officer and rioters at his feet, Braun twice raised and swung a cane down at the individuals on the ground. Shortly after this incident, Braun approached a line of officers, pointed at them, and shouted, “F— you, traitor!” and “F— traitor. Traitor!” He then yelled, “We pay your f— pay!”

              At about 1:13 p.m., law enforcement reinforcements arrived to expel rioters from the restricted area of the Capitol. In an attempt to control the crowd, authorities established a line of bike rack barricades to push the crowd back. Some in the crowd, including Braun, attempted to wrestle a section of the barricades away from police. Braun then used his cane to strike the bike rack barrier multiple times.

              Later, at about 1:27 p.m., Braun picked up an eight-foot-long wooden 2×4 beam from the West Plaza and began to use the beam to point and thrust at police. On one occasion, Braun turned the beam vertically and used it to thrust into the line of police officers. Braun then used the beam to jab a person holding a camera wearing a helmet labeled “PRESS”. Braun then approached this person and struck them on the head with his left hand before again jabbing them with the beam.  Braun remained inside the restricted perimeter until at least 4:00 p.m.

              The FBI arrested Braun on April 12, 2022, in California.

              The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California provided valuable assistance.

              This case was investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

              In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

              Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

                WASHINGTON — A California man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to his alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His alleged actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

                Michael Fagundes, 49, of Costa Mesa, California, is charged in an indictment filed in the District of Columbia with three felony offenses, including two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and one count of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.

                In addition to the felonies, Fagundes is charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

                The FBI arrested Fagundes on Oct. 8, 2024, in Costa Mesa, and he made his initial appearance in the Central District of California. 

                According to court documents, Fagundes attempted to attend the former President’s “Stop the Steal” rally on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C., but was refused entry. He then made his way toward the U.S. Capitol building and eventually arrived at the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement on that day.

                It is alleged that Fagundes reached the Tunnel entrance at about 2:42 p.m. and donned a gas mask. He then made his way inside the Tunnel and shortly exited before returning and approaching a group of rioters who were attempting to take control of a police riot shield. It is alleged that Fagundes himself took possession of the riot shield from the group and emerged from the Tunnel proudly displaying it over his head. He then tossed the shield onto the ground before making his way back into the Tunnel and toward the police line. Shortly thereafter, the rioters inside the Tunnel began a heave-ho movement against the police line but were quickly forced out of the Tunnel by police.

                As the rioters were forced out, at approximately 3:18 p.m., a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer was forcibly dragged from the police line at the entrance to the Tunnel and into the crowd of rioters. As the rioters attacked the officer, Fagundes shouted and moved in their direction. The crowd then surrounded the officer, and Fagundes allegedly reached toward the officer a few times before grabbing ahold of the officer’s chest and neck and dragging the officer further into the crowd.

                Around 3:50 p.m., it is alleged that Fagundes placed his hand on the handle of an Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) dispenser held up by another rioter and appeared to try and manipulate the trigger or safety mechanism. Immediately after, another rioter took possession of the dispenser and sprayed it into the Tunnel towards the police line. Court documents say that rioters on the Lower West Terrace continued to assault police officers both inside and at the mouth of the Tunnel. Shortly after the OC spray was deployed, the crowd, including Fagundes, pushed their body weight back and forth into the police line in a “heave-ho” motion.

                By about 4:09 p.m., Fagundes picked up a police riot shield near the entrance to the Tunnel and used it to push against other rioters who were pushing against the police line. Approximately two minutes later, at around 4:11 p.m., Fagundes once again made his way towards the front of the mob and reached the police line. There, Fagundes allegedly picked up a police riot shield from the ground, raised his green backpack and the shield directly over his head, stepped toward the police line, and then rapidly dropped the backpack and the shield down in a striking motion in the direction of the officers. The shield and the backpack appeared to make contact with at least one officer.

                Sometime in the afternoon, Fagundes appeared to be on a video call with another individual while he was adjacent to the continued violence against police and immediately next to a broken window that led to the inside of the U.S. Capitol building. Fagundes then appeared to gesture toward the crowd, waving them toward the broken window, and he entered the Capitol. 

             The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California provided valuable assistance.

                This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices. Fagundes was identified on the FBI’s seeking information images as AFO (Assault on Federal Officer) #527. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

                In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

                Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road blocked, SH32, Whakamaru Road

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Whakamaru Road, State Highway 32, is blocked following a serious crash this morning.

    Emergency services are in attendance of a two-vehicle crash, reported at around 6.30am.

    Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

    The road is blocked, motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Woman arrested after Christchurch incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie:

    A woman has been charged after a man suffered critical injuries in Christchurch overnight.

    About 10.30pm, a taxi driver arrived at a fastfood restaurant on Memorial Avenue to seek help after being stabbed several times. The victim suffered critical injuries but is now serious but stable condition in hospital.

    About 15 minutes after Police were called, the alleged offender was taken into custody at a nearby hotel.

    Cordons were in place overnight and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

    Police will have an ongoing presence in the area today while a scene examination is carried out, but we do not believe there is any ongoing risk to the public and are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

    A 46-year-old Auckland woman has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today.

    If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 241011/2985.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

                WASHINGTON – An Ohio man pleaded guilty on Oct. 8, 2024, to felony and misdemeanor charges related to his conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

                Dustin Martin, 30, of Grove City, Ohio, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds before U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan. Judge AliKhan will sentence Martin on Feb. 7, 2025.

                According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Martin and a friend – Cody Lee Tippett – arrived in Washington, D.C., from Columbus, Ohio, and made their way to the Ellipse to attend the former president’s speech. After the speech, Martin and Tippett walked from the Ellipse to the U.S. Capitol, arriving on the west side of Capitol grounds by at least 1:30 p.m. Martin then approached the Lower West Terrace, where he observed a crowd of people standing across from a line of bike rack barricades and police officers behind them, some dressed in riot gear.

                At approximately l:36 p.m., several rioters in Martin’s vicinity began to push against one of the barricades. As officers fought to prevent rioters from breaking the police line, Martin walked forward and joined with the rioters, leaning forward, bracing himself against those in front of him, and using his body weight to help push the barricade against the police officers on the other side. Court documents say that the group, including Martin, pushed the barricade directly into the officers, forcing them several feet back and requiring a dozen officers to drive the crowd back. The tussle caused Martin to fall, after which he retreated into the crowd.

                Later, at about 1:50 p.m., rioters on the Lower West Terrace pushed a line of police officers up a set of stairs leading to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol. Other rioters, including Martin and Tippett, followed that group of rioters up onto the stairs. However, another police line prevented the crowd from advancing further up the stairs. At approximately 2:10 p.m., the rioters again pushed past the police line on the steps and gained access to the Capitol building for the first time that day. Martin and Tippett followed.

                At approximately 2:15 p.m., Martin and Tippett entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door. Inside, Martin and Tippett walked to the Crypt and Capitol Visitor’s Center before exiting the building at about 2:57 p.m. Martin and Tippett remained on the Upper West Terrace, the area immediately outside the building, for nearly an hour.

                That day, Martin posted pictures, videos, and written descriptions on Facebook illustrating his participation in the riot at the Capitol. In one post, he included a photo of himself and Tippett inside the Capitol and wrote, “Trump 2021!!!” In another post, he included a photo of himself outside the Capitol and a video of rioters on the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol, writing, “So now I can say I’ve been hit with rubber bullets, bear mace, pepper spray, teargas, and wrestle with Capital Police f— yeah ‘America B— I’ll do it all over again too!”

                The FBI arrested Martin on June 21, 2023, in Ohio.

                Cody Lee Tippet was previously sentenced to 30 days in prison for his role in the events of January 6th.

                The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio provided valuable assistance.

                This case was investigated by the FBI’s Cincinnati and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

                In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

                Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Nearly 12 Kilograms of Methamphetamine in Adderall Lookalike Pills Via the Dark Web

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

    CINCINNATI – Six Texans convicted as part of a large-scale dark web drug trafficking organization have been sentenced in federal court in Cincinnati.

    According to court documents, from July 2019 through December 2020, the co-conspirators distributed significant quantities of methamphetamine – pressed to look like legitimate Adderall pills – over the dark web. The defendants sold at least 11.98 kilograms total of methamphetamine in pills and laundered between $15,000 and $50,000 per month using cryptocurrency. The group shipped the drugs nationwide, including into the Southern District of Ohio, using the United States Postal Service.

    The defendants used the vendor name “Loverbois,” along with several other usernames, and averaged 20 orders per day.

    Those sentenced in this case include:

    Name Age City of Residence Sentence Imposed
    Hung Ahn Huy Phung 26 Houston, Texas 84 months in prison
    John G. Dang 24 Houston, Texas 75 months in prison
    Bernardo Guzman 31 Houston, Texas 72 months in prison
    Stephanie R. Pray 35 Houston, Texas Five years’ probation
    Kevin Tran 25 Houston, Texas 60 months in prison
    Chazton Harris 29 Houston, Texas 74 months in prison

    Court documents detail that Phung created and ran the Loverbois account(s) for much of the conspiracy period. He took orders online and obtained pills from Tran and Guzman. Phung also coordinated the receipt of cryptocurrency in exchange for the pills and laundered those proceeds.

    Guzman had a pill press and industrial mixer at his apartment in Houston, where Phung also lived for a period of time. Harris also lived in the Houston apartment, where he pressed his own pills for distribution. Pray aided Guzman by helping obtain, pack, and ship the pills.

    Dang packaged pills for shipment and delivery and helped move and launder cryptocurrency. Dang laundered approximately $15,000 per month.

    The Loverbois online drug trafficking organization sold and shipped pills to undercover law enforcement officers in the Southern District of Ohio in a series of transactions.

    A federal grand jury indicted the defendants in June 2021. The final defendant, Kevin Tran, was sentenced on Sept. 30.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Orville O. Greene, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Charles L. Grinstead, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Kansas City Field Office; Lesley C. Allison, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Mason Police Chief Levi Wells; Houston Police Chief J. Noe Diaz and the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) team announced the sentences imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Deputy Criminal Chief Frederic C. “Fritz” Shadley is representing the United States in this case.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Red Pheasant First Nation — Saskatchewan RCMP responding to robbery with a firearm

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Saskatchewan RCMP are currently responding to a report of a robbery with a firearm on Red Pheasant First Nation. An adult female has been taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life threatening. No other injuries were reported to police.

    Police advise that there are two suspects, a male and a female. They may be armed and are dangerous. The suspects were last seen driving a 2019 Dodge Ram truck, Warlock edition. The truck has the word “O’Brien” or “O’Brian” on the back window and Saskatchewan license plate 716 LWG. We do not have any further description of the suspects at this time.

    Investigators have reason to believe the suspects may be travelling to Saskatoon, but their current whereabouts are unknown. Saskatchewan RCMP continues to investigate.

    We are asking the public to report any suspicious activity or people in the Red Pheasant First Nation and Saskatoon areas to police. If anyone sees the vehicle matching the above description they are asked to contact their local police or police of jurisdiction immediately. Call 9-1-1 in emergencies or 310-RCMP in non-emergencies.

    We will provide an update when we have more information available. If an imminent risk to public safety is identified, we will notify the public.

    Report all information about this incident to your local police by calling 310-RCMP.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Emerson — Manitoba RCMP and U.S. Border Patrol host border and migrant safety event

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Manitoba RCMP officers and agents from United States Border Patrol met first in Pembina, North Dakota and then at Emerson, MB to talk about border safety and showcase some of the equipment used in preventing border incursions.

    The border between Canada and the United States is the world’s longest undefended border. The RCMP in Manitoba is responsible for approximately 520 kilometres of shared border. While people and technology are in place on both sides of the border to protect it, people do still cross illegally.

    In Manitoba year-to-date in 2024, there have been 85 apprehensions of illegal northbound crossers. The originating countries of those apprehended include the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Sudan, Guinea, Iraq, Mauritania, Congo, Yemen, Somalia, Saint Helena, Eretria, Cuba, Morocco, Mali, and Brazil.

    In 2023, there were 75 apprehensions of illegal crossers into Manitoba.

    This is a complex issue, as many of the illegal crossers come to Canada to make a refugee claim. More and more, law enforcement is seeing smuggling organizations working to get the migrants across the border without detection. Human smuggling is a real concern.

    “These smugglers are not in the business because they care about the migrants,” said Sergeant Lance Goldau, head of the Manitoba RCMP’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET). “The smugglers are looking at the bottom line – getting as much money as they can with as little work as possible.”

    The ethos of the least amount of work possible leads many migrants to have to face the actual border crossing alone. They are dropped at a location far from a Port of Entry into Canada, and they are left to fend for themselves with vague directions to connect with someone waiting for them on the other side, creating major safety concerns.

    “Some individuals who are illegally crossing the border between Manitoba, North Dakota and Minnesota are not aware of the extreme weather conditions and geography they may encounter,” said Sgt. Goldau. “This lack of understanding has led to severe injury and death. They have to realize, too, that in extreme weather, even with all of our equipment, chances of a rescue are remote.”

    Both the RCMP and the Grand Forks Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol implore any would-be crossers to enter the country legally, in a way that does not involve risking one’s life.

    “Grand Forks Sector, along with our partners at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, are committed to educating the public about the dangers of crossing the border illegally; one death is too many,” said Chief Patrol Agent Scott Garrett.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Niagara on the Lake — Brampton resident pleads guilty for failing to declare over $227,000 USD at Canadian border

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    In early October 2023, two travellers arrived at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Queenston Bridge port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Both travellers declared that they did not have more than $10,000 cash with them. Upon secondary examination, CBSA officers found $227,453.00 USD concealed in the vehicle. It was determined at the time with the exchange rate to have a value of over $312,200.00 CDN.

    The CBSA seized the currency under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and detained the occupants for suspicion of smuggling under the Customs Act. The RCMP Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit then began a criminal investigation which identified the cash as belonging to the passenger of the car.

    Chandrakant Patel (56) of Brampton was charged with:

    • Fail to declare currency greater than $10,000.00 contrary to Section 12(1) of the PCMLTFA

    On September 9, 2024, Patel pled guilty to the charge.

    The RCMP is committed to working with our partners to protect the residents and communities of Canada. Our collaboration with the CBSA continues to provide positive results for Canada. The RCMP also acknowledges the hard work of the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) for the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities.

    “The Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Program is committed to working with our partners, the CBSA and FINTRAC, on joint concerns and responsibilities. This investigation highlights our dedication to working together to stop money laundering across our country.”

    • Sgt. Lepa Jankovic, Non-commissioned Officer in charge, Niagara-on-the-Lake detachment.

    “Stopping currency obtained through proceeds of crime from crossing borders is part of the commitment of the Canada Border Services Agency to keep our communities safe. This seizure and investigation demonstrates the consequences for smugglers, and those perpetuating the cycle of organized crime.”

    • Christine Durocher, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Southern Ontario Region

    Fast facts

    The RCMP Niagara-on-the-Lake Border Integrity Unit is tasked with the prevention and detection of the cross-border smuggling both to and from Canada. This unit supports four CBSA ports of entry by conducting larger criminal investigations that start at the port. The unit is also tasked with protecting the border area between the ports from Cobourg on Lake Ontario to Port Burwell on Lake Erie. The members of the unit will often be found in boats ensuring vessels are complying with reporting requirements when entering Canada.

    The CBSA works closely in an investigative capacity with our law enforcement partners such as the RCMP, and other domestic and international law enforcement partners, to combat the impact that cross border criminal activity is having on our communities.

    If you have any information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession, or wish to report other criminality, you can contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Arvin High School Employee Sentenced for Explosives Conspiracy and Making False Statements to FBI

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Angelo Jackson Mendiver, 27, of Bakersfield, a former campus security supervisor at Arvin High School, was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to engage in the manufacturing and dealing in explosive materials and for mailing explosive devices, as well as making false statements to FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, Mendiver used an Instagram account to sell explosives and explosive materials and worked closely with a male juvenile Bakersfield high school student to fulfill transactions and send explosives in the mail to residents of other states. In Instagram messages to the juvenile, Mendiver sent a photo of titanium salute, an explosive device, followed by two videos of homemade explosive devices that he had made and the statement that “homemade kills all consumer.” He also advised the juvenile to be “super careful bro that homemade shit is dangerous.” On June 1, 2023, a federal search warrant executed at Mendiver’s residence resulted in the seizure of 536 pounds of uncontained explosives and explosive materials, which presented an extreme safety hazard to the residents. Agents seized another 440 pounds of uncontained explosives and explosive materials from the juvenile’s residence. At both residences, agents also found items used to make explosives.

    Mendiver also falsely stated to FBI agents that he did not sell explosives and did not work with anyone in committing explosives offenses.

    The juvenile co-conspirator’s case is being handled by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen A. Escobar prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Indicted in Conspiracy to Commit Bank Robberies in the Eastern District of California and the East Bay

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

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Sept. 26, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment against Dontae Jones Jr., 20, and Yasmin Millett, 21, both residing in Northern California with no fixed address, and JoMya Mauriyne Futch, 21, of Richmond, charging them with conspiracy to commit bank robbery and bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Futch was additionally charged with one count of perjury.

    The indictment was unsealed today following the defendants’ arrests.

    According to court documents, between June 2023 and September 2024, Jones and Millett conspired to commit at least 10 bank robberies in Sacramento, Vallejo, Suisun City, Benicia, Concord, and Antioch. Jones and Millett worked together and with others, primarily women they recruited, such as Futch, to facilitate a patterned series of bank robberies. The participants drove to bank and credit union branches, entered the branches with threatening notes demanding money, presented the notes to branch employees, took cash, and exited the branches to a waiting getaway car. Generally, the notes would instruct the bank employees to provide money or “I will kill everyone in here.” On at least one occasion, a woman was held at gunpoint and forced to commit a robbery by Jones and Millett against her will. On another occasion, Jones and Millett used a minor in an attempted robbery. After a successful robbery, the members of the conspiracy distributed the stolen money amongst themselves.

    Jones and Millett actively sought and groomed recruits to act as the note passers. Millett advertised the conspiracy on Instagram in videos and photographs of herself and other participants holding large amounts of cash. Jones and Millett sometimes directed recruits to wear dark sunglasses during the robberies to conceal their identities and carry purses in order to carry the stolen money away from the banks and credit unions.

    Futch joined the conspiracy and conspired to commit at least two bank robberies. She is additionally charged with perjury. On Aug. 15, 2024, Futch appeared as a witness under oath before a grand jury and knowingly made false statements.

    This case is the product of an investigation by FBI field offices in San Francisco and Sacramento, with assistance from the Sacramento Police Department, Vacaville Police Department, Suisun City Police Department, Vallejo Police Department, Antioch Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Benicia Police Department, Concord Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Hayward Police Department, and Fremont Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Whitnee Goins is prosecuting the case.

    If convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. The bank robbery counts carry a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Futch faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if she is convicted of perjury. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Halifax Regional Municipality — RCMP warning of cryptocurrency investment scam

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is warning the public about a cryptocurrency investment scam reported in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

    On October 2, RCMP officers learned that a man interacted with a woman through social media platforms and was convinced to invest into a cryptocurrency app. The victim was defrauded of more than $400,000.

    With the introduction of cryptocurrencies, these scams are becoming more common and harder to detect.

    RCMP officers stress the importance of due diligence when considering investment opportunities. You can protect yourself by following these tips:

    • Be cautious: Be wary of anyone offering high-reward, low-risk investment opportunities. If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.
    • Do your research: Take the time to investigate an investment opportunity. Anyone who trades or advises on securities in Nova Scotia must be registered with the Nova Scotia Securities Commission (NSSC). If someone isn’t registered with the NSSC or another Canadian securities regulator, it’s likely they’re a scammer.
    • Get advice: Remember that cryptocurrencies are currently unregulated in Canada and don’t have the same fraud protection as credit cards, nor are they covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corp. Always use well-known and reputable exchanges to purchase cryptocurrency. When in doubt, seek advice from a reputable financial institution.

    If you or someone you know is a victim of investment fraud, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

    File #: 24-135214

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 9th, 2024 Heinrich Meets with Carlsbad Police and Fire Department Leaders to Discuss Funding Secured for Critical Public Safety Equipment Upgrades

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    PHOTOS

    Heinrich secured nearly $1 million to support a new Mobile Command Center and new radio and communications equipment that will improve law enforcement operations and emergency response in Eddy County

    CARLSBAD, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with public safety leaders at the Carlsbad Police Department to hear how nearly $1 million he secured for a forthcoming, new Mobile Command Center and operational radio and communications equipment will improve response times and emergency coordination to help law enforcement agencies in Eddy County keep New Mexicans safe.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visits with public safety leaders at the Carlsbad Police Department, highlighting plans for a new Mobile Command Center, and discussing new radio and communications equipment that he secured funds for.

    “We need to better equip law enforcement with the tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe, and I’m committed to doing that,” said Heinrich. “Upgraded technology will make a real difference for the Carlsbad Police Department, improving emergency response throughout Eddy County and helping first responders serve the community. It’s delivering investments like these to support our law enforcement officers and first responders that make me proud to fight for New Mexico on the Senate Appropriations Committee.”

    During the visit, Heinrich was briefed by the Carlsbad Police Chief Shane Skinner, Carlsbad Mayor Rick Lopez, and Carlsbad Fire Chief Tony Souza on how investments he secured through his seat on the Appropriations Committee for radio and communications equipment — currently being used by first responders and law enforcement — is keeping New Mexicans safe. Heinrich additionally highlighted funding he secured for a new Mobile Command Center.

    Background:

    Heinrich secured nearly $1 million through the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations process for a new Mobile Command Center and new radio and communications equipment to improve response times and emergency coordination to help first responders in Eddy County keep New Mexicans safe. 

    In addition to this investment, Heinrich secured $1 million in the FY24 appropriations bill to purchase new National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) ballistics testing machines for law enforcement agencies to use in Las Cruces, Farmington, Gallup, and Roswell. These machines will help law enforcement agencies quickly and effectively identify, solve, and prosecute crimes involving firearms. 

    Prior to this investment, there were only three NIBIN machines in all of New Mexico: two in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe.The Roswell NIBIN machinewill create a much closer option for law enforcement agencies in southeastern New Mexico. The intelligence gathered by all of the new NIBIN machines will go to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center where dedicated and trained analysts will use the information to trace and network firearms used in crimes across the state. The Center will then be able to feed that information back to law enforcement agencies to improve identification of suspects and support successful prosecutions.

    For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders across New Mexico, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TD Bank Pleads Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: US State of Vermont

    WASHINGTON — TD Bank N.A. (TDBNA), the 10th largest bank in the United States, and its parent company TD Bank US Holding Company (TDBUSH) (together with TDBNA, TD Bank) pleaded guilty today and agreed to pay over $1.8 billion in penalties to resolve the Justice Department’s investigation into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. 

    TDBNA pleaded guilty to conspiring to fail to maintain an anti-money laundering (AML) program that complies with the BSA, fail to file accurate Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs), and launder money. TDBUSH pleaded guilty to causing TDBNA to fail to maintain an AML program that complies with the BSA and to fail to file accurate CTRs.

    TD Bank’s guilty pleas are part of a coordinated resolution with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), as well as the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    “By making its services convenient for criminals, TD Bank became one,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today, TD Bank also became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. TD Bank chose profits over compliance with the law — a decision that is now costing the bank billions of dollars in penalties. Let me be clear: our investigation continues, and no individual involved in TD Bank’s illegal conduct is off limits.”

    “For years, TD Bank starved its compliance program of the resources needed to obey the law. Today’s historic guilty plea, including the largest penalty ever imposed under the Bank Secrecy Act, offers an unmistakable lesson: crime doesn’t pay — and neither does flouting compliance,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Every bank compliance official in America should be reviewing today’s charges as a case study of what not to do. And every bank CEO and board member should be doing the same. Because if the business case for compliance wasn’t clear before — it should be now.”

    “For nearly a decade, TD Bank failed to update its anti-money laundering compliance program to address known risks. As bank employees acknowledged in internal communications, these failures made the bank an ‘easy target’ for the ‘bad guys.’ These failures also allowed corrupt bank employees to facilitate a criminal network’s laundering of tens of millions of dollars,” said Principal Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “U.S. financial institutions are the first line of defense against money laundering and illicit finance. When they participate in crime rather than prevent it, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” 

    “TD Bank prioritized growth and convenience over following its legal obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “As a result of staggering and pervasive failures in oversight, it willfully failed to monitor trillions of dollars of transactions – including those involving ACH transactions, checks, high-risk countries, and peer-to-peer transactions – which allowed hundreds of millions of dollars from money laundering networks to flow through the bank, including for international drug traffickers. The bank was aware of these risks and failed to take steps to protect against them, including for two networks prosecuted in New Jersey and elsewhere – one that dumped piles of cash on the bank’s counters and another that allegedly withdrew amounts from ATMs 40 to 50 times higher than the daily limit for personal accounts.”

    According to court documents, between January 2014 and October 2023, TD Bank had long-term, pervasive, and systemic deficiencies in its U.S. AML policies, procedures, and controls but failed to take appropriate remedial action. Instead, senior executives at TD Bank enforced a budget mandate, referred to internally as a “flat cost paradigm,” requiring that TD Bank’s budget not increase year-over-year, despite its profits and risk profile increasing significantly over the same period. Although TD Bank maintained elements of an AML program that appeared adequate on paper, fundamental, widespread flaws in its AML program made TD Bank an “easy target” for perpetrators of financial crime.

    Over the last decade, TD Bank’s federal regulators and TD Bank’s own internal audit group repeatedly identified concerns about its transaction monitoring program, a key element of an appropriate AML program necessary to properly detect and report suspicious activities. Nonetheless, from 2014 through 2022, TD Bank’s transaction monitoring program remained effectively static, and did not adapt to address known, glaring deficiencies; emerging money laundering risks; or TD Bank’s new products and services. For years, TD Bank failed to appropriately fund and staff its AML program, opting to postpone and cancel necessary AML projects prioritizing a “flat cost paradigm” and the “customer experience.”

    Throughout this time, TD Bank intentionally did not automatically monitor all domestic automated clearinghouse (ACH) transactions, most check activity, and numerous other transaction types, resulting in 92% of total transaction volume going unmonitored from Jan. 1, 2018, to April 12, 2024. This amounted to approximately $18.3 trillion of transaction activity. TD Bank also added no new transaction monitoring scenarios and made no material changes to existing transaction monitoring scenarios from at least 2014 through late 2022; implemented new products and services, like Zelle, without ensuring appropriate transaction monitoring coverage; failed to meaningfully monitor transactions involving high-risk countries; instructed stores to stop filing internal unusual transaction reports on certain suspicious customers; and permitted more than $5 billion in transactional activity to occur in accounts even after the bank decided to close them.

    TD Bank’s AML failures made it “convenient” for criminals, in the words of its employees. These failures enabled three money laundering networks to collectively transfer more than $670 million through TD Bank accounts between 2019 and 2023. Between January 2018 and February 2021, one money laundering network processed more than $470 million through the bank through large cash deposits into nominee accounts. The operators of this scheme provided employees gift cards worth more than $57,000 to ensure employees would continue to process their transactions. And even though the operators of this scheme were clearly depositing cash well over $10,000 in suspicious transactions, TD Bank employees did not identify the conductor of the transaction in required reports. In a second scheme between March 2021 and March 2023, a high-risk jewelry business moved nearly $120 million through shell accounts before TD Bank reported the activity. In a third scheme, money laundering networks deposited funds in the United States and quickly withdrew those funds using ATMs in Colombia. Five TD Bank employees conspired with this network and issued dozens of ATM cards for the money launderers, ultimately conspiring in the laundering of approximately $39 million. The Justice Department has charged over two dozen individuals across these schemes, including two bank insiders. TD Bank’s plea agreement requires continued cooperation in ongoing investigations of individuals.

    As part of the plea agreement, TD Bank has agreed to forfeit $452,432,302.00 and pay a criminal fine of $1,434,513,478.40, for a total financial penalty of $1,886,945,780.40. TD Bank has also agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor for three years and to remediate and enhance its AML compliance program. TD Bank has separately reached agreements with the FRB, OCC, and FinCEN, and the Justice Department will credit $123.5 million of the forfeiture toward the FRB’s resolution.

    The Justice Department reached its resolution with TD Bank based on a number of factors, including the nature, seriousness, and pervasiveness of the offenses, as a result of which TD Bank became the bank of choice for multiple money laundering organizations and criminal actors and processed hundreds of millions of dollars in money laundering transactions. Although TD Bank did not voluntarily disclose its wrongdoing, it received partial credit for its strong cooperation with the Department’s investigation and the ongoing remediation of its AML program. TD Bank did not receive full credit for its cooperation because it failed to timely escalate relevant AML concerns to the Department during the investigation. Accordingly, the total criminal penalty reflects a 20% reduction based on the bank’s partial cooperation and remediation.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The Morristown Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and New York City Police Department provided substantial assistance.

    Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea R. Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Pesce and Angelica Sinopole for the District of New Jersey prosecuted the case.

    MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. Since its creation in 2010, the Bank Integrity Unit has prosecuted financial institutions for violations of the BSA, money laundering, sanctions, and other laws, imposing total penalties of over $25 billion.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Hate Crime for Breaking into Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University and Destroying Property

    Source: US State of Vermont

    A New Jersey man pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal hate crime for breaking into the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and destroying property.

    “This defendant is being held accountable for Islamophobic-fueled acts of hate, interfering with the religious freedom of university students and staff during a sacred holiday for those of the Islamic faith,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department stands ready, along with our state and local partners, to hold accountable people who use force, or threats of violence, in order to intimidate people from exercising their religious beliefs. Islamophobic hate crimes have no place in our society today. We will continue to enforce the laws that make it safe for people of all faiths to engage in religious observance, including at educational institutions.”   

    “The free exercise of religion is a fundamental right of all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “Jacob Beacher admitted he intentionally broke into the Center for Islamic Life during the holy Eid-al-Fitr holiday and damaged and destroyed religious artifacts because of the Islamic faith of those associated with the facility. This office will not tolerate the use of force or threats to intimidate people and put them in fear of worshipping as they see fit.”

    “When we learned of this vandalism back in April, we immediately engaged with our law enforcement partners and Rutgers University,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado of the FBI Newark Field Office. “Within days, we tracked down and arrested Beacher. We want our actions and the speed with which we responded to illustrate our commitment and resolve to protect houses of worship in New Jersey. We all have the right to practice whatever religion we choose, without fear of hate marring the physical and spiritual place where we do it.”

    According to court documents, on or about April 10, at approximately 2:39 a.m., during the Eid- al-Fitr holiday, video surveillance footage showed Jacob Beacher, 24, walking toward the rear door of the CILRU. Soon after, at approximately 2:41 a.m., an intruder, later determined to be Beacher, forcibly entered the CILRU through its back door. Specifically, Beacher broke a glass pane on the door, pushed through a piece of plexiglass that was affixed to the interior side of the door and then manually opened the door from the inside by reaching through the broken glass to unlatch a deadbolt lock.

    Once inside the CILRU, Beacher damaged the CILRU’s property, including several religious artifacts, such as Turbah prayer stones and numerous items that contained holy language from the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture. Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and at least one charity box belonging to the CILRU.

    A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date. Beacher faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Newark Field Office, Branchburg Resident Agency, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Rutgers University Police Department-New Brunswick Division and New Jersey Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Levin and R. Joseph Gribko for the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Daniel Grunert of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: TD Bank Pleads Guilty to Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Conspiracy Violations in $1.8B Resolution

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    WASHINGTON — TD Bank N.A. (TDBNA), the 10th largest bank in the United States, and its parent company TD Bank US Holding Company (TDBUSH) (together with TDBNA, TD Bank) pleaded guilty today and agreed to pay over $1.8 billion in penalties to resolve the Justice Department’s investigation into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and money laundering. 

    TDBNA pleaded guilty to conspiring to fail to maintain an anti-money laundering (AML) program that complies with the BSA, fail to file accurate Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs), and launder money. TDBUSH pleaded guilty to causing TDBNA to fail to maintain an AML program that complies with the BSA and to fail to file accurate CTRs.

    TD Bank’s guilty pleas are part of a coordinated resolution with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), as well as the Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    “By making its services convenient for criminals, TD Bank became one,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today, TD Bank also became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to Bank Secrecy Act program failures, and the first US bank in history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. TD Bank chose profits over compliance with the law — a decision that is now costing the bank billions of dollars in penalties. Let me be clear: our investigation continues, and no individual involved in TD Bank’s illegal conduct is off limits.”

    “For years, TD Bank starved its compliance program of the resources needed to obey the law. Today’s historic guilty plea, including the largest penalty ever imposed under the Bank Secrecy Act, offers an unmistakable lesson: crime doesn’t pay — and neither does flouting compliance,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Every bank compliance official in America should be reviewing today’s charges as a case study of what not to do. And every bank CEO and board member should be doing the same. Because if the business case for compliance wasn’t clear before — it should be now.”

    “For nearly a decade, TD Bank failed to update its anti-money laundering compliance program to address known risks. As bank employees acknowledged in internal communications, these failures made the bank an ‘easy target’ for the ‘bad guys.’ These failures also allowed corrupt bank employees to facilitate a criminal network’s laundering of tens of millions of dollars,” said Principal Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “U.S. financial institutions are the first line of defense against money laundering and illicit finance. When they participate in crime rather than prevent it, we will not hesitate to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” 

    “TD Bank prioritized growth and convenience over following its legal obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey. “As a result of staggering and pervasive failures in oversight, it willfully failed to monitor trillions of dollars of transactions – including those involving ACH transactions, checks, high-risk countries, and peer-to-peer transactions – which allowed hundreds of millions of dollars from money laundering networks to flow through the bank, including for international drug traffickers. The bank was aware of these risks and failed to take steps to protect against them, including for two networks prosecuted in New Jersey and elsewhere – one that dumped piles of cash on the bank’s counters and another that allegedly withdrew amounts from ATMs 40 to 50 times higher than the daily limit for personal accounts.”

    According to court documents, between January 2014 and October 2023, TD Bank had long-term, pervasive, and systemic deficiencies in its U.S. AML policies, procedures, and controls but failed to take appropriate remedial action. Instead, senior executives at TD Bank enforced a budget mandate, referred to internally as a “flat cost paradigm,” requiring that TD Bank’s budget not increase year-over-year, despite its profits and risk profile increasing significantly over the same period. Although TD Bank maintained elements of an AML program that appeared adequate on paper, fundamental, widespread flaws in its AML program made TD Bank an “easy target” for perpetrators of financial crime.

    Over the last decade, TD Bank’s federal regulators and TD Bank’s own internal audit group repeatedly identified concerns about its transaction monitoring program, a key element of an appropriate AML program necessary to properly detect and report suspicious activities. Nonetheless, from 2014 through 2022, TD Bank’s transaction monitoring program remained effectively static, and did not adapt to address known, glaring deficiencies; emerging money laundering risks; or TD Bank’s new products and services. For years, TD Bank failed to appropriately fund and staff its AML program, opting to postpone and cancel necessary AML projects prioritizing a “flat cost paradigm” and the “customer experience.”

    Throughout this time, TD Bank intentionally did not automatically monitor all domestic automated clearinghouse (ACH) transactions, most check activity, and numerous other transaction types, resulting in 92% of total transaction volume going unmonitored from Jan. 1, 2018, to April 12, 2024. This amounted to approximately $18.3 trillion of transaction activity. TD Bank also added no new transaction monitoring scenarios and made no material changes to existing transaction monitoring scenarios from at least 2014 through late 2022; implemented new products and services, like Zelle, without ensuring appropriate transaction monitoring coverage; failed to meaningfully monitor transactions involving high-risk countries; instructed stores to stop filing internal unusual transaction reports on certain suspicious customers; and permitted more than $5 billion in transactional activity to occur in accounts even after the bank decided to close them.

    TD Bank’s AML failures made it “convenient” for criminals, in the words of its employees. These failures enabled three money laundering networks to collectively transfer more than $670 million through TD Bank accounts between 2019 and 2023. Between January 2018 and February 2021, one money laundering network processed more than $470 million through the bank through large cash deposits into nominee accounts. The operators of this scheme provided employees gift cards worth more than $57,000 to ensure employees would continue to process their transactions. And even though the operators of this scheme were clearly depositing cash well over $10,000 in suspicious transactions, TD Bank employees did not identify the conductor of the transaction in required reports. In a second scheme between March 2021 and March 2023, a high-risk jewelry business moved nearly $120 million through shell accounts before TD Bank reported the activity. In a third scheme, money laundering networks deposited funds in the United States and quickly withdrew those funds using ATMs in Colombia. Five TD Bank employees conspired with this network and issued dozens of ATM cards for the money launderers, ultimately conspiring in the laundering of approximately $39 million. The Justice Department has charged over two dozen individuals across these schemes, including two bank insiders. TD Bank’s plea agreement requires continued cooperation in ongoing investigations of individuals.

    As part of the plea agreement, TD Bank has agreed to forfeit $452,432,302.00 and pay a criminal fine of $1,434,513,478.40, for a total financial penalty of $1,886,945,780.40. TD Bank has also agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor for three years and to remediate and enhance its AML compliance program. TD Bank has separately reached agreements with the FRB, OCC, and FinCEN, and the Justice Department will credit $123.5 million of the forfeiture toward the FRB’s resolution.

    The Justice Department reached its resolution with TD Bank based on a number of factors, including the nature, seriousness, and pervasiveness of the offenses, as a result of which TD Bank became the bank of choice for multiple money laundering organizations and criminal actors and processed hundreds of millions of dollars in money laundering transactions. Although TD Bank did not voluntarily disclose its wrongdoing, it received partial credit for its strong cooperation with the Department’s investigation and the ongoing remediation of its AML program. TD Bank did not receive full credit for its cooperation because it failed to timely escalate relevant AML concerns to the Department during the investigation. Accordingly, the total criminal penalty reflects a 20% reduction based on the bank’s partial cooperation and remediation.

    IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. The Morristown Police Department, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and New York City Police Department provided substantial assistance.

    Trial Attorneys D. Zachary Adams and Chelsea R. Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Pesce and Angelica Sinopole for the District of New Jersey prosecuted the case.

    MLARS’ Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers, and employees, whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system. Since its creation in 2010, the Bank Integrity Unit has prosecuted financial institutions for violations of the BSA, money laundering, sanctions, and other laws, imposing total penalties of over $25 billion.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Whangārei Police deal blow to core group of offenders

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police have made further arrests over a recent spate of offending across the Kaipara and Whangārei regions.

    Four recent arrests will see offenders held to account over the majority of recent aggravated robberies and burglaries at various businesses.

    Combined efforts between frontline staff and the Tactical Crime Unit have resulted in dozens of charges being laid, Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom says.

    “Late on Saturday night, frontline staff stopped a vehicle a Te Kamo petrol station forecourt which was sought in connection with an earlier road rage incident in Auckland.

    “The occupants were arrested without further incident and a firearm was located following a search of the vehicle.”

    A 17-year-old in the vehicle was sought in connection with an aggravated robbery at an Otaika dairy in early July.

    He will face the Whangārei Youth Court for that offence, as well as charges for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

    “The Tactical Crime Unit has also charged him over numerous burglaries and theft of motor vehicles across the region between late June and July,” Inspector Nordstrom says.

    This follows an arrest made by local Dargaville staff days earlier of a prolific offender.

    Inspector Nordstrom says the 44-year-old man is allegedly responsible for some 20 offences across the Dargaville and Whangārei areas over the past month.

    “Our staff located a stolen vehicle travelling near Tangowahine, and later arrested the man.

    “He’s since had an initial appearance in the Whangārei District Court on burglary charges where he allegedly targeted clothing, food and jewellery.”

    Police successfully opposed the man’s bail, and he has been held in custody until next appearance on 21 October.

    “Dargaville staff have been working incredibly hard in investigating these offences, and it was a great result for the community that he is remanded in custody.”

    Late last month Police also caught up with a 15-year-old male who had also committed offending alongside another youth, who was arrested in late August.

    Police colleagues in Hutt Valley spoke with the male, and he has since been referred to Youth Aid over a series of aggravated robberies and burglaries.

    “I acknowledge the dedication of our staff working right across this region, who have diligently been piecing together the offences leading to arrests,” Inspector Nordstrom says.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police catch up with gang members after driving dangerously

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A group of Tribesman gang members face charges after being observed driving dangerous across south Auckland last night.

    Five arrests were made, infringements issued, and six prized motorbikes have been impounded and are now off the road for six months.

    Earlier on Thursday evening, Police observed a group of gang members speeding on State Highway 1 near Pōkeno at around 6pm.

    “They were driving dangerously at high speeds and intimidating over road users with their reckless behaviour,” Counties Manukau Road Policing Manager, Inspector Tony Wakelin, says.

    “The Police Eagle helicopter was deployed and provided commentary to ground units, as the group exited the motorway at East Tāmaki Road.”

    Inspector Wakelin says Police units had gathered to intercept the group and signalled for the riders to stop.

    “Disappointingly the group disregarded this, and they fled from Police towards Ōtara, travelling at well over twice the legal speed limit and through a red light.”

    Eagle followed the group to an address on Berrett Place, before Police entered the address to conduct further enquiries.

    “We were then able to identify some the motorbikes and the alleged riders involved in the earlier offending.”

    As a result, three patched members aged 24, 28 and 38, have been summoned to appear in the Manukau District Court at a later date for failing to stop and dangerous driving.

    Two youths at the address were arrested over breaching of bail conditions and obstructing Police.

    “Further enquiries are continuing to locate the other motorbikes and riders involved,” Inspector Wakelin says.

    “This was great work from Police staff to manage a potentially volatile situation and bring it to a safe and satisfying conclusion.

    “Other road users should not expect to have their safety put at risk as it was last night. The behaviour of these gang members was completely unacceptable.”

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police acknowledge IPCA findings into serious crash – Christchurch

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police acknowledge the findings by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which found that a Christchurch dog handler was justified in signalling a stolen vehicle to stop moments before it was involved in a serious crash.

    The incident occurred in the early hours of 22 October 2022. Three stolen vehicles were travelling in convoy in the CBD area. The police dog handler was looking for them, travelling slowly along Stanmore Road, when one of the stolen cars drove out of a side street without stopping, colliding with the front of the dog van.

    The stolen car continued at speed and the dog handler immediately activated his lights and sirens to signal the vehicle to stop. However, due to the speed and erratic manner of driving, the handler made the quick decision to deactivate his lights and sirens, slow down and pull to the left.

    The stolen vehicle continued at high speed through a red light at the intersection with Gloucester Street, crashing into a vehicle travelling on a green light.

    One of the passengers of the stolen vehicle sustained serious injuries. Thankfully, the driver of the innocent vehicle did not suffer any injuries, and the driver and two other passengers of the offending vehicle were able to get out of the car and walk to the footpath.

    The entire incident from when the dog handler had his vehicle hit to the stolen vehicle crashing lasted just 24 seconds.

    Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill says the officer made the right call to both signal to the vehicle to stop and to then to try and de-escalate the situation.

    “The dog handler made quick decisions based of the circumstances in front of him, all in a period of 24 seconds. That’s how unpredictable and dangerous these types of events can be.

    “It is unfortunate that the driver of this stolen vehicle showed little regard for anyone else, putting the lives of a member of the public, their own passengers and a police officer at risk,” says Superintendent Hill.

    “This is an example of the fast-moving and dynamic situations our officers are placed in every day, and I want to acknowledge this dog handler for his agile and decisive decision making during this incident.”

    Following the incident Police arrested four people aged between 10 and 15, and through Youth Court and Youth Aid, they each faced varying consequences for their actions.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Tours CHRISTUS Health Care Center, Visits Local Officials in Coushatta

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    SHREVEPORT – Yesterday afternoon, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) spoke to the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce, where he spoke about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s (IIJA) impact on their community, and what is being done to help their community.

    “When I was negotiating this bill, it was my hope that our state would benefit as much as possible. It is a pleasure to visit Natchitoches and know that it has received a grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to redo a downtown thoroughfare,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I am working so that every village, town and city benefits.”
    Specifically, the RAISE grant for Natchitoches is worth $17.2 million and was awarded in August of 2022. When completed, the City of Natchitoches says it will revitalize the Texas Street Business Corridor and rehabilitate feeder roads and neighborhood streets. There will also be new pavement, new and widened sidewalks, walking paths, marked bike and pedestrian lanes, and improved lighting.
    As of last fall, money has also been awarded to replace bridges in Natchitoches Parish, as well as provide money to the Natchitoches Regional Airport. Cassidy was welcomed to the Chamber by Ms. Laura Lyles, President and CEO of the Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce.
    “We appreciate Senator Cassidy taking the time to engage with our Chamber membership about legislative priorities and how they impact our region,” said Ms. Lyles. “This kind of open dialogue is crucial as we work together to create opportunities for growth and prosperity in our communities.”

    Later that afternoon, Cassidy visited the CHRISTUS Coushatta Health Care Center, where he held a wide-ranging discussion about the needs of Red River Parish with members of the policy jury, officials at CHRISTUS Coushatta, and the Superintendent of the Red River Parish School District.
    “I did two good things in Red River Parish today,” said Dr. Cassidy. “I met with community leaders and toured Coushatta Hospital. In my meeting, I heard from them about the good things happening in Red River Parish. I got to talk about how legislation I worked on such as the Safer Communities Act can expand access to mental health care services in schools, and how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill can help meet Red River Parish’s needs.”
    Before their meeting, Cassidy toured CHRISTUS Coushatta and learned how they meet their patients’ needs. According to them, they have highly trained health professionals and up-to-date technology, which helps them provide emergency care services, acute inpatient care, laboratory services, mammograms and oncology services, among other programs.
    As a doctor and Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy has been a champion for rural health care and underserved communities. Earlier this Congress, Cassidy introduced the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act to improve rural ambulance services, and the PEERS in Medicare Act, to expand peer mental health counseling in rural areas. He also introduced the CONNECT for Health Act to expand telehealth services through Medicare and make COVID-era telehealth flexibilities permanent. This coupled with the launch of Louisiana’s new $1.35 billion broadband initiative funded by Cassidy’s IIJA will substantially improve telehealth access across the state.
    Among others, Cassidy was thanked for visiting Coushatta by Mr. Brandon Hillman, the administrator for CHRISTUS in Coushatta and a member of the Red River Parish Police Jury.
    “We appreciate Senator Cassidy taking the time to tour CHRISTUS Coushatta and to join leaders in Red River Parish for a roundtable discussion on local issues,” said Mr. Hillman. “We were able to engage in a robust discussion about the ways the Senator can continue to support rural health care in Louisiana, and the many federal resources available to enhance the infrastructure of the parish.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight Charged in $68M Social Adult Day Care and Home Health Care Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    An indictment was unsealed today in Brooklyn, New York, charging eight defendants for their alleged roles in a scheme to defraud Medicaid of approximately $68 million through the operation of two social adult day cares and a home health care financial intermediary that were paying kickbacks and bribes for services that were not provided.

    According to court documents, Zakia Khan, 53, of Brooklyn, and Ahsan Ijaz, 27, of Brooklyn, owned two social adult day cares, Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. (Happy Family) and Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc. (Family Social), and a financial intermediary, Responsible Care Staffing Inc. (Responsible Care), for the New York Medicaid Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Services Program (CDPAP), which permits family members of Medicaid recipients to receive payment for assisting Medicaid recipients with activities of daily living. Beginning in approximately October 2017, in exchange for kickbacks and bribes, marketers Elaine Antao, 45, also known as Aleena, of Brooklyn, Omneah Hamdi, 61, of Brooklyn, and Manal Wasef, 44, of Brooklyn, allegedly referred Medicaid recipients to Happy Family, Family Social, and/or Responsible Care. The marketers in turn allegedly paid kickbacks and bribes to Medicaid recipients for social adult day care and CDPAP services that Happy Family, Family Social, and Responsible Care billed to Medicaid but were not provided or were induced by kickbacks and bribes. Ansir Abassi, 38, also known as Zaib Abassi and Ansir Zaib, of Brooklyn, and Amran Hashmi, 53, of Brooklyn, allegedly managed Happy Family and Family Social and the marketers. To carry out the kickback scheme, Khan, Antao, Ijaz, Abassi, and Hamdi allegedly used business entities to launder the fraud proceeds and generate the cash used to pay kickbacks and bribes. Seema Memon, 30, of Brooklyn, an employee of Happy Family who was previously charged by complaint on July 1, was also indicted.

    “As alleged in the indictment, these defendants orchestrated a years-long scheme to defraud Medicaid of tens of millions of dollars for social adult day care and home care services for seniors that they did not provide,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants allegedly paid cash bribes and kickbacks to recruiters and Medicaid recipients as part of a scheme to enrich themselves at the expense of vital programs for senior citizens. Today’s charges make clear that the Criminal Division will not tolerate schemes that brazenly steal from federal health care programs.”

    “Social adult day care and home health services are meant to help seniors, but as alleged, the defendants allegedly turned their businesses into a brazen cash grab of millions of dollars from the Medicaid program,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “My office is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who plunder taxpayer-funded, federal health care programs dollars while purporting to offer health care services.” 

    “HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations that bribes and kickbacks are paid with Medicaid monies,” said Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Individuals and entities that participate in the federal health care system are required to obey the laws meant to preserve the integrity of program funds and the provision of appropriate, quality services to patients.”

    “The crimes outlined in this indictment took advantage of a network that offers essential health care and other services to those in need,” said Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). “Let it be clear: anyone who attempts to profit by defrauding the system will face consequences, as these schemes drain already limited resources and deprive beneficiaries of crucial funds. I commend our NYPD investigators and federal law enforcement partners for their successful and continued collaboration.”

    “As alleged, the defendants saw nothing beyond the dollar signs associated with their crimes, and in turn defrauded the U.S. government of $68 million in welfare funds meant for one of our country’s most vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York. “Today’s announcement underscores the HSI New York El Dorado Task Force’s unrelenting focus on dismantling and disrupting financial fraud schemes that exploit the American public and hurt our economy.”

    Khan is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, three counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, paying health care kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering, 10 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and paying health care kickbacks, and five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks.

    Abassi, Antao, Hamdi, and Ijaz are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and money laundering, 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks.

    Hashmi is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, three counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and paying health care kickbacks. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and paying health care kickbacks, and five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks.

    Memon is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and paying health care kickbacks. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and paying health care kickbacks and five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks.

    Wasef is charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay and receive health care kickbacks.

    HHS-OIG, NYPD, and HSI are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanisha R. Payne for the Eastern District of New York is assisting with forfeiture matters.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at http://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: On 10.10.2024, the deposit auction of JSC “SME Corporation” will take place

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    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/n73850

    Category24-7, MIL-AXIS, Moscow, Moskov Stotsk Exchange, Russians Savings, Russian Federation, Russians Language, Russian economy

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    Parameters
    Date of the deposit auction 10/10/2024
    Placement currency RUB
    Maximum amount of funds placed (in placement currency) 700,000,000.00
    Placement period, days 37
    Date of deposit 10/14/2024
    Refund date 11/20/2024
    Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum 18.00
    Conditions of imprisonment, urgent or special Urgent
    Minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in placement currency) 700,000,000.00
    Maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1
    Auction form, open or closed Open
    Basis of the Agreement General Agreement
     
    Schedule (Moscow time)
    Preliminary applications from 10:30 to 10:40
    Applications in competition mode from 10:40 to 10:50
    Setting a cut-off percentage or declaring the auction invalid until 11:30
       
    Additional terms  

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police lay charges over brazen theft at retailer

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have swooped in on offenders allegedly trying to sell clothing stolen from a west Auckland retailer yesterday.

    At around 4.30pm, four masked offenders entered a store in Westgate, stealing jackets from the display racks.

    Waitematā West Area Commander, Inspector Jason Edwards, says the offenders had arrived in a stolen vehicle before entering the shop.

    “The group loaded the stolen items into the car, before fleeing the area,” he says.

    “Some of the clothing they had stolen had been dropped outside the store and was returned by members of the public.”

    No staff inside the store were injured.

    Inspector Edwards says Police arrived in the area, and eventually located the stolen vehicle abandoned in Massey.

    “Thanks to vigilant members of the public, they saw the group getting into another vehicle and contacted Police.”

    Further enquiries led Police to a Massey address last night, with the Police Eagle helicopter witnessing suspicious activity at an address of interest.

    “Our staff approached the address on Woodside Road, and soon carried out a search of the address,” Inspector Edwards says.

    “Two males were located inside the house and were arrested, with the clothing items that had been stolen.”

    Two men aged 20 and 17 are scheduled to appear in the Waitākere District and Youth Courts.

    Inspector Edwards says enquiries are ongoing and further charges cannot be ruled out including for anyone who may have bought any stolen clothing.

    “This offending impacts our retailers, the wider community, and hardworking people who are just doing their job.

    “It is a great outcome to make arrests so quickly over this matter, and Police acknowledge members of the public for quickly reporting suspicious activity.”

    ENDS.

    Tony Wright/NZ Police
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road closed, SH1, Main South Road, Selwyn

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway One, Main South Road is closed following a serious crash this morning.

    Police are in attendance of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Breadings Road and Main South Road, reported at around 10.50am.

    One person is reported to have serious injuries.

    The road is closed, motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

    ENDS
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Name release, fatal crash, SH73, Kirwee

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are now in a position to release the names of the two people who died following a crash on West Coast Road, Kirwee on Thursday 3 October 2024.

    They were Anna Brenmuhl, 74 and Francis Brenmuhl, 75 of Kirwee.

    Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with their family at this extremely difficult time.

    The driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision remains in Christchurch Hospital in a stable condition.

    Our investigation into the crash remains ongoing. No charges have been laid at this stage.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 9th, 2024 Heinrich Tours to See Upgraded Equipment for Carlsbad Police Department, Receives Briefing on New Mobile Command Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    PHOTOS

    Heinrich secured nearly $1 million to support a new Mobile Command Center and new radio and communications equipment that will improve law enforcement operations and emergency response in Eddy County

    CARLSBAD, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took a tour with the Carlsbad Police Department to hear how nearly $1 million he secured for a forthcoming, new Mobile Command Center and operational, upgraded radio and communications equipment will improve response times and emergency coordination to help law enforcement agencies in Eddy County keep New Mexicans safe.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) with the Carlsbad Police Department, highlighting planned upgrades to be included in the new Mobile Command Center, and discuss new radio and communications equipment.

    “We need to better equip law enforcement with the tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe, and I’m committed to doing that,” said Heinrich. “Upgraded technology will make a real difference for the Carlsbad Police Department, improving emergency response throughout Eddy County and helping first responders serve the community. It’s delivering investments like these to support our law enforcement officers that make me proud to fight for New Mexico on the Senate Appropriations Committee.”

    During the visit, Heinrich was briefed by the Carlsbad Police Chief Shane Skinner, Carlsbad Mayor Rick Lopez, and Carlsbad Fire Chief Tony Souza on how investments he secured through his seat on the Appropriations Committee for radio and communications equipment — currently being used by first responders and law enforcement — is keeping New Mexicans safe. Heinrich additionally highlighted funding he secured for a new Mobile Command Center.

    Background:

    Heinrich secured nearly $1 million through the Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations process for a new Mobile Command Center and new radio and communications equipment to improve response times and emergency coordination to help first responders in Eddy County keep New Mexicans safe. 

    In addition to this investment, Heinrich secured $1 million in the FY24 appropriations bill to purchase new National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN) ballistics testing machines for law enforcement agencies to use in Las Cruces, Farmington, Gallup, and Roswell. These machines will help law enforcement agencies quickly and effectively identify, solve, and prosecute crimes involving firearms. 

    Prior to this investment, there were only three NIBIN machines in all of New Mexico: two in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe. The Roswell NIBIN machine will create a much closer option for law enforcement agencies in southeastern New Mexico. The intelligence gathered by all of the new NIBIN machines will go to the New Mexico Attorney General’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center where dedicated and trained analysts will use the information to trace and network firearms used in crimes across the state. The Center will then be able to feed that information back to law enforcement agencies to improve identification of suspects and support successful prosecutions.

    For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders across New Mexico, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Senate Unanimously Passes Peters-Backed Bipartisan Resolution to Commemorate National Community Policing Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 10.09.2024
    National Community Policing Week is Recognized October 6th through 12th

    WASHINGTON, DC – A bipartisan resolution cosponsored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) to commemorate National Community Policing Week has unanimously passed in the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan resolution recognizes the service and sacrifice of the law enforcement community and underscores the importance of community policing. Additionally, the resolution encourages civilians, law enforcement agencies and public servants to work together to find solutions to improve public safety and strengthen community relationships. Full text of the bipartisan resolution is available here.
    “Building trust between residents and local law enforcement is key to the safety of our communities,” said Senator Peters. “I am proud to have helped lead this bipartisan resolution to commemorate National Community Policing Week and recognize the important work being done to strengthen our neighborhoods and keep people safe.”
    Peters has consistently worked to enhance public safety by supporting the brave men and women who sacrifice their own lives protecting our communities. Last year, the Senate passed Peters’ Strong Communities Act, which aims to strengthen relationships between law enforcement officers and their communities by providing recruits with federal grants to attend school or academy if they agree to serve in a law enforcement agency in their respective communities. In 2023, the Senate also passed bipartisan legislation introduced by Peters to reauthorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods program – a nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Suspect arrested after break-in at Gulfview Heights

    Source: South Australia Police

    One suspect has been arrested following investigations into an incident at Gulfview Heights overnight.

    About 3.45am on Wednesday 9 October, police were called to a home on Nelson Road after reports that a group of armed males forced entry into the property and stabbed two occupants.

    The group left the scene in a vehicle which was last seen turning on Yulinda Terrace.

    A 53-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy were both taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A third person was also taken to hospital with minor injuries after being assaulted.

    Following investigations by Operation Meld and Northern District CIB detectives, a 16-year-old boy from Pennington was arrested this afternoon.

    He was charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass and cause serious harm.  He was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court tomorrow.

    Investigations are continuing.  Police do not believe this to be a random incident.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.

    CO2400040844

    MIL OSI News –