ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Ryan M. Newman, 34, of Corning, NY, who was convicted of production of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 420 months in prison and 15 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that Newman was convicted of child pornography crimes by New York State in 2012, sentenced to serve a local jail term and 10 years’ probation, and required to register as a Level 3 Sex Offender, which is someone considered to be at high risk of re-offending and a threat to public safety.
In January 2021, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a report from Snapchat that a user had uploaded a video of child pornography. NCMEC sent the tip to the New York State Police, who executed a search warrant on Newman’s person and residence in 2022. The search determined that Newman uploaded the child pornography video to Snapchat and possessed other child pornography on his electronic devices. Newman remained out of custody following the 2022 search warrant by the State Police. In April 2024, the FBI Corning received a tip that pornography involving a child in the Corning area, was distributed to an undercover agent in Illinois. Subsequent investigation determined that Newman sexually abused the child and produced the child pornography. Newman was taken into custody by the FBI and Corning Police.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Corning Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, and the Corning Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kenzie Spaulding.
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Johnny B. Mays aka Blaze, 40, of Rochester and Jamestown, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, one kilogram or more heroin, 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between 2018, and May 26, 2022, Mays conspired with Joseph S. Zaso, co-defendant Quentin L. Yancey, and others, to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Rochester area. Joseph Zaso was previously charged and convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Quentin Yancey.
Mays was arraigned before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Roemer and detained.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Richard Bradley, age 36, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to 14 months in prison following his conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Bradley admitted that, on September 9, 2024, he possessed a loaded assault rifle in his vehicle, which was parked at a gas station in East Syracuse. Bradley inadvertently fired the rifle several times, but did not strike anyone. As a result of his prior felony conviction for criminal mischief, Bradley could not lawfully possess a firearm.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Senior U.S. District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also imposed a three-year term of supervised release to begin following the term of imprisonment and ordered Bradley to forfeit the rifle he possessed.
U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “When Bradley fired the rifle in the parking lot, he put the lives of everyone at that gas station in danger. Thanks to the quick thinking of the gas station employees and the fast response by law enforcement, no one was harmed.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Miller said, “This case is a powerful reminder of the danger posed when illegal firearms end up in the hands of those who are prohibited from possessing them. We thank our partners at the Manlius Police Department, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York for their work in holding this individual accountable. This shows the impact of Project Safe Neighborhoods and our collective commitment to reducing violent crime.”
ATF and the Manlius Police Department investigated the case with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Three offenders will appear in court over an aggravated robbery at a Pukekohe jewellery store last Friday.
Counties Manukau Police have been investigating after a group allegedly entered the Michael Hill Jewellers King Street branch at around 5.45pm on 6 June.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau CIB, says a vehicle of interest was identified at a Henderson petrol station at around midnight last night.
“West Auckland police responded quickly to Lincoln Road and with the assistance of the Police Eagle helicopter stopped the vehicle,” she says.
“Three occupants of the vehicle aged between 15 and 20 were arrested.”
Detective Inspector Bright acknowledges the careful coordination of all Police staff involved in last night’s operation.
“We’re incredibly pleased with the progress made by the enquiry team over the past six days.
“Police take this sort of aggravated offending seriously and work to hold offenders to account as swiftly as possible.”
Police acknowledge the community for information provided to the enquiry team in the past week.
Those arrested, aged 15, 17 and 20, will appear in the Manukau Youth Court today, charged with aggravated robbery and unlawful takes motor vehicle.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The NT Police Force has charged a 38-year-old male following the seizure of 241.55 kilograms of Kava in Ramingining on Thursday, 29 May 2025.
Police conducted a traffic apprehension on a vehicle along the Ramingining goat track in which it initially stopped before taking off as the officers exited the police vehicle. Approximately 20 minutes later, the police observed the same vehicle crashed on the side of the road, abandoned.
Upon approaching the vehicle, kava was seen in the backseat, therefore police executed a lawful search resulting in the seizure of 241.55 kilograms of kava.
The male was located and subsequently arrested at Darwin airport, while attempting to flee interstate.
He was charged with Possess commercial quantity kava Supply commercial quantity kava and Enter on Aboriginal Land without Permit. He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 18 June 2025.
Investigations remain ongoing.
Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs into remote communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
New Zealand has extended its commitment the Operation Gallant Phoenix multinational intelligence mission in Jordan, the Government announced today.
The deployment of up to 10 New Zealand Defence Force and Police personnel has been extended for two years until June 2027.
“This operation is essential to our commitment to a safe and secure New Zealand,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.
“Our personnel are working with counterparts from other countries to help us understand and respond to current, evolving and future terrorist and violent extremist threats to New Zealanders at home and abroad.”
Defence Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand brings valuable resources and expertise to this global effort to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
“In return, New Zealand is able to enhance relationships with a wide range of countries and expand our information networks.”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell says the deployment provides our personnel with specialised experience working with overseas partners.
“Italso provides Police and other agencies with valuable insights and information to help keep New Zealanders safe.”
Operation Gallant Phoenix was established in 2014 and is a mission where partners collect and share information about potential and existing terrorist threats, irrespective of threat ideology. It comprises a large number of countries and agencies, including law enforcement, military and civilian personnel.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
More protests against immigration enforcement raids are planned across the United States this week, after many of the kind have sprung up nationwide from Los Angeles to Seattle, Austin, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., with some of them peaceful while others resulting in clashes with law enforcement.
Activists are planning more and even larger demonstrations in the coming days, with “No Kings” events across the country on Saturday to coincide with U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned military parade through D.C., according to The Associated Press (AP). The Trump administration said it would continue its program of raids and deportations despite the protests.
“Cities across the United States were bracing for a new round of immigration protests on Wednesday after the Los Angeles mayor imposed an overnight curfew downtown and Governor Gavin Newsom of California blamed President Trump for unrest that began with deportation raids last week,” reported The New York Times.
In San Antonio, protests against immigration raids are planned Wednesday night and on Saturday, but Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that city officials did not ask for the Texas National Guard to be deployed in advance. Governor Greg Abbott’s office said that National Guard troops were “on standby” in areas where demonstrations are planned. That came after police in Austin used chemical irritants to disperse several hundred demonstrators on Monday near the state Capitol.
In Los Angeles, a sixth day of protests is planned downtown and near federal buildings. In Eugene, Oregon, several groups including the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which calls for the end of capitalism, said they planned to hold a solidarity protest in the city. In Mission Viejo, California, a protest is planned for Orange County, according to the local branch of the 50501 Movement, which was formed against the Trump administration’s “anti-democratic” actions.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, hundreds of people are expected to gather in downtown Raleigh Wednesday evening, spurred in part by anger over a state immigration bill. In Seattle, the Party for Socialism and Liberation is among the groups behind a planned “ICE Out” protest in the city against ICE. In St. Louis, Missouri, a “NO ICE” protest is planned for this week, according to U.S. media reports.
Meanwhile, Trump left open the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which authorizes the president to deploy military forces inside the United States to suppress rebellion or domestic violence or to enforce the law in certain situations. “It’s one of the most extreme emergency powers available to a U.S. president,” noted AP.
Tuesday night, Los Angeles police swiftly enforced a downtown curfew, making arrests moments after it took effect, while deploying officers on horseback and using crowd control projectiles to break up a group of hundreds of demonstrators. Immigration raids across Southern California are rattling the area’s immigrant communities, even among those in the country legally. More than 100 people have been detained since Friday.
New York City police detained more than 80 people during protests around Lower Manhattan’s Foley Square against federal immigration enforcement actions Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the vast majority of demonstrators were peaceful. She blamed smaller groups for causing disorder that required police intervention.
By Tuesday night, demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown have intensified and spread far beyond Los Angeles, with thousands of people gathering in at least two dozen U.S. cities, holding banners and chanting slogans like “Stop the Deportation Now” and “Abolish ICE.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Police are calling for information after three separate incidents occurred in Wadeye on Sunday.
Around 3:50pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a male entered the Wadeye clinic yard and allegedly used a rock to smash the windows and side mirrors to two government vehicles before fleeing fled the scene.
The incident resulted in approximately $20,000 worth of damage.
Police attended and reviewed CCTV footage and have since identified a person of interest.
Later in a separate incident, around 10:30pm, police observed a suspicious vehicle driving through Wadeye community. The vehicle began flashing its lights at police and upon police approach the vehicle drove into nearby bushland.
A short time later, police attempted a traffic apprehension; however, the vehicle failed to stop, and a short pursuit ensued. The offending vehicle then turned around and drove back in the direction of police, swerving toward their vehicle. Police withdrew from the area and returned to the police compound.
Later, in a third incident, around 12:40am, one male attended the police compound and began throwing projectiles in the direction of the officers. Officers deployed OC spray before the male fled the scene.
The first and third incident are believed to be linked; however, investigations are ongoing to identify those involved in the traffic incident.
Police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444 or you can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Philadelphia, PA — On June 11th, members of the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force arrested Jamal Burkett, 53, in the 7900 block of Lindbergh Boulevard in Philadelphia. In 2023, Burkett was sentenced to 192 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to assault on a federal officer and weapons possession. The charges stemmed from Burkett discharging a firearm multiple times at a Philadelphia Police Officer who was assigned to a federal task force. Burkett was mistakenly released on May 14th from the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility after local charges were satisfied. An audit conducted by the Marshal Service on June 10th alerted to Burkett’s release and a warrant was immediately issued by the United States District Court for failure to surrender for an imposed federal sentence.
This morning, at approximately 7:00 a.m., members of the fugitive task force surrounded a family members apartment in southwest Philadelphia where they believed Burkett was hiding. Burkett was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Federal Detention Center.
Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy for the fugitive task force stated, “Anyone who discharges a firearm at police officers must pay for their actions. Capturing Burkett in less than 24 hours after being notified of his release is truly exceptional.”
The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives. Membership agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole Officers, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General Agents, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Chester Police Department, Bucks County Sheriffs, and Delaware County Sheriffs.
SAN ANTONIO – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio today to 37 months in prison for his role in cocaine trafficking and human smuggling conspiracies. He was also ordered for forfeit over $600,000 in proceeds from his criminal activity.
According to court documents, Jorge Armando Morado, 44, helped his son, Jorge Armando Morado Moreno, 25, complete a sale of cocaine to an undercover Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy on July 16, 2023. During that sale, Morado arranged for his son to sell a kilogram of cocaine to that undercover deputy at a future date, and then drove in tandem with his son to make that sale on July 25, 2023. Morado and his son were both encountered by law enforcement while driving to make that sale, and approximately one kilogram of cocaine was found in the son’s vehicle.
The investigation led to search warrants for Morado’s and Moreno’s respective residences. During the search of Morado’s residence, approximately $601,302 in cash was found in a cooler located in his master bedroom closet, along with an additional $3,000, a firearm, and a suspected drug ledger in his dresser drawer. Another bedroom—an empty room with only a mattress on the floor—housed five illegal aliens. A bucket full of urine was found in an adjacent bedroom. Moreno’s cell phone was also searched and contained numerous conversations between Morado and Moreno pertaining to their cocaine trafficking and harboring of illegal aliens at Morado’s house.
Morado pleaded guilty on June 26, 2024, to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens. He’s sentenced to 37 months in prison for each count, running concurrent to one another, and in addition to his four months spent in state custody on related charges. Moreno pleaded guilty to the same two conspiracy charges on July 11, 2024, and was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison on Jan. 29.
“This case serves as a stark reminder that alien smuggling is not a victimless crime, but rather a for-profit enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Simmons for the Western District of Texas. “Alien smugglers only seek to enrich themselves, in this case to the tune of over $600,000 in proceeds from these criminal activities.”
The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock prosecuted the case.
JACKSON, MS– A Jackson, MS man pleaded guilty on June 4, 2025, to possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents and statements made in open court, Atrell Galloway, Jr., 21, pleaded guilty after being indicted by a federal grand jury for possession of a machinegun. On June 9, 2024, Officers with the Capitol Police Department performed a traffic stop on a vehicle on Lynch Street in Jackson after observing a traffic violation. After approaching the vehicle and seeing narcotics in plain view, a probable cause search of the vehicle was performed. During the search, Officers discovered a Glock Model 45 handgun with an attached machinegun conversion device or “switch.” Capitol Police seized the firearm and then referred the matter to the ATF for further investigation. After obtaining a search warrant, the ATF discovered photographs of the weapon on Galloway’s cell phone with the serial number displayed. Text messages were also discovered on the Defendant’s phone concerning the compatibility of “switches” with certain Glock handguns. During the change of plea hearing, Galloway admitted to purchasing ten machinegun conversion devices online and installing the conversion device on the recovered handgun himself.
Galloway is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4, 2025. Galloway faces a maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson made the announcement.
The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Capitol Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Goff is prosecuting the case.
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARTIN DELGADO, 30, of Newington, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing narcotics.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 13, 2024, members of the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force conducted a court-authorized search of Delgado’s residence on Main Street in Newington and seized approximately 2,500 wax paper sleeves containing fentanyl, approximately 160 grams of loose fentanyl, approximately 21 grams of cocaine, narcotics packaging materials, and a loaded 9mm gun magazine. Delgado, who fled on foot when officers arrived at his residence, was apprehended a short time later in West Hartford. Investigators also located and seized a loaded 9mm handgun near Delgado’s residence that he discarded as he fled, and additional quantities of fentanyl and cocaine from Delgado’s vehicle.
The firearm had been reported stolen in 2019.
Delgado was charged with state offenses and released on bond.
Delgado has been detained since his federal arrest on August 2, 2024. On February 11, 2025, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force, the Connecticut State Police, and the West Hartford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Reed Durham through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.
Baltimore, Maryland – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed an indictment charging James Carroll Erny Jr., 54, of Glen Arm, Maryland, with paying more than $10,000 in bribes to Joseph Gillespie, a former Baltimore City Department of Finance, Revenue Collections, employee.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.
As alleged in the indictment, from about August 2021 through September 2023, Erny paid Gillespie at least $10,000 in bribes in exchange for Gillespie extinguishing various financial obligations he owed to Baltimore City. The debt was in connection with various properties Erny owned, including unpaid water bills.
On February 20, 2025, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Gillespie to four years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, in connection with his role in the bribery scheme, along with an unrelated fraud scheme. According to his plea agreement, beginning in 2016, and continuing into 2023, Gillespie engaged in a bribery scheme. Through the scheme, Gillespie abused his position of trust as a public official within the Baltimore City Department of Finance for personal gain.
As an employee of the Department of Finance’s Revenue Collections, Gillespie routinely accepted bribes from various property owners in Baltimore City. These property owners were subject to financial obligations with Baltimore City, and if these debts remained unpaid, the property became subject to a tax sale.
Gillespie accepted these bribes — typically 10-15 percent of the amount owed to the City — in exchange for removing or extinguishing these financial obligations, including for citations, tax, and water obligations, which caused losses for the City. He also accepted bribes in exchange for delaying or postponing due dates — without approval or permission from other City officials — for payments owed to the City. By adjusting payment due dates, this prevented the City from placing liens on these properties.
Once Gillespie received bribe payments, he then extinguished the financial obligation owed by marking it as paid in the City’s online records. After removing the obligation, Gillespie sometimes sent a photograph of a cashier slip reflecting that the City received payment toward the financial obligation when, in fact, no such payment was made.
The bribery scheme continued for years, and Gillespie admitted that he enlisted the help of multiple co-conspirators. According to the plea agreement, Gillespie received more than $250,000 in connection with the bribery scheme and caused losses to the City in excess of $1.25 million.
Erny faces one charge of Bribery in connection with his role in the bribery scheme. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation and the Baltimore County Police Department for its valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul A. Riley and Evelyn L. Cusson who are prosecuting the federal case.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)
Originally Published in Fox News on June 10, 2025.
The majority of House Democrats voted in favor of allowing non-citizens to participate in Washington, D.C. elections on Tuesday.
The House of Representatives passed a bill led by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, to prohibit non-U.S. citizens from voting in elections in the nation’s capital.
It passed 266 to 148, with 56 Democrats joining Republicans in passing the measure. One Democrat voted “present,” while 148 voted against the bill.
“I believe strongly in not having federal overreach, but we have jurisdiction, Congress has jurisdiction over Washington, District of Columbia…and we don’t like to utilize our jurisdiction and our authority, but in this case, they’ve gone too far,” Pfluger told Fox News Digital in an interview before the vote.
D.C.’s progressive city council passed the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act in 2022, granting non-U.S. citizens the ability to vote in local elections if they’ve lived in the district for at least 30 days.
Noncitizens can also hold local elected office in the D.C. government.
The local measure has been a frequent target of GOP attacks, with Republican national security hawks raising alarms about the possibility of hostile foreign agents participating in D.C. elections.
But progressive Democrats like Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., who spoke out against the bill on Tuesday afternoon, have dismissed that as an implausible scenario.
“Republicans claim that Congress has a constitutional duty to legislate on local D.C. matters, but this is historically and legally incorrect. Republicans legislate on local D.C. matters only when they think they can score political points, such as by demonizing immigrants,” Frost said during debate on the House floor.
“They only bring it up to the floor when they think they can score political points, taking away the democratic rights of people here in D.C. and home rule.”
Frost also argued that it was “highly unlikely” foreign officials would vote in those elections, claiming they would have to “renounce their right to vote in their home country” and because “D.C. has no authority in federal matters.”
But Pfluger, who spoke with Fox News Digital before the vote, was optimistic that it would get at least some Democratic support.
He noted that 52 Democrats voted for the bill when it passed the House in the previous Congress. It was never taken up in the formerly Democrat-controlled Senate, however.
“It’s hard to go back to your district as a Democrat and say, yeah, I want foreign agents to be able to vote in our elections – ‘Oh yeah, it’s not federal elections,’ some may say. But it has an impact on the way the city is run,” Pfluger said.
“This could be Russian embassy personnel, they could be Chinese embassy personnel – a number of folks. It’s just wrong. It goes against the fabric of our society,” he added.
Another bill receiving a vote on Tuesday is legislation that would grant D.C. police the ability to negotiate punishments via collective bargaining, and would help shield the capital’s police force from at least some liability by installing a statute of limitations against the Metropolitan Police Department.
That legislation was introduced by New York Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Benjamin Gonzalez O’Brien, Professor of Political Science, San Diego State University
While sanctuary policies for immigrants have grown in the U.S. since the 1980s, the Trump administration is the first to challenge them. Marcos Silva/iStock/Getty Images Plus
The Trump administration plans to send special response teams of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to conduct immigration raids in four cities run by Democratic mayors, NBC news reported on June 11, 2025, citing two unnamed sources familiar with the planning process.
NBC reports that New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle are four of the five places that would be affected by this deployment, as well as northern Virginia. These cities are also among the other major metropolitan hubs – as well as more than 200 small towns and counties and a dozen states – that over the past 40 years have adopted what are often known as sanctuary policies.
Special response teams are tactical units under ICE that are trained to respond to extreme situations such as drug and arms smugglers. These units have been used to respond to recent immigration protests in Los Angeles in response to ICE raids. President Donald Trump has also deployed 4,000 National Guard troops, as well as about 700 Marines, to quell protests in that city. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have said the presence of troops is exacerbating the situation and are challenging the legality of these deployments in court.
While sanctuary policies often prohibit local participation in immigration enforcement or cooperation with ICE, if large-scale raids take place in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle, their designation as sanctuary cities offers little protection to immigrants living without legal authorization from deportation.
There is not a single definition of a sanctuary policy. But it often involves local authorities not asking about a resident’s immigration status, or not sharing that personal information with federal immigration authorities.
So when a San Francisco police officer pulls someone over for a traffic violation, the officer will not ask if the person is living in the country legally.
American presidents, from Ronald Reagan to Joe Biden, have chosen to leave sanctuary policies largely unchallenged since different places first adopted them in the 1970s. This changed in 2017, when President Donald Trump first tried to cut federal funding to sanctuary places, claiming that their policies “willfully violate Federal law.” Legal challenges during his first term stopped him from actually withholding the money.
At the start of his second term, Trump signed two executive orders in January and April 2025 which again state that his administration will withhold federal money from areas with sanctuary policies.
“Working on papers to withhold all Federal Funding for any City or State that allows these Death Traps to exist!!!” Trump said, according to an April White House statement. This statement was immediately followed by his April executive order.
These two executive orders task the attorney general and secretary of homeland security with publishing a list of all sanctuary places and notifying local and state officials of “non-compliance, providing an opportunity to correct it.” Those that do not comply with federal law, according to the orders, may lose federal funding.
San Francisco and 14 other sanctuary cities, including New Haven, Connecticut, and Portland, Oregon, sued the Trump administration in February on the grounds that it was illegally trying to coerce cities to comply with its policies. A U.S. district court judge in California issued an injunction on April 24preventing the administration – at least for the time being – from cutting funding from places with sanctuary policies.
However, as researchers who have studied sanctuary policies for over a decade, we know that Trump’s claim that sanctuary policies violate federal immigration law is not correct.
It’s true that the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over immigration. Yet there is no federal requirement that state or local governments participate or cooperate in federal immigration enforcement, which would require an act of Congress.
In 1979, the Los Angeles Police Department was the first to announce a prohibition on local officials asking about a resident’s immigration status.
However, it was not until the 1980s that the sanctuary movement took off, when hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Nicaraguans fled civil war and violence in their home countries and migrated to the U.S. This prompted a number of cities to declare solidarity with the faith-based sanctuary movement that offered refuge to Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Nicaraguan asylum seekers facing deportation.
In 1985, Berkeley, Calif., and San Francisco pledged that city officials, including police officers, would not report Central Americans to immigration authorities as long as they were law abiding.
“We are not asking anyone to do anything illegal,” Nancy Walker, a supervisor for San Francisco, said in 1985, according to The New York Times. “We have got to extend our hand to these people. If these people go home, they die. They are asking us to let them stay.”
Today, there are hundreds of sanctuary cities, towns, counties and states across the country that all have a variation of policies that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Sometimes – but not always – places with sanctuary policies bar local law enforcement agencies from working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the country’s main immigration enforcement agency.
A large part of ICE’s work is identifying, arresting and deporting immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. In order to carry out this work, ICE issues what is known as “detainer requests” to local law enforcement authorities. A detainer request asks local law enforcement to hold a specific arrested person already being held by police until that person can be transferred to ICE, which can then take steps to deport them.
While places without sanctuary policies tend to comply with these requests, some sanctuary jurisdictions, like the state of California, only do so in the cases of particular violent criminal offenses.
Yet local officials in sanctuary places cannot legally block ICE from arresting local residents who are living in the country illegally, or from carrying out any other parts of its work.
However, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2018 case involving San Francisco and Santa Clara County, California, that the president could not refuse to “disperse the federal grants in question without congressional authorization.”
These cases were in the process of being appealed to the Supreme Court when the Department of Justice, under Biden, asked that they be dismissed.
Other Supreme Court rulings also suggest that the Trump administration’s claim that it can withhold federal funding from sanctuary places rests on shaky legal ground.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1992 and again in 1997 that the federal government could not coerce state or local governments to use their resources to enforce a federal regulatory program, or compel them to enact or administer a federal regulatory program.
Under pressure
The first Trump administration was not generally successful, with the exception of the split over the Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grant Program, at stripping funding from sanctuary places. But cutting federal funding – even if it happens temporarily – can be economically damaging to cities and counties while they challenge the decision in court.
Local officials also face other kinds of political pressure to comply with the Trump administration’s demands.
A legal group founded by Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff in the Trump administration, for example, sent letters to dozens of local officials in January threatening criminal prosecution for their sanctuary policies.
Michelle Wu, the mayor of Boston, a sanctuary city, testifies during a House committee hearing on sanctuary city mayors on March 5, 2025, in Washington. Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images
The real effects of sanctuary policies
One part of Trump’s argument against sanctuary policies is that places with these policies have more crime than those that do not.
But there is no established relationship between sanctuary status and crime rates.
There is, however, evidence that when local law enforcement and ICE work together, it reduces the likelihood of immigrant and Latino communities to report crimes, likely for fear of being arrested by federal immigration authorities.
Sanctuary policies are certainly worthy of debate, but this requires an accurate representation of what they are, what they do, and the effects they have.
This is an updated version of a story originally published on May 28, 2025.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
I’m pleased to announce that I have appointed UConn Police Chief Gene Labonte to the position of Associate Vice President for University Safety following a national search. Gene has served as our Chief of Police since July 2023, and going forward he will serve as both police chief and AVP.
At UConn, those who have had the opportunity to work with Chief Labonte know that his service to the university in this critical role is defined by integrity, professionalism, and outstanding leadership.
As chief, he brings a thoughtful, well-informed approach to his work reflecting his decades-long experience in law enforcement matched with a thorough understanding of the complexities and nuances involved in overseeing a police department at a large public research university with campuses throughout the state.
Chief Gene Labonte (contributed photo).
One of the many reasons he was an exceptional candidate for AVP is because of that understanding, which allows him to see the university not through the lens of law enforcement alone, but also through the larger and more expansive lens of “public safety” more generally, a strength that is essential to being effective in both of these positions.
In addition, Chief Labonte’s open, transparent style of communication, collegiality, and responsiveness are highly valued by his colleagues throughout the institution.
Prior to his arrival at UConn, Chief Labonte served as Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Risk Management/Chief of Police and Salem State University in Salem, Mass., which is part of the commonwealth’s public university system. He began his law enforcement career in 1990 with the Connecticut State Police, serving until 2012 and departing at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He succeeds Hans Rhynhart, who is retiring after more than three decades at UConn that included rising from a police officer to Chief of Police and later AVP for University Safety. His last day at UConn is June 30.
I would like to thank the search committee, which was chaired by Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Jeffrey Hines. It also included Mansfield Town Manager Ryan Aylesworth, Assistant Vice President for Student Life Cyndi Costanzo, Deputy General Counsel Nathan LaVallee, UConn Health Chief of Staff Andrea Keilty, interim Vice President for Communications Mike Kirk, African American Cultural Center Director Alicia McKenzie, Hartford Campus Dean Mark Overmyer-Velazquez, Vice President for Quality and Patient Care Services/Chief Nursing Officer/JDH Chief Operating Officer Caryl Ryan, Vice Provost Dan Schwartz, and Director of Business Services for University Safety Darshana Sonpal.
Thanks also to Maryann Markowski from the President’s Office and Michelle Fournier from Human Resources for supporting the search committee and search process.
Please join me in congratulating and thanking Chief Labonte for his willingness to step into this additional role and in offering thanks, gratitude, and our very best wishes to Hans for his long and dedicated service to UConn.
TUCSON, Ariz. – Carlos Maximilliano Galvan, 44, of Maricopa, Arizona, was sentenced on June 4, 2025, by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 44 years in prison. Galvan previously pleaded guilty to one count of Second-Degree Murder.
On August 27, 2020, Tohono O’odham Police Officer Bryan Brown responded to a 911 call from the Desert Diamond Casino in Why, Arizona, about an individual who had crashed his vehicle into a handicapped parking sign outside of the casino. The individual then reportedly assaulted two casino employees by striking the truck they were sitting in with his vehicle. When Officer Brown arrived at the scene, he got out of his police cruiser and was confronted by Galvan, who approached him aggressively while brandishing a broken bottle. As Officer Brown stepped around his vehicle to avoid Galvan, Galvan jumped into the police cruiser and drove toward Officer Brown and a United States Border Patrol Agent who had arrived at the scene to assist. The Border Patrol Agent was able to move out of the way, but Galvan struck Officer Brown with the police cruiser, killing him.
While fleeing from the scene of the murder, Galvan drove the police cruiser across the center lane of the highway and intentionally hit the vehicles of two Border Patrol Agents who were on their way to the scene to assist law enforcement.
“The FBI will not waiver in our commitment to ensure those who commit acts of violence against members of law enforcement will be held accountable and punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said FBI Phoenix Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarod Brown. “Today is for Officer Bryan Brown, and his loved ones and colleagues. We hope this sentence brings a degree of comfort to Officer Brown’s family and colleagues.”
“The defendant attacked not just Officer Brown, but our entire system of justice,” said United States Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Disrespect for law enforcement escalates, as it did here with a deadly consequence, which is why any assault on a law enforcement officer cannot be tolerated. Our great sorrow goes out to Officer Brown’s family, loved ones, and fellow officers. He demonstrated the ultimate dedication to duty, and we honor him.”
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson Office conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frances Kreamer Hope, Alicia Renee Quezada, and Rui Wang, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-20-01566-TUC-JAS RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-091_Galvan
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZfor the latest news.
The Italian authorities were investigating a criminal group based in southern Sardinia, composed of eight individuals who were importing large quantities of cocaine from the Netherlands. The drugs were loaded into vehicles with hidden compartments at the bottom. After hiding the cocaine, the vehicles were driven to Italy, where the drugs were sold to local traffickers in Sardinia. During the investigation, over 20 kilograms of pure cocaine were seized, and three couriers were arrested.
The cooperation with the Netherlands has started four years ago on the basis of mutual legal assistance on both police and judicial level. It culminated in an action day on 11 June, which took place simultaneously in Italy and the Netherlands. During the action day, two suspects were arrested in Italy and one in the Netherlands. In Italy, EUR 3 million and 90 properties were seized, along with bank accounts and vehicles. In the Netherlands parts of the EUR 600 000 profits of the Dutch suspect were seized.
Eurojust coordinated the international cooperation in the cross-border investigation, ensuring that four European Investigation Orders were executed to gather information and continue the investigation into the criminal network. The Agency supported the action day on 11 June by preparing the European Arrest Warrant executed in the Netherlands.
The following authorities carried out the operation:
Italy: Cagliari Public Prosecutor’s Office – Anti-Mafia District Directorate; Guardia di Finanza di Cagliari – GICO (Organised Crime Investigation Unit – Anti-Drug Section)
Netherlands: Public Prosecutor’s Office Zeeland-West-Brabant; Centre for International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Zeeland-West-Brabant; Police Zeeland-West-Brabant
With support from Eurojust and Europol, Romanian and UK authorities have taken decisive action against a human trafficking network that forced at least 27 young female victims into prostitution. During a coordinated action day, twelve suspects have been identified and forty places were searched, while victims were brought to safety. Eurojust supported the action by setting up and financing a joint investigation team (JIT) in November 2024.
Since 2019, the perpetrators have recruited young female victims from poor backgrounds or from social care centres without relatives, mainly in Bucharest and the Romanian Prahova region. Using the so-called ‘lover boy method’, the perpetrators promised the victims job opportunities in sectors such as catering or tourism, but in reality forced them into prostitution in Romania and the United Kingdom. This often occurred after they were deprived of their identity documents.
The criminal network behind the human trafficking arranged for transport and housing in the UK. According to estimates from the Romanian authorities, they allegedly made profits of up to EUR 5.3 million. The identified perpetrators are suspected of organising a criminal group, engaging in continuous human trafficking, pimping and money laundering.
Eurojust assisted the Romanian and UK authorities in setting up and financing the JIT, as well as organising three coordination meetings to prepare for the joint action in both countries. Experts from Europol’s European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC) provided analytical support and facilitated the exchange of intelligence and operational data between national authorities.
The operations were carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:
Romania: Directorate for the Investigation of Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) – Central Structure; Organised Crime Combatting Brigades of Ploiesti and Pitesti
United Kingdom: Crown Prosecution Service: London Metropolitan Police
Baltimore, Maryland – Today, Brayden Grace, 19, of Columbus, Ohio, pled guilty to conspiracy, cyberstalking, interstate threatening communications, and threats to damage or destroy by means of fire and explosives.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.
According to the guilty plea, Grace helped create an online group known as “Purgatory.” The group used multiple online social-media platforms, including Telegram and Instagram, to coordinate and plan swatting and doxxing activities and to announce and brag about swats that they conducted.
“Grace and his co-conspirators threatened and terrorized others throughout the country, and then bragged about it online. Make no mistake: swatting and doxxing are not pranks—they are dangerous and illegal acts that put lives at risk and drain critical law enforcement resources,” Hayes said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to relentlessly pursuing those who seek to gain notoriety by abusing our emergency services and striking fear in others. Such unlawful actions will not be tolerated.”
“Brayden Grace admitted he engaged in swatting and doxxing to strike out at perceived rivals, gain online notoriety, attempt to make money, and for enjoyment. May his guilty plea make clear that the FBI and our partners take these threats seriously,” Koldjeski said. “Together, we will make sure offenders do not remain anonymous and face justice for their crimes which drain vital public safety resources, cause undue fear, and put innocent lives at risk.”
“Swatting” is a term used to describe or refer to a criminal incident in which an individual contacts emergency services and falsely reports an emergency, often involving an act of violence that reportedly has or will occur at a particular location to elicit an armed law enforcement response to that location. “Doxxing” is a term used to describe the practice of searching for and publishing on the Internet personal, private, or identifying information about an individual with malicious intent, such as providing the information for the purpose of swatting the individual.
From December 10, 2023, through January 18, 2024, Grace and his co-conspirators placed swatting calls to police and other emergency departments. One or more of the conspirators falsely reported an emergency in the form of a violent act at a particular location to cause an armed law enforcement response with the intent to threaten, intimidate, and harass individuals and entities.
Grace and his co-conspirators often used shared scripts to plan and coordinate their conduct and used Voice over Internet Protocol services to obscure their phone numbers and identities.
As part of this scheme, the co-conspirators called the Houston County Sheriff’s Office (Dothan, Alabama). The co-conspirators threatened to burn down part of a residential trailer park and kill any law-enforcement officers who arrived to respond to the threat.
Additionally, as part of the scheme, a Purgatory conspirator called the Newark Delaware Police Department falsely claiming that he heard a man firing shots in a Newark High School hallway. Moments later, a conspirator called the department again, threatening to shoot a specific Newark High School teacher and to kill unnamed students. As a result of this call, which occurred in the middle of the school day, authorities placed the school on lockdown and police officers responded to the scene. Later the same day, Grace agreed to post content from the incident, including images from news coverage of the incident, onto the group’s social media accounts.
Grace also posted the address of the Hollywood Casino in Columbus, Ohio, the non-emergency telephone number for Columbus Police Department, and the name of a specific doxxing victim. Purgatory conspirators called the Columbus Police Department that day and threatened to “start shooting,” “kill everyone here,” and blow up the Hollywood Casino.
Additionally, Purgatory conspirators called the Albany Police Department (Albany, New York), threatening the use of firearms and explosives at the airport. Police units then rushed to respond to the threats. On the same day, Grace bragged on a Purgatory group website about the group threatening the airport.
Grace faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each count of threatening to damage or destroy by fire or explosive and a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison for conspiracy, cyberstalking, and interstate threats.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, at 10 a.m.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Additionally, Ms. Hayes praised the Joint Terrorism Task Force, Columbus; Ohio Police Department; Newark, Delaware Police Department; Lenoir City, Tennessee Police Department; Albany, New York Police Department; Albany County, New York Sheriff’s Office; Fairburn City, Georgia Police Department; Bethel Park, Pennsylvania Police Department; Giles County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office; Blue Springs, Missouri Police Department; Tarboro, North Carolina Police Department; Boston, Massachusetts Police Department; Dodge County, Georgia Sheriff’s Office; Houston County, Alabama Sheriff’s Office; and the FBI’s Mobile, Richmond, Boston, Charlotte, and Cincinnati Field Offices for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert I. Goldaris and Patricia C. McLane who are prosecuting the case.
Led officers on high-speed chase in Cedar Rapids before fleeing on foot and tossing firearm
A felon who possessed a firearm was convicted by a jury today after a three‑day trial in federal court in Cedar Rapids.
Marcus Dejohn Wallace, age 29, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was convicted of one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The verdict was returned this afternoon following about three hours of jury deliberations.
The evidence at trial showed that on September 5, 2024, Wallace led officers on a high-speed car chase through Cedar Rapids before pulling over in a residential neighborhood and running from officers. He was apprehended by a police K-9 and taken into custody. Law enforcement found a loaded firearm within throwing distance of where Wallace was apprehended. The firearm was missing a magazine. That missing magazine was later located in the path where Wallace had run. Wallace has a prior federal conviction for distribution of heroin resulting in serious bodily injury.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Wallace remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Wallace faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Devra Hake, Shawn Wehde, and Dan Tvedt, and was investigated by the Cedar Rapids Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men have been sentenced for their roles in a drug trafficking organization in Monongalia County.
Jason Davis, 35, of Youngstown, Ohio, was sentenced today to 135 months in federal prison. James Peoples, II, 28, of Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, was sentenced to 72 months in prison. According to court documents, Davis and Peoples worked with others to distribute drugs in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zelda Wesley prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
This case was investigated by the Mon Metro Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative. The task force consists of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the West Virginia State Police; the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office; the Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; the Morgantown Police Department; the WVU Police Department; the Granville Police Department; and the Star City Police Department.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
June 11, 2025Baton Rouge, LA, United StatesWorksite Enforcement
On June 11, 2025, HSI Baton Rouge conducted a worksite enforcement operation at nine (9) illicit massage businesses in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana metropolitan area. Agents obtained entry to the premises based on state criminal search warrants for prostitution and pandering. As a result of the operation, ten (10) Chinese-national females were detained by HSI for further identification and removal processing. Interviews are currently being conducted to determine removability. Bulk cash and other evidence was seized during the operation and is actively being counted and analyzed. The Attorney General of Louisiana, Liz Murrill, and the District Attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish, Hillar Moore, participated in the operation and remain on scene at the HSI Baton Rouge command post.
This is a joint investigation between HSI and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office with support from Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Louisiana Attorney General, the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department, the Zachary Police Department, Baton Rouge Fire Department, and the St. George Fire Department.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Appeal for information on missing woman in Tuen Mun Issued at HKT 21:44
Police today (June 11) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Tuen Mun. Tsui Yiu-ling, aged 56, went missing after she was last seen at Light Rail Town Centre Station on June 3 afternoon. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (June 10). She is about 1.65 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of medium build. She has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a red and white striped shortsleeved shirt, black trousers, a grey cap, a grey mask, carrying a blue bag and a blue shopping cart. Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3127 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Issued at HKT 21:44 NNNN
US Coast Guard, British Virgin Islands Royal Marine Police, and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard air and surface units rescued a sole mariner aboard demasted sailing vessel in Eastern Caribbean waters northeast of Anegada, British Virgin Islands, Tuesday. Rescued was French citizen Frank Rouvray, 58, who reportedly was on a voyage to the island of Saint Martin when the vessel became demasted, and the distress signal was transmitted to the Coast Guard.
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The Saskatchewan RCMP and the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program based in Ontario are working together to provide prospective RCMP officers from Ontario a unique opportunity that gets them hands-on experience and sets them up for an interesting and exciting career!
How exactly does the agreement work?
New and prospective RCMP officers who have a desire to work in Central Region (the RCMP in Ontario) will have a three-year posting with the Saskatchewan RCMP to gain essential training and experience to thrive in their future role as an officer in the Federal Policing Program.
Upon completion of the new officer’s three-year posting with the Saskatchewan RCMP, it is mutually agreed upon that the new member will have the opportunity to work in Central Region (Ontario), unless the participant wishes to remain in Saskatchewan or has expressed another career preference.
“We have a unique opportunity here for RCMP officers starting their careers. Saskatchewan – or, as we call it internally, F Division – is a very busy province when it comes to policing. It allows new officers to gain lots of hands-on experience early on, which also means they get lots of training to be able to carry out those duties. Working here sets new RCMP officers up with the tools they need to be successful elsewhere and helps them to progress their careers. I encourage anyone interested in joining the RCMP to consider getting their start in F Division.” – Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, Commanding Officer, Saskatchewan RCMP
What’re the perks?
Working with the Saskatchewan RCMP, new officers can expect a unique policing experience. The RCMP provides services to 99.9% of the geographic area of the province – so, as one can imagine, there’s never a shortage of work! This means new officers will get the experience of a life-time. It’s a challenge that comes with many benefits – learn fast, make money, take advantage of exciting training opportunities and enjoy the life that Saskatchewan offers!
In Saskatchewan, new officers can expect a low cost of living – it can be a great place to grow your savings or raise a family! It’s also the ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The province is home to more than 100,000 lakes, which means there’s plenty of places to fish, go boating or have fun doing other water sports. The fun doesn’t stop when summer’s over here – the province boasts a wealth of year-round activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, hunting, biking, and much, much more! Want to learn more about what Saskatchewan has to offer? Check out Tourism Saskatchewan.
Those who take part in this agreement will come out of their posting in Saskatchewan with knowledge and skills that new officers may not get in other jurisdictions. After three years, these officers are guaranteed the choice to go back to Ontario with a spot in the RCMP’s Federal Policing Program – unless, of course, they wish to stay in Saskatchewan!
How can prospective or new RCMP officers sign up for this?
For those who haven’t yet applied to the RCMP: When you apply, express to your RCMP recruiter or contact that you’re interested in taking part in this agreement. They will provide you further information about the next steps!
For those already in the Cadet Training Program at Depot: If you haven’t yet been assigned your posting (Division/Detachment), it’s not too late to contact your Resourcing Advisor to request taking part in this agreement.
TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey man admitted to possessing images of child sexual abuse material following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations.
John Mangan, 78, of Lanoka Harbor, pleaded guilty June 10 to an information charging him with one count of possession of child pornography at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in Trenton.
“Mangan is a prior convicted sex offender with depraved desires that fuel the hideous market of online child sexual exploitation and abuse ICE Homeland Security Investigations vows to dismantle,” said ICE HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel. “The success in this investigation is the tips we received led to the justice that will now be served on behalf of all the innocent minors who are targeted by these disturbed predators. Anytime a person suspects that someone is exploiting or abusing a child, they should notify law enforcement authorities as soon as possible.”
According to the investigation, on Oct. 29, 2024, ICE HSI special agents executed a search warrant at Mangan’s residence in Lanoka Harbor and discovered an electronic device containing over 250 images of children being sexually abused. Mangan was previously convicted of sexual offenses involving minors, including a New Jersey conviction for sexual assault against a minor for conduct that occurred while Mangan was a school principal, and a prior federal conviction for possession of child pornography.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Lacey Township Police Department assisted HSI Newark in the investigation.
Because Mangan has been previously convicted of certain qualifying offenses, the count of possession of child pornography carries an enhanced mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 21.
HSI is at the forefront of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse through its investigations, victim assistance programs, intelligence and analysis, policy development, and training and awareness programs.
For any child, parent, guardian of New Jersey, searching for resources and information on how to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation, go to Know2Protect.gov. If you suspect a child might be a victim, please call the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423).
Know2Protect is a national public awareness campaign from the Department of Homeland Security. K2P’s aim is to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults, and policymakers to prevent, combat, and report online child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information, please visit our YouTube playlists at Know2Protect Campaign PSA Playlist and Know2Protect Digital Safety Series Playlist on the DHS main channel. Additional resources are available at Know2Protect.gov, Instagram, Facebook and X.
CHICAGO — A federal jury has convicted a man of trafficking six rifles, including AR-15 semiautomatic rifles, and a handgun in Chicago.
CEDRIC CURTIS, 32, of Chicago, sold the six rifles and handgun to a buyer in 2018 and 2019. Unbeknownst to Curtis, the buyer was cooperating with federal law enforcement. Curtis was not a licensed firearms dealer and, having been previously convicted of a felony offense, could not legally possess a firearm.
The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago last week convicted Curtis on one count of dealing firearms without a license and six counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso set sentencing for Oct. 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
The conviction was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn D. McCarthy and Margaret A. Steindorf.
A co-defendant, DEONTA MOORE, 31, of Chicago, pleaded guilty prior to trial to a charge of illegal firearm possession by a previously convicted felon. Moore was sentenced to three years and a month in federal prison.
Holding illegal firearm dealers accountable through federal prosecution is a centerpiece of Project Safe Neighborhoods. In the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has deployed the PSN program to tackle a broad range of violent crime issues facing the district, particularly firearm offenses.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – ActingU.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that DOMINIQUE PEEPLES (“PEEPLES”), age 28, from Memphis, Tennessee, was sentenced on May 28, 2025, after previously pleading guilty to Sex Trafficking of a Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1), 1591(b)(2), 1594(a), and 2.
According to court documents, PEEPLES brought a seventeen-year-old female (“Minor Victim”) from Memphis, Tennessee to New Orleans, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Houston, Texas, and required her to engage in commercial sex acts. During this time, PEEPLES was aware of Minor Victim’s age. PEEPLES advertised Minor Victim on websites commonly used to advertise sexual services in exchange for money and kept all or most of the proceeds from her work. PEEPLES waited in a vehicle and watched Minor Victim while she solicited commercial sex “dates.” Minor Victim worked under PEEPLES’ supervision between August of 2020 and her escape in mid-January 2021. After Minor Victim ran away, PEEPLES posted a video on social media in which he boasted about exploiting Minor Victim and pointed firearms at the screen.
U.S. District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance sentenced PEEPLES to seventeen (17) years in prison. PEEPLES was also sentenced to ten (10) years of supervised release after release from prison. Judge Vance further ordered PEEPLES to pay $120,000 in restitution to Minor Victim, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. PEEPLES will also have to register as a sex offender.
This case was part of a broader investigation involving defendants JEREMY TALBERT and MACEO ROBERTS, both of whom have pleaded guilty for related sex trafficking crimes. In February 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Susie Morgan sentenced ROBERTS to 22.5 years of imprisonment for conspiring to traffic three minors and two adults. In March 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Lance Africk sentenced TALBERT to 18 years for trafficking a fourteen-year-old minor to New Orleans.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Orleans Police Department, and the Memphis Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria M. Carboni of the Financial Crimes Unit and Jordan Ginsberg, Supervisor of the Public Corruption Unit, are in charge of the prosecution.
