Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three MS-13 Members Charged with RICO Conspiracy Involving Murder

    Source: US FBI

    Greenbelt, Maryland – Three men, who are alleged members and associates of the notorious gang La Mara Salvatrucha — commonly known as MS-13 — have made their initial appearance in the District of Maryland. The men are charged for their roles in a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) conspiracy, including murder and drug trafficking.

    According to court documents, on July 4, 2024, Maxwell Ariel Quijano-Casco, 24, of El Salvador; Daniel Isaias Villanueva-Bautista, 19, of El Salvador; and Josue Mauricio Lainez, 21, of Hyattsville, Maryland, allegedly killed a homeless man in connection with their involvement with MS-13. Then on July 5, a passerby called 911 after discovering the deceased victim sitting in a blue 2008 Dodge Caravan parked in a used-car lot in Hyattsville, Maryland.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Jose A. Perez, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Criminal Investigative Division; and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

    As outlined in court documents, upon arrival, law enforcement located the deceased victim, who appeared to have been stabbed in the neck.  Investigators arrived on scene and obtained video surveillance from a neighboring business that captured the incident.  The surveillance video shows that on July 4, at approximately 11:35 p.m., Quijano-Casco and another person approached the victim on foot. The homeless victim then wielded what appears to be a metal pole at Quijano-Casco. Then Quijano-Casco and the other person fled on foot and the homeless victim returned to the blue Dodge Caravan.

    Approximately 15 minutes later, Quijano-Casco returned with co-defendants Villanueva-Bautista and Lainez, along with another person. At approximately 11:48 p.m., video surveillance shows that all four perpetrators approached the blue Dodge Caravan. Then Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, Lainez, and an unnamed person opened the van’s rear sliding driver’s side door, reached inside, and exhibited movements as if they were striking someone. The victim did not exit the blue Dodge Caravan after the attack.

    “The brutal retaliatory murder of this victim is a chilling reminder of the MS-13 gang’s callous disregard for human life,” Hayes said.  “Those who assault and kill others must be brought to justice and ultimately held accountable for their actions.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland will continue to work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations that terrorize our communities.” 

    “MS-13 is an especially brutal gang,” Galeotti said. “Instead of simply walking away from an altercation with a homeless man, defendants returned to the scene and allegedly murdered the victim while he was sitting calmly inside a vehicle. Bringing those who commit violent crime to justice is one of the highest priories for the Criminal Division, and we will continue to work to make our communities secure.” 

    “The FBI and our partners are committed to using every tool available to prevent violent criminals from terrorizing the communities they live in,” Perez said. “We will not let up. We will relentlessly pursue those who engage in violent activity like murder and drug trafficking until they are held accountable.”

    On August 23, PGPD arrested Quijano-Casco and Villanueva-Bautista. At the time of his arrest, Quijano-Casco possessed a black Ruger P95DC semi-automatic handgun and approximately eight grams of cocaine. Quijano-Caso and Villanueva admitted that they were present for the altercation that resulted in the homeless man’s death. Additionally, Quijano-Casco admitted to stabbing the individual but claimed he did so in self-defense.

    Quijano-Casco, Villanueva-Bautista, and Lainez are all charged with RICO conspiracy, including the July 4, murder. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of life in prison.

    Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and PGPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Crespo and William Moomau, along with the Department of Justice Trial Attorney Christina Taylor, who are prosecuting the federal case. 

    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).

    Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement.  The FBI and HSI both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know.  You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Drug Trafficking Organization That Distributed Controlled Substances Shaped to Resemble Candy Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: US FBI

    An estimated eight million individual doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder seized during the investigation

    BOSTON – A Lynn man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking organization (DTO) on the North Shore of Massachusetts. In November 2023, millions of doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder with street value estimated to be over $7 million, were seized from a stash location and clandestine laboratory used by organization.

    Deiby Felix, 41, of Lynn, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In February 2025, Felix pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to manufacture and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Felix was arrested and charged along with Emilio Garcia and Sebastien Bejin in November 2023.

    In July 2023, an investigation into an overdose death in Salem led investigators to a DTO led by Felix, Bejin and Garcia. On Nov. 1, 2023, searches were conducted at four locations in Lynn that resulted in what is believed to be one of the largest single-location seizures of fentanyl and methamphetamine in Massachusetts and the region. The seizure included nine kilograms (20 pounds) of pink heart shaped fentanyl-laced pills pressed to look like candy. Additional narcotics and five firearms were also seized. During the course of the investigation over 75 kilograms (198 pounds) of fentanyl and methamphetamine was seized, along with multiple additional kilograms of cocaine and dozens of kilograms of cutting agents, including xylazine, that is used to adulterate controlled substances.

    In total, an estimated eight million individual doses of fentanyl and methamphetamine laced pills and powder was seized. The street value is believed to be upwards of $8 million.

    Searches of Felix’s residence resulted in the seizure of more than three kilograms (6.6 pounds) of pressed pills containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, a firearm and a clandestine drug laboratory that had been built into a small room in the basement. Multiple industrial pill presses, mixing equipment and other manufacturing paraphernalia and equipment were also recovered.

    Bejin was sentenced in May 2025 to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In May 2025, Garcia was sentenced to 18 years in prison, to be followed five years of supervised release.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Lynn, Lynnfield and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Trinitarios Leader Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    BOSTON – The former leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios was sentenced today in federal court in Boston on RICO conspiracy charges.

    Aaron Diaz Liranzo, a/k/a “Sosa,” 26, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Nathaniel M. Gorton to 14 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In March 2025, Diaz Liranzo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy. Diaz Liranzo was arrested and charged in February 2025 at which time he was the Leader of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios. 

    The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Trinitarios adhere to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to or organize and execute violence, and undertaken extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members.  

    In February 2025, federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 leaders and members of the Trinitarios. The charges were the result of a multi-jurisdictional investigation, which began in the aftermath of four murders as well as a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in Lynn in 2023, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members.

    During a period from at least 2021 through 2025, Diaz Liranzo served as the Primera or Number One of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios. Diaz Liranzo admitted to participating in a shooting that took place in March 2019 that targeted multiple rival gang members outside of a Lynn nightclub. The victims were lured there by another member, who posed as a woman who needed a ride. Equipped with a firearm and knowledge of the victim’s whereabouts and vehicle they were driving, the defendant travelled to the nightclub and opened fire on the vehicle, discharging at least six rounds. During the incident, Diaz Liranzo shot two of the three victims seated in the car. Both victims suffered life-threatening injuries, but ultimately survived the incident.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office; the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office (NH); and the Andover, Boston, Lawrence, Peabody and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wilbraham Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Public Officials, Private Individuals, and Children

    Source: US FBI

    BOSTON – A Wilbraham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. to making numerous violent threats on social media targeting public figures, private individuals, children in Wilbraham and Boston, and an elementary school in Springfield.

    Funwayo Mbilini Nyawo, also known as “Jonathan Funwayo Nyawo,” “Michael Jacobs” “Robert, Jacobs,” and “Carl Fields,” 37, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications and one count of stalking through facilities of interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Oct. 23, 2025. In March 2025, Nyawo was indicted by a federal grand jury. Nyawo was previously arrested on Feb. 5, 2025 in the Southern District of Florida and ordered detained until his appearance in federal court in Springfield, which will be scheduled at a later date.

    Between July 30, 2024 and Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo posted various threatening communications on X (formerly known as Twitter). These threats explicitly referenced killing, shooting, or bombing; targeted a wide variety of public figures, private individuals and sensitive public locations such as shopping malls and an elementary school; and often urged Islamic terrorist groups or holy warriors to commit these acts of violence.

    Nyawo’s threats included threats to kill an elected United States official (and their family), a former United States official (and their family); a former member of a Massachusetts police department (and their family); two private individuals; local officials and their family members; the children of Wilbraham and Boston; members of the Wilbraham Police Department and Wilbraham Fire Department (and their families); and targeted two shopping malls and an elementary school in Springfield, among others.

    In addition, between Aug. 17, 2024 and on or about Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo used X to engage in a course of conduct with the intent to harass and intimidate the elected United States official, their spouse, their child, their child’s spouse and their grandchildren.

    All of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and J. Thomas Manger of the United States Capital Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Wilbraham Police Department, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and the Miami-Dade Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wilbraham Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Public Officials, Private Individuals, and Children

    Source: US FBI

    BOSTON – A Wilbraham man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. to making numerous violent threats on social media targeting public figures, private individuals, children in Wilbraham and Boston, and an elementary school in Springfield.

    Funwayo Mbilini Nyawo, also known as “Jonathan Funwayo Nyawo,” “Michael Jacobs” “Robert, Jacobs,” and “Carl Fields,” 37, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications and one count of stalking through facilities of interstate commerce. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Oct. 23, 2025. In March 2025, Nyawo was indicted by a federal grand jury. Nyawo was previously arrested on Feb. 5, 2025 in the Southern District of Florida and ordered detained until his appearance in federal court in Springfield, which will be scheduled at a later date.

    Between July 30, 2024 and Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo posted various threatening communications on X (formerly known as Twitter). These threats explicitly referenced killing, shooting, or bombing; targeted a wide variety of public figures, private individuals and sensitive public locations such as shopping malls and an elementary school; and often urged Islamic terrorist groups or holy warriors to commit these acts of violence.

    Nyawo’s threats included threats to kill an elected United States official (and their family), a former United States official (and their family); a former member of a Massachusetts police department (and their family); two private individuals; local officials and their family members; the children of Wilbraham and Boston; members of the Wilbraham Police Department and Wilbraham Fire Department (and their families); and targeted two shopping malls and an elementary school in Springfield, among others.

    In addition, between Aug. 17, 2024 and on or about Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo used X to engage in a course of conduct with the intent to harass and intimidate the elected United States official, their spouse, their child, their child’s spouse and their grandchildren.

    All of the charges provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and J. Thomas Manger of the United States Capital Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Wilbraham Police Department, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department and the Miami-Dade Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Sentenced for Florissant Bank Robbery

    Source: US FBI

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Tuesday sentenced a man who robbed a Florissant bank in 2022 and fired a gun at a witness to 138 months in prison.

    Jeffery Alexander, 64, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis February to one count of bank robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted robbing a bank in the 1000 block of North Highway 67 on April 13, 2022.

    During the robbery, Alexander pointed a handgun at employees and demanded that a teller put money in a bag. He was wearing a dark rain poncho, a mask and blue nitrile gloves.

    A witness saw the robbery and followed Alexander, who fired a shot at the witness’ vehicle so he could get away. Police quickly found Alexander in a neighborhood about two miles away, sitting in his Dodge Ram with the money from the robbery, his disguise and his Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol.

    Alexander is a convicted felon, having been sentenced to 20 years in prison for a 1981-armed robbery in Illinois and 55 years for a second armed robbery conviction there.

    The case was investigated by the Florissant Police Department and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley M. Walker prosecuted the case.   

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: F-15EX visit offers first look at Indo-Pacific airpower evolution

    Source: United States Spaceforce

    Two F-15EX Eagle II aircraft deploy to Kadena Air Base, setting the stage for the permanent arrival of 36 more aircraft in spring 2026 – part of a long-term transformation to maintain U.S. air dominance in a dynamic theater.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arkansas First-Degree Murder Suspect Captured in Memphis by U.S. Marshals

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Memphis, TN – On July 17, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) captured Arkansas murder suspect Travis Boyd, 30, in Memphis, Tennessee.

    On November 8, 2024, Orlando Garza was shot and killed after exiting a casino in West Memphis, AR. An arrest warrant was issued in Crittenden County, Arkansas, charging Travis Boyd with First-Degree Murder.

    On December 2, 2024, the case was adopted by the USMS Eastern Arkansas Fugitive Task Force. When the investigation indicated that Boyd was hiding out in the Memphis area, the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task (TRVFTF) in Memphis was requested to assist.

    Today, Investigators with the TRVTF developed information and went to a residence in the 3900 block of Watkins in Memphis to search for Boyd. He was located and taken into custody without incident. He is being held at the Shelby County Jail awaiting extradition back to Arkansas.

    The U.S. Marshals Service Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured over 3,000 violent offenders and sexual predators.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: F-15EX visit offers first look at Indo-Pacific airpower evolution

    Source: United States Air Force

    Two F-15EX Eagle II aircraft deploy to Kadena Air Base, setting the stage for the permanent arrival of 36 more aircraft in spring 2026 – part of a long-term transformation to maintain U.S. air dominance in a dynamic theater.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Met reiterates warning on support for proscribed organisations ahead of Saturday protests

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    There will be an increased police presence in Westminster on Saturday when a number of protests are due to take place.

    A march organised by the Palestine Coalition will go from Victoria Embankment to Whitehall via Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand. Speeches will take place in Whitehall following the march.

    A static protest organised by Stop the Hate, in opposition to the Palestine Coalition march, will take place at the junction of the Strand and Waterloo Bridge.

    Discussions are ongoing with the organisers of both protests and details of any conditions in place will be published on Friday.

    We are also expecting further protest activity in support of Palestine Action which is a group now proscribed under the Terrorism Act. Similar protests have taken place in Parliament Square for the past two weekends, with 70 arrests made.

    The location of any such protest has not yet been confirmed.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is charge of the Met’s policing operation this weekend, said: “Our policing plans for the sort of protest activity we expect on Saturday are tried and tested, with officers working hard to achieve the balance of allowing people to exercise their right to peaceful protest while avoiding serious disruption to the community and ensuring incidents and offences can be swiftly dealt with.

    “This Saturday’s Palestine Coalition protest is the first large scale eventof its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood.

    “Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don’t stray into hate speech or other offences.

    “However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.

    “I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.

    “This is also the first large scale protest on this issue since Glastonbury Festival where offensive chanting led by an artist on one of the stages prompted a police investigation. Investigations are also underway, led by Met officers, following similar uses of the same chant in London.

    “Those investigations are ongoing and it would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcomes, but I can say a bit more about our approach to similar chanting at this weekend’s protest.

    “We have said before that whether chants cross the line from free speech to a potential criminal offence depends on the specific circumstances.

    “For example, there will be words that when chanted in the middle of the Palestine Coalition march, and not directed at individuals who might be caused harassment, alarm or distress as a result, might not lead an officer to reasonably suspect an offence has been committed.

    “But directing the same words at a group of people for whom the words would very likely cause harassment, alarm or distress, could well give rise to grounds for arrest.

    “At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point.

    “Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.

    “All participants are responsible for their own behaviour. Avoiding the use of threatening, abusive and insulting language, or language that is supportive of proscribed organisations, is the surest way to stay on the right side of this line.”

    Further details of these protests, including any conditions in place, will be published at news.met.police.uk and on the Met’s X account.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE: Met reiterates warning on support for proscribed organisations ahead of Saturday protests

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    There will be an increased police presence in Westminster on Saturday when a number of protests are due to take place.

    A march organised by the Palestine Coalition will go from Victoria Embankment to Whitehall via Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand. Speeches will take place in Whitehall following the march.

    A static protest organised by Stop the Hate, in opposition to the Palestine Coalition march, will take place at the junction of the Strand and Waterloo Bridge.

    Discussions are ongoing with the organisers of both protests and details of any conditions in place will be published on Friday.

    We are also expecting further protest activity in support of Palestine Action which is a group now proscribed under the Terrorism Act. Similar protests have taken place in Parliament Square for the past two weekends, with 70 arrests made.

    The location of any such protest has not yet been confirmed.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is charge of the Met’s policing operation this weekend, said: “Our policing plans for the sort of protest activity we expect on Saturday are tried and tested, with officers working hard to achieve the balance of allowing people to exercise their right to peaceful protest while avoiding serious disruption to the community and ensuring incidents and offences can be swiftly dealt with.

    “This Saturday’s Palestine Coalition protest is the first large scale eventof its kind since the proscription of Palestine Action and I want to make sure the implications of that change in the law are fully understood.

    “Nobody will be committing an offence by simply supporting the Palestinian cause, taking part in the march or carrying flags, banners or other signs providing they don’t stray into hate speech or other offences.

    “However, those who see this as an opportunity to test the limits of the law by expressing support for Palestine Action, whether at a standalone protest or as part of the Palestine Coalition protest, will likely be committing an offence and will very likely be arrested.

    “I would urge those people to consider the seriousness of being arrested under the Terrorism Act and the very real long term implications – from travel, to employment, to finances – that such an arrest is likely to have for their future.

    “This is also the first large scale protest on this issue since Glastonbury Festival where offensive chanting led by an artist on one of the stages prompted a police investigation. Investigations are also underway, led by Met officers, following similar uses of the same chant in London.

    “Those investigations are ongoing and it would not be appropriate to prejudge the outcomes, but I can say a bit more about our approach to similar chanting at this weekend’s protest.

    “We have said before that whether chants cross the line from free speech to a potential criminal offence depends on the specific circumstances.

    “For example, there will be words that when chanted in the middle of the Palestine Coalition march, and not directed at individuals who might be caused harassment, alarm or distress as a result, might not lead an officer to reasonably suspect an offence has been committed.

    “But directing the same words at a group of people for whom the words would very likely cause harassment, alarm or distress, could well give rise to grounds for arrest.

    “At previous protests, the area between the main march and any counter protest has seen the most heated exchanges. Officers will be particularly alert to conduct, including chanting, in this area and will be working with stewards to ensure crowds keep moving past this point.

    “Where they become aware of behaviour that crosses the line from protest into criminality they will intervene and take appropriate action.

    “All participants are responsible for their own behaviour. Avoiding the use of threatening, abusive and insulting language, or language that is supportive of proscribed organisations, is the surest way to stay on the right side of this line.”

    Further details of these protests, including any conditions in place, will be published at news.met.police.uk and on the Met’s X account.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Around the Air Force: Resolute Force Pacific, Resolute Space 2025, Autonomous Collaborative Platforms

    Source: United States Spaceforce

    In this week’s look around the Air Force, PACAF conducts its largest contingency-response exercise with REFORPAC, Guardians prepare to demonstrate Space Force capabilities with Resolute Space 2025 and the Air Force advances human machine teaming by flying ACPs alongside crewed fighter aircraft.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran National Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HAMMOND – Yesterday, Luis Banegas Rodriguez, 25 years old, of Honduras, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud in two cases, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

    Banegas Rodriguez was sentenced to 27 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $533,043 in restitution.

    According to documents in each case, on January 11, 2023, Banegas Rodriguez and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 169 fraudulent paychecks totaling $233,569 at three branches of the same bank in the Northern District of Indiana. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a company that operates dairy farms in the Northern District of Indiana.

    Almost six months later, on June 23, 2023, Banegas Rodriguez and his co-conspirators used fake identification cards to cash 178 fraudulent paychecks totaling $299,474 at five branches of the same bank and three check cashing businesses in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The fraudulent paychecks were designed to look like they had been issued by a building materials supply company in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    “Banegas Rodriguez participated in a far-reaching conspiracy that caused major financial harm to community banks and small businesses across the United States. Due to the unwavering efforts and collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, Banegas Rodriguez was brought to justice for his role in this scheme,” said Proctor. “The sentence imposed by the court sends a message that there are real consequences for engaging in fraud, particularly in northwest Indiana.”

    “The illicit actions of co-conspirators to commit bank fraud as they travel throughout the United States will not be tolerated,” said Matthew J. Scarpino, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Chicago. “HSI will continue to partner with our fellow law enforcement agencies to disrupt these types of offenders and hold them accountable for their crimes.”

    These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the Indiana State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Benton County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Department, the Benton County (Indiana) Prosecutor’s Office, the Poteau (Oklahoma) Police Department, and the Houston (Texas) Police Department. The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven J. Lupa from the Northern District of Indiana and Assistant United States Attorneys Kara Traster and Jordan Howanitz from the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran man pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Manuel Ramos-Godoy, 42, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to illegal re-entry. Ramos-Godoy was then sentenced to serve three months in federal prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Fauzia K. Mattingly, who handled the case, stated that Ramos-Godoy is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In July 2006 and September 2014, he was physically removed from the United States pursuant to an order of removal. On May 13, 2025, Ramos-Godoy was found in Erie County while driving a vehicle in a hotel parking lot in Amherst, NY.  He did not have any documents allowing him to be lawfully present in the United States.

    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.

    The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.   

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tigard Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Attempted Murder and Aggravated Assault for Shooting a U.S. Postal Service Employee

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.—A Tigard, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for shooting a United States Postal Service letter carrier.

    Kevin Eugene Irvine, 34, was sentenced to 205 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

    According to court documents, on December 24, 2022, while driving a white van through a Milwaukie, Oregon neighborhood, Irvine made eye contact with a letter carrier delivering mail on foot. Irvine threw his arms in the air, which the letter carrier mistook as waving, and the letter carrier waved back.  

    A short time later, on an adjacent street, the letter carrier noticed the same van and again made eye contact with Irvine as he drove past. Irvine stopped the van several houses away, got out of the van with a rifle, knelt on the street and fired three rounds, striking the letter carrier once as the letter carrier ran for cover. After the shooting, Irvine picked up his shell casings and drove off.

    On December 28, 2022, officers spotted the van in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where they stopped the vehicle and arrested Irvine. Later, investigators sought and obtained a search warrant for Irvine’s van and found three rifles, ammunition, spent shell casings, a knife, shooting targets and ballistic gear.

    On February 8, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Irvine with aggravated assault on a federal employee with a firearm, attempted murder of a federal employee, and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

    On March 26, 2025, Irvine was convicted of all three counts following a bench trial.

    This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Milwaukie Police Department and the Lake Oswego Police Department. It was prosecuted by Gary Y. Sussman and Eliza Carmen Rodriguez, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: McMinnville Repeat Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl in Oregon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PORTLAND, Ore.— A McMinnville, Oregon man with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to federal prison today for possessing and distributing fentanyl in Oregon.

    Travis Charles Donnahoo, 46, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.

    According to court documents, on March 12, 2023, officers from the McMinnville Police Department arrested Donnahoo, who has a long history of drug trafficking including five prior state convictions for distributing drugs in Oregon, on four outstanding warrants issued for his arrest. The officers searched Donnahoo and seized a firearm, cash, and a black zippered case. The following day, on March 13, 2023, investigators executed a search warrant on the black case and found 145 grams of methamphetamine and 322 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.   

    On March 22, 2023, Donnahoo was charged by criminal complaint with possessing fentanyl and methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and felon in possession of a firearm.

    On April 8, 2025, Donnahoo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, McMinnville Police Department, and Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

    Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.

    If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

    If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Men Plead Guilty To Money Laundering In Connection With Phishing Scams That Targeted SF-Based Company, Other Victims

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN FRANCISCO – George Aboagye and Dennis Jordan pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with their roles in online phishing scams.  Aboagye entered his guilty plea today and Jordan pleaded guilty on July 10, 2025.  

    Aboagye, 44, who previously resided in Stone Mountain, Ga., and Jordan, 39, who previously resided in Dallas, Texas, were originally indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2024 and charged by superseding informations in July 2025.

    According to court documents and the plea agreements, in December 2019, Aboagye laundered $922,445.34 fraudulently obtained from a San Francisco-based business through a business email compromise scam.  Employees at the victim business received a fraudulent email that purported to be from one of the business’s actual service providers.  The email induced employees at the victim business to send a wire transfer in the amount of $922,445.34 to a bank account for a fake company.  Aboagye and others used the fake company’s bank account to receive and launder the proceeds from this scam.  

    To conceal the source of the fraudulently obtained funds, portions of the $922,445.34 were distributed to Aboagye and other individuals, including Jordan, who deposited a $20,000 cashier’s check derived from the fraud proceeds into a bank account he set up under another fake business name.  

    Aboagye also wired other ill-gotten proceeds into accounts held in his name, including portions of $173,315.70 fraudulently obtained from a North Dakota state agency in May 2020 as part of a business email compromise and fraudulent payments totaling $80,300 from the Small Business Administration in August 2020.  In sum, Aboagye admitted to laundering between $1.5 million to $3.5 million in fraudulent proceeds.

    Jordan also admitted to using multiple fake companies and identities to open bank accounts, which he then used to receive funds from various victims, including $15,000 in January 2020 from a victim in California who believed the money was going to be used to obtain a shipment of gold from Australia, and $40,000 in April 2020 from a victim in California who believed the money was being used to help Covid-19 research.  Jordan also used one such account to obtain a $220,000 loan through the Small Business Administration’s Covid-19 Paycheck Protection Program.  Jordan used some of these funds to purchase a residence for himself in Dallas.  In sum, Jordan admitted to laundering $336,600 in fraudulent proceeds.  

    United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

    Both defendants have remained in custody since their arrests and both were remanded into custody following their guilty pleas.  Jordan and Aboagye are scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin.  Each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.  Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

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

    Assistant United States Attorneys S. Waqar Hasib and Kevin Yeh are prosecuting the case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Indicted for Fraudulent FEMA Claims for Lahaina Fire and California Fire Federal Disasters

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Daylyn Harris, 34, and Chelsea Johnson, 32, of Honolulu, Hawaii, were arrested on July 15, 2025 and charged in a seven-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2025.

    The indictment alleges that Harris and Johnson conspired with each other and carried out a wire fraud scheme, wherein Harris and Johnson submitted false claims to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), claiming to have suffered income, housing, and property losses as a result of two federal disasters, when, as Harris and Johnson both knew, they did not live in the disaster area or suffer any such losses. Specifically, Harris falsely claimed that he resided in Lahaina, Hawaii during the Lahaina fires federal disaster in August and September 2023, and that he lost housing and income, suffered medical bills, and lost property when, in fact, did not suffer such losses. Johnson assisted the fraudulent claim by posing as Harris’s Maui landlord. The indictment also alleges that in January 2025, Johnson falsely claimed to live in Pacific Palisades, California during the California fires federal disaster and claimed lost housing and other expenses. The indictment alleges that, together, Harris and Johnson received over $60,000 in disaster relief from FEMA.

    If convicted of the charged offenses, the defendants face up to thirty years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000 for each count.

    The charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. In the case of conviction, any sentence would be imposed by a United States District Judge based on the statutory sentencing factors and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

    This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rhode Island Man Admits ATM Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Degrasse, age 59, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, pled guilty on Tuesday to interstate transportation of stolen property. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.

    Degrasse admitted that in the early morning of April 27, 2023, he sawed into an ATM in a restaurant in Catskill, New York; removed approximately $9,300; and transported that money out of New York.  He also acknowledged that he cut the alarm wires of a convenience store in Hillsdale, New York, and entered the store before abandoning that effort to go to the Catskill restaurant.  Degrasse further admitted he sawed into and stole cash from ATMs in Walden, New York; Pine Plains, New York; Lenox, New York; Concord, Massachusetts; and Bagdad, Kentucky.  Degrasse admitted to stealing a total of more than $55,000 from the ATMs.  As part of his plea, Degrasse has agreed to forfeit the $9,300 from the Catskill theft and pay restitution. 

    Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “David Degrasse’s multi-state crime spree is over. His arrest and prosecution should put an end to his despicable targeting and burglarizing of small businesses.”

    FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Degrasse’s arrest should send a clear message that the FBI will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable any criminal who decides to target our small businesses for their own personal gain.”

    NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James stated: “This case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to hold individuals accountable who prey on small businesses and violate the safety of our communities. I commend the work of our Troopers and Investigators, along with our federal partners at the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their efforts in bringing this case to a successful resolution.”

    At sentencing, Degrasse, who is in custody, faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    The FBI and NYSP investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to More than 55 Years Combined in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FAYETTEVILLE – The final member of a Northwest Arkansas drug trafficking organization was sentenced to federal prison for crimes related to the distribution of fentanyl. The Honorable Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearings for the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

    According to court documents, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl pills in Fayetteville and Fort Smith from January to September of 2024. Investigators identified Salvador Caracena-Zarates as a distributer of methamphetamine and the leader and source of supply for fentanyl being distributed by Rafael Norwood, Christopher Howes, and Alonzo Releford. The pills distributed by this group contained fentanyl made or pressed to look like M-30 Oxycontin prescription pills.

    Those members of the drug trafficking organization indicted federally have been sentenced as follows:

    Salvador Fautino Caracena-Zarates, Jr. a/k/a “Doe”: age 42, Fort Smith, Arkansas – Possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine– 300 months imprisonment and 4-year term of supervised release.

    Rafael Deaundra Norwood, Sr.: age 40, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Aiding and abetting in the distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl– 168 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

    Christopher Ray Howes: age 43, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Aiding and abetting in the distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl– 100 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

    Alonzo Lee Releford, III: age 23, Fayetteville, Arkansas – Distribution of a mixture or substance containing fentanyl – 100 months imprisonment and 3-year term of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement.

    The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case with assistance by the following agencies:  Fourth Judicial Drug Task Force, Fort Smith Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Benton County Drug Unit, Bentonville Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, and Arkansas State Police.   

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sydney Butler Stanley prosecuted the case for the United States.

    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).

    Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: FEDERAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST PENSACOLA MAN FOR ATTEMPTING TO KILL ESCAMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Darrion K. Finley, 21, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on charges related to a shooting incident in late-2024 during an attempted traffic stop of a reported stolen vehicle. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.

    Finley is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on July 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

    The Indictment charges Finley with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Attempting to Kill an Escambia County Sheriff’s Deputy to Prevent Certain Communications, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.

    If convicted, Finley faces up to life imprisonment.  

    The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton.

    An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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 United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Kilo Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – A Raleigh man has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for trafficking large quantities of fentanyl throughout Eastern North Carolina. Joshua Vines, 40, admitted to conspiring to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and pleaded guilty earlier this year.

    According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, on October 25, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents were conducting surveillance on a vehicle registered to co-defendant Nigel Gray. They observed the car parked outside a Dollar General in Elizabeth City, where a passenger and co-defendant, Omar Cardenas, exited and got into another vehicle. Both cars then left the area.

    Law enforcement later stopped the vehicle, driven by Vines, in Nashville, NC. During the stop, Vines contacted Gray by phone to ask for the car’s registration information. A trained K-9 alerted to the vehicle, prompting a search. Inside, officers found approximately 30,000 pills containing fentanyl or para-fluorofentanyl, with a combined weight of 1.5 kilograms, along with an additional kilogram of fentanyl powder. Vines had texted Gray that they were being detained and requested consent to search the vehicle. The group had planned to distribute the drugs in the Raleigh area.

    Gray and Cardenas have already been sentenced in federal court for their roles in the conspiracy.

    Vines has prior felony convictions for discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, trafficking heroin, and trafficking cocaine by transportation.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. HSI, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, the Raleigh Police Department, the Nashville Police Department, the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Regional Drug Task Force investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Severo and Katherine Englander prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00076.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: FORMER LOCAL FIREFIGHTER FACING FEDERAL CHARGES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Garey A. Buscaino, 48, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on charges related to a decade-long pattern of producing and possessing child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.

    Buscaino is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on July 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

    The Indictment charges Buscaino with the Production of Child Pornography of four different minor females between 2015 – 2025. He is also charged with the Possession of Child Pornography Involving Minors Under the Age of 12 Years Old.

    If convicted, Buscaino faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment as to each minor victim for the Production of Child Pornography and up to 20 years’ imprisonment as to the Possession of Child Pornography Involving Minors Under the Age of 12 Years Old.  

    The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.

    An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Law Enforcement Recovers Over $6 Million in Forfeited Assets From Miami Couple Sentenced to Nine- and Three-Year Prison Terms for Health Care Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies

    Source: US FBI

    MIAMI – On July 10, 2025, Magaly Travieso, 54, of Miami, Fla., was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and Yudorki Ramirez, 53, of Miami, Fla., was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    Travieso was an advanced practitioner registered nurse and the owner of ProMed Healthcare, L.L.C., a medical clinic that purportedly provided back and shoulder braces, physical therapy, psychosocial rehabilitation, and other mental health therapy services to beneficiaries with commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage Plans, and to Medicaid recipients. From approximately March 2019 through at least January 2023, Travieso conspired with others to submit over $20 million in fraudulent claims for reimbursement, of which ProMed received over $10 million.

    Specifically, Travieso and her co-conspirators paid patients illegal kickbacks and fabricated medical records to substantiate thousands of insurance claims for medically unnecessary goods and services—and services that ProMed never even provided. For example, Travieso and other ProMed mental health counselors completed progress notes for “psychosocial rehabilitation” (“PSR”) with fabricated stock quotes of PSR patients that they copied throughout records of dozens of different elderly patients. ProMed’s medical records even copied the typos in those fabricated quotes. Travieso and others’ PSR progress notes not only copied participant responses, the notes also fabricated observations, results, and other medical notations.

    Once ProMed’s health care fraud proceeds were deposited into ProMed’s bank accounts, Travieso and her former spouse, Ramirez, used the fraud proceeds for their personal use and benefit.  For example, Travieso spent approximately $75,000 in proceeds on the purchase of a 2021 Land Rover Range Rover in the name of ProMed and approximately $750,000 in proceeds on the purchase of her residence in Miami, Florida.  Similarly, Ramirez spent approximately $141,923.02 of proceeds on the purchase of his residence in Miami.  Ramirez also laundered approximately $2,068,904.55 of health care fraud proceeds into his investment accounts.  In June 2024, pursuant to seizure warrants, law enforcement seized Travieso’s Range Rover and over $4 million in health care fraud proceeds from bank accounts belonging to Travieso and Ramirez. Since then, law enforcement has recovered over $2 million in additional forfeited assets, and the Court ordered Travieso and Ramirez to pay millions more to the Government and the victims.

    Hayden P. O’Byrne, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Miami Field Office, Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan Lynch of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Miami Regional Office and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for the Florida Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Florida Office of the Attorney General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Egozi prosecuted the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Paster handled asset forfeiture.

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-CR-20074-KMM.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wentzville, Missouri, Man Sentenced to 210 Months for Distributing Methamphetamine

    Source: US FBI

    SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Wentzville, Missouri, man, Mark Randle, 44, was sentenced on July 15, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless to 210 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine.

    Randle was indicted in October 2020 and pleaded guilty in March 2025.

    The statutory penalties for distributing methamphetamine in this case were no less than 15 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $20,000,000 fine, and up to a life term of supervised release.

    This case was investigated by the Illinois State Police; the Quincy Police Department; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office; and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Z. Weir represented the government in the prosecution.

    The case against Randle 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.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Around the Air Force: Resolute Force Pacific, Resolute Space 2025, Autonomous Collaborative Platforms

    Source: United States Air Force

    In this week’s look around the Air Force, PACAF conducts its largest contingency-response exercise with REFORPAC, Guardians prepare to demonstrate Space Force capabilities with Resolute Space 2025 and the Air Force advances human machine teaming by flying ACPs alongside crewed fighter aircraft.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man who travelled to Syria convicted of terrorism offence

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been convicted of travelling to Syria with the intention of committing acts of terrorism, following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

    Isa Giga, 32 (11.02.1993), previously of Hounslow, west London, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 23 May 2024 after he caught a flight back from Turkey.

    Met counter terrorism police had been notified in 2018 that Giga had travelled to Syria, via Turkey, to fight for the Jaysh Al Fath group, which was part of an alliance of Islamist armed factions fighting in the Syrian civil war, including an Al-Qaeda affiliated group.

    Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command said: “We have been clear for some time now that anyone returning to the UK suspected of being involved in any terrorist-related activity overseas will be thoroughly investigated.

    We work very closely with other partners and agencies here in the UK and overseas in order to do this and help keep the public safe.

    “As this case shows, we will always arrest those who return to the UK after fighting for a terrorist group, no matter how long it has been since they left the country. “

    Giga was convicted on 18 July of an offence contrary to section 5 of the Terrorism Act, 2006 after a two-week trial at the Old Bailey.

    The jury heard Giga flew from Heathrow to Istanbul on 7 September 2015 and then took a connecting flight to Adana in the south of Turkey. From there he crossed the border into Syria.

    Evidence gathered by Met counter terrorism officers included emails and social media messages from Giga’s family, which proved he had travelled to Syria to ‘fight for Jihad’.

    This was also matched with flight passenger records and transactions from his bank account.

    Further evidence was gathered from messages Giga sent on a social media messaging platform to an undercover officer in June 2016. Giga explains how he “never knew about jihad until 2015” when ISIS took control of parts of Syria.

    Giga said he supported ‘Nusra’, part of the Jaysh Al Fath group, and ‘wanted martyrdom very soon in the first row’ (the battlefield in Syria).

    He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on 17 October.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man jailed for life for murder of Derek Thomas

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A man has been jailed for life for murdering 55-year-old Derek Thomas, who was stabbed outside his home in Hackney last year.

    On Monday, 7 July, Kamar Williams, 34 (21.01.91) of West Ferry Road, E14 was found guilty of murder and possession of an offensive weapon following a trial at the Old Bailey.

    On Friday, 18 July a judge at the same court sentenced Williams to life in prison, with a minimum term of 29 years.

    The court heard how, in the early evening of Tuesday, 30 July 2024 Williams sent threatening text messages to Derek’s daughter, warning her to “watch this space.”

    Hours later, CCTV captured Williams driving a grey van along Benthal Road, N16. He stopped directly outside Derek’s home. Williams was wearing a pair of reflective trainers, which made him easily identifiable throughout the CCTV footage.

    Williams was seen pacing along Benthal Road, loitering near Derek’s home, before disappearing out of shot. Moments later, he returned to his van and drove away at 23:03hrs.

    At 23:04hrs, police received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting that a man had been stabbed with a ‘very big knife.’ Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended, but despite their best efforts, Derek died at the scene.

    Detective Inspector John Marriott, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal and premeditated attack on a much-loved father. Kamar Williams showed clear intent that night, driving to Derek’s home, waiting for the right moment, and carrying out this senseless act of violence.

    “The swift response from our officers, combined with extensive CCTV, forensic work, and determination from our investigation team, led to his arrest and conviction.

    “Our thoughts remain with Derek’s family, who have shown immense strength throughout this ordeal.”

    Following the conviction, Derek’s family said:

    “Derek will be greatly missed by his family and friends, he was a dedicated family man and worked hard to provide for them. He was the life and soul of the family. Derek was always on hand to provide support, knowledge, advice and was a calming influence when it was required. His passing has left a massive hole in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, family and all that knew him. He was greatly loved by all and will never be forgotten.”

    The investigation progressed rapidly. On Thursday, 1 August 2024 police were contacted about an abandoned grey van on Langford Close, E8. Inside, officers recovered a bank card belonging to Williams from the driver’s seat, directly linking him to the vehicle.

    Analysis of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system showed that the van had travelled multiple times between the crime scene and Williams’ home address.

    Enquiries at a local hospital also revealed that Williams had sought treatment for a 5cm cut to his left knee on 31 July, the day after the murder — further evidence tying him to the violent incident.

    Williams repeatedly attempted to evade police. On Saturday, 3 August traffic officers tried to stop a silver BMW on Burnt Ash Hill, SE9 but the driver made off. It was later established that Williams was behind the wheel.

    In a further effort to avoid arrest, Williams left London temporarily. However, following a manhunt, officers identified and arrested him within the footprint of Notting Hill Carnival on 26 August 2024. He was charged with murder the following day.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two District Men Ordered to Be Held Without Bond in Violent Armed Kidnapping and Carjacking

    Source: US FBI

               WASHINGTON – Damon Middleton, 32, and Michael Alston, 27, both of the District of Columbia, were ordered to be held without bond today following their arrests for armed kidnapping and carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                According to court documents, on May 9, 2025, a male victim was parking his Dodge Caravan at his home in the District when he was approached by two men who hit him on the head and demanded money. One of the subjects allegedly took the victim’s keys, entered his apartment, and ransacked it.

                The two men then drove the victim in the victim’s Dodge Caravan to various Maryland ATMs to withdraw funds from the victim’s CashApp and bank accounts. The men eventually left the victim zip-tied in Hyattsville, Maryland, and drove off in his vehicle. Law enforcement later located the torched remains of the victim’s Dodge Caravan within the District.

                Middleton and Alston were charged in an indictment, which was unsealed on July 11, 2025, on charges of federal kidnapping and transportation of a stolen vehicle, as well as District of Columbia charges of armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

                This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI Washington Field Office’s Violent Crimes Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sabena Auyeung and Mark Levy.

     

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    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Maryland Police Officer Sentenced to 74 Months for Excessive Use of Force in the District

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON – Philip Dupree, 40, a former police officer with the Fairmount Heights, Maryland Police Department, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 74 months in prison following his conviction at trial on June 17, 2024, in connection with violating a man’s civil rights by using unreasonable force, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

                A federal jury found Dupree guilty on June 17, 2024, of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. In addition to the 74-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ordered Dupree to serve threeyears of supervised release.

                “When the defendant used unnecessary and excessive force on a man in handcuffs, he violated his duty and betrayed his oath to serve and protect,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The Court’s sentence serves as a stark reminder that members of law enforcement must not break the faith with the communities we all serve.”

                According to court documents, Dupree was on duty as a Fairmont Heights Police officer during the early morning hours of Aug. 4, 2019, when he conducted a traffic stop on Eastern Avenue NE, in the District of Columbia. After detaining the driver and the driver’s sister, Officer Dupree pepper-sprayed the driver in the face while the driver was handcuffed and seated in Dupree’s police car.  The jury found that Dupree’s use of force constituted excessive force by a law enforcement officer.

                “Our government requires police officers to abide by the laws they enforce and to protect the constitutional rights of all persons in their custody,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division. “Dupree abused his authority as a police officer, and today Dupree was held accountable for his actions.”

                “Law enforcement officers have a duty to enforce the laws while protecting the rights of those they serve,” said Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Today’s sentence underscores this responsibility and demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to pursue public servants who abuse their positions of power and trust.”

                The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Howland of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

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