NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gun Trafficker Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison for Robbing ATF Agent with Machine Gun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN DIEGO – Jonathan Manuel Flores was sentenced in federal court today to 135 months in prison for his role in an illegal firearms business and for robbing an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent at gun point during a machine gun deal gone wrong.

    ATF special agents were conducting a months-long investigation into the trafficking of privately manufactured firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns,” and guns modified with illegal auto conversion devices that transform everyday firearms into dangerous machine guns, when the defendant decided to rob an undercover ATF special agent, instead of selling the agent the firearm.

    During that deal on February 17, 2023, ATF special agents conducted an undercover operation in San Diego to purchase a Glock pistol with a full auto conversion device, commonly known as a “Glock Switch,” for $2,400.

    In a meeting in the parking lot of Walmart on Murphy Canyon Road, the defendant insisted that the gun deal take place in the backseat of his car. The undercover agent got into the back seat of the defendant’s parked car as requested. When the undercover agent entered the car there were two other individuals seated in the driver’s seat and front passenger seat of the car. Once inside the car, Flores showed the agent a Glock pistol with an extended magazine inserted and a machinegun conversion device installed.

    Although the agent asked to hold the firearm, Flores insisted the agent show and count the money first. As the undercover agent finished counting $2,000 in cash, the defendant pulled back the slide on the pistol to make it ready to shoot and pushed the muzzle into the undercover agent’s ribcage. He then said, “Get the f—- out of the car dog before I smoke you” while grabbing the cash from the agent’s hand. The agent successfully exited the vehicle. Flores and his two companions fled. Flores was later apprehended with the assistance of the San Diego Police Department.

    “This robbery is a stark reminder of the extreme danger our agents face every day in their efforts to keep illegal firearms off our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners working to keep these dangerous firearms out of the hands of felons.”

    “ATF’s core mission is to protect the public by investigating and apprehending the most violent offenders in our communities,” said ATF Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper. “It is an honor to work with our state, local, and federal partners to successfully carry out our public safety mission.” Cooper thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the El Cajon Police Department, and San Diego Police Department for working with ATF in the investigation, apprehension, and successful prosecution of Jonathan Manuel Flores.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evangeline Dech and Alicia Williams.

    DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 23cr00512CAB                                 

    Jonathan Manuel Flores                                  Age: 20                                   Chula Vista, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Assault on a Federal Officer with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon – 18 U.S.C. § 111(b)

    Maximum Penalties: Twenty Years in prison; $250,000 fine

    Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence – 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) 

    Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum seven years to life in prison, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed as to Count 5; $250,000 fine

    Engaging in the Business of Dealing Firearms Without a License – 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1)(A), 923(a), and 924(a)(1)(D); Aiding and Abetting – 18 U.S.C. § 2

    Maximum penalties: Five years in prison; $250,000 fine 

    INVESTIGATING AGENCY

    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Council on Foreign Relations Delegation Visits USINDOPACOM

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    HONOLULU, Hawaii — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, welcomes members of the Council on Foreign Relations to USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith, Honolulu, to discuss U.S. military strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, April 30, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prosecutors in CDCA Charge 45 Defendants with Being Illegal Aliens in U.S. Following Removal – a 3,755% Increase from Previous Year

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – Federal prosecutors in the Central District of California this week criminally charged 45 defendants who allegedly illegally re-entered the United States following removal, bringing the total number of defendants charged with this crime since January 20 of this year to 347, a year-over-year increase of 3,755%, the Justice Department announced today.

    The defendants charged were previously convicted of felonies before they were removed from the United States, offenses that include attempted burglary and forgery.

    Since the change in administration this year, federal prosecutors in the seven-county Central District, which includes Los Angeles, have aggressively pursued criminal illegal aliens. In comparison, federal prosecutors in 2024 charged a total of nine defendants with Title 8 United States Code § 1326 – illegal re-entry following removal. In 2023, the office charged eight such defendants.

    “The government has a duty to protect its citizens,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “During the prior administration, this office abdicated its duty by effectively failing to prosecute any illegal re-entry cases. Those days are over. Criminal illegal aliens will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “The difference in numbers is staggering,” said United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd M. Lyons. “Since January 20, this jurisdiction has prosecuted 347 illegal aliens for reentering the United States after removal — but last year, there were only nine of these prosecutions. That’s a 3,755% increase in just over a quarter of the time. Partnerships between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ICE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the FBI play a critical role in ensuring that individuals who pose threats to public safety are removed from our communities.”

    The crime of being found in the United States following removal carries a base sentence of up to two years in federal prison. Defendants who were removed after being convicted of a felony face a maximum 10-year sentence and defendants removed after being convicted of an aggravated felony face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.

    The recently filed cases include the following defendants:

    • Paulino González-García, 26, of Mexico, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with being an illegal alien found in the United States after removal. González-García was removed in 2018 and has two prior state convictions in Santa Barbara County Superior Court for driving under the influence (DUI). He is in state custody and charged with a third DUI offense. Assistant United States Attorney Christina A. Marquez of the Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
    • Ricardo Cruz-García, 31, of Mexico, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with being an illegal alien found in the United States following removal. Cruz-García was removed in 2019. He has a 2018 conviction for attempted burglary and 2019 convictions in Orange County Superior Court for possession of a controlled substance, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, and forgery. Assistant United States Attorney Christina A. Marquez of the Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    Federal prosecutors this week also charged the following defendant:

    • José Rosales Ramírez, 27, of Mexico, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Ramirez was caught with possession of two firearms because of his involvement in an incident in Compton where it is alleged that he shot at a moving vehicle. Assistant United States Attorney Christina A. Marquez of the Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating these matters.

    These cases are 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 (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rochester man going to prison for 15 years on gun and drug charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Shawnle McClary, 49, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between 2021 and January 17, 2024, McClary conspired with Timothy Jackson, Jr. a/k/a T a/k/a T-Rock, Gary Fuller a/k/a G, Felicia Collins a/k/a Keisha and others to sell cocaine and fentanyl. McClary regularly packaged cocaine for sale, and transported quantities of cocaine and fentanyl from a stash location at residences on Forester Street to stash and/or sale locations on Angle Street in Rochester. On January 17, 2024, law enforcement searched numerous locations in Rochester utilized by members of the conspiracy as well as McClary’s Mobile Drive residence in the Town of Greece. During the searches, approximately 805 grams of cocaine, 210 grams of fentanyl, 223 grams of cocaine, $7,682 in cash, seven loaded firearms, and drug paraphernalia were seized.

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

    The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Afghan citizen charged with visa fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dilbar Gul Dilbar a/k/a Dilbar Gul Taj Ali Khan, a citizen of Afghanistan, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with visa fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in 2016 and 2021, Dilbar submitted applications to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) for a Special Immigrant Visa. A limited supply of these visas is set aside each year for Afghan nationals who have assisted the United States military. Dilbar’s applications included a counterfeit U.S. Embassy Kabul Chief of Mission approval, a fraudulent letter of employment, and a fraudulent Letter of Recommendation. On March 20, 2024, Dilbar’s fraudulent application was approved, and, on April 4, 2024, he was granted admission to the United States and currently resides in the Western District of New York. On the same day Dilbar was granted admission to the United States, he applied for Legal Permanent Resident card, commonly referred to as a “green card,” which was issued on July 22, 2024.

    Specifically, in July 2016, Dilbar applied to the Department of State for U.S. Embassy Kabul Chief of Mission approval but was denied. However, Dilbar continued his application for a Special Immigrant Visa, submitting a counterfeit approval letter in November 2017. In 2021, Dilbar re-applied for the Special Immigrant Visa. For the second application, Dilbar submitted a letter of employment from a U.S.-based company. Subsequent investigation determined that the U.S.-based company that issued the purported employment verification letter was engaged in a large-scale scheme to provide fraudulent documents, such as employment verification letters, in exchange for a fee. All employment verification letters authored by this entity are fraudulent. Dilbar also submitted a second Letter of Recommendation, which also came from an individual involved in an “advance-fee” scam, which sells fraudulent immigration documents. As a result, Dilbar was granted a Special Immigrant Visa, admitted to the United States and issued a green card.

    Dilbar made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Colleen D. Holland and was held pending a detention hearing on May 9, 2025.

    The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

    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.     

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ICE Lodges Detainers Against Violent Aliens Over Corpse Rape, Shooting Spree

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working relentlessly to remove criminals and sexual predators from American communities. This week, ICE New York City and Memphis placed immigration detainers on two criminal illegal aliens accused of heinous crimes. 

    Enoc Martinez, an illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested in Shelby County, Tennessee and has been charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder for a shooting spree in Memphis that left two people hospitalized. Martinez illegally entered the U.S. in June 2014 as an unaccompanied minor. He was apprehended by Border Patrol and was turned over to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and then placed with a sponsor in Memphis, TN. He was issued a final order of removal in 2022.  

    Following the shooting spree, ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Martinez. 

    Felix Rojas, an alien who illegally entered the country multiple times dating back to 1998, was arrested in New York City and has been charged with rape and grand larceny for raping a corpse on the subway near Whitehall Street Station in Manhattan.  On April 30, ICE New York City lodged an immigration detainer against Rojas. 

    “With impunity open border policies have allowed violent criminal aliens to terrorize America’s towns and cities,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia Mclaughlin. “Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE is working around the clock to remove the worst of the worst from our communities. If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up.” 

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Billings woman man sentenced to 4 years in prison on drug and gun charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS – A Billings woman who sold methamphetamine and provided a firearm to a juvenile was sentenced today to 4 years in prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Ali Sage Hausmann, 26, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and false statement during a firearm transaction.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that in 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated Hausmann for purchasing a gun used by a juvenile during a home invasion. On May 9, 2022, two teenagers burglarized a home in Billings and one of them possessed a Beretta pistol during the burglary. ATF learned Hausmann bought the Beretta at Scheels in Billings one day before the home invasion, which one of the juveniles confirmed during an interview with law enforcement. Approximately two weeks after the burglary, Hausmann pawned the firearm.

    As part of the investigation into the firearm purchase, ATF obtained a search warrant for Hausmann’s Facebook account and learned she was selling methamphetamine. Agents also located messages confirming she purchased the firearm for the juvenile. On December 7, 2022, law enforcement seized 6.9 grams of meth from Hausmann’s residence, along with an additional firearm from her purse. Hausmann admitted to selling methamphetamine and to purchasing the gun for the juvenile.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the ATF and the Billings Police Department.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rochester man pleads guilty to stealing $168-thousand dollars from his employer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael Torres, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to financial institution fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that between September 2021 and February 2022, Torres was employed as a Relationship Manager at Financial Institution 1. While in this position, he misused his position to apply for loans through Financial Institution 1 in the names of individuals without their knowledge or authorization. Torres applied for 19 loans for a total of $168,000, which was deposited into bank accounts that he controlled.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

    Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marty Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Kidnapping

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SIOUX FALLS – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange has sentenced a Marty, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Kidnapping. The sentencing took place on April 25, 2025.

    Ellery Zephier, age 39, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200, and restitution in the amount of $22,260.

    Zephier was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024. Following his trial in January, he was found guilty. The conviction stemmed from incidents between July 20-25, 2024, when Zephier kidnapped and held a woman against her will in his home in Marty and assaulted her resulting in the infliction of serious bodily injury.

    This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Yankton Sioux Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paige Petersen and Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

    Zephier was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Union County Teacher Charged with Possession of Child Pornography and Enticement of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Union County, New Jersey man was charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse and for enticing a minor to engage in prostitution and produce child pornography, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced today.

    Jack Wilder, 26, of Somerville, New Jersey, was charged by complaint with one count of possession of child pornography and two counts of enticement of a minor.  He made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court and was detained.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    In or around February 2024, Wilder, a history teacher at a school in Plainfield, New Jersey, communicated with a minor victim using a mobile payment application through which Wilder advised he would pay the minor victim to engage in sexual activity.  The minor victim also sent Wilder sexually explicit pictures.  Thereafter, on or about July 23, 2024, Wilder returned from an international trip aboard a flight that landed in New York.  Law enforcement subsequently lawfully searched Wilder’s cell phone and found a video depicting child sexual abuse material and sexually explicit conversations between Wilder and other individuals who identified themselves as minors.

    “These charges are the most recent example of this office’s dedication to protecting children in our community.  We are tirelessly committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals who victimize and prey on the vulnerable are brought to justice.”

    – U.S. Attorney Alina Habba

    “Our children are the most innocent members of society and they should never be victimized by anyone, particularly​ by those in positions of trust such as teachers,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “In partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, every child has our unwavering commitment ​to bring to justice those that would heinously abuse them for their own profit and perverse self-gratification. No child should have to face a lifetime of trauma caused by a predator. We will continue to make combatting child sexual exploitation a priority, and will always strive to put an end to ​these disturbing acts from happening around the world.”

    The charge of possession of child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  The charges of enticement of a minor each carry a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of life imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited the work of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel, with the investigation leading to the charges.

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

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey S. Smith of the Criminal Division in Newark.

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

                                                                           ###

    Defense counsel: Candace Hom, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Vero Beach Meth Dealer Sentenced to 14 years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – On April 30, Denzil Olajuwon Stewart, 30, was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, for selling 276.7 grams of pure methamphetamine. 

    On Dec. 28, 2023, law enforcement officers observed Stewart drive away from his Vero Beach home in a white Porsche SUV, arrive at another residence about 30 minutes away, and sell what they later discovered was 276.7 grams of pure methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was packaged in a plastic shopping bag, which bore Stewart’s fingerprints.

    A jury found Stewart guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual, and distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA, Miami Field Division, and Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers made the announcement. 

    DEA Port Saint Lucie and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Hudock and Michael Porter prosecuted it.

    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 https://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 24-cr-14058.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ashland man sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for trafficking meth on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS – An Ashland man who trafficked methamphetamine on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 151 months in prison to be followed by 4 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Joe Vega, 49, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

    U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that in December of 2023, the FBI began an investigation into Joe Vega for the distribution of methamphetamine. One source reported purchasing methamphetamine from Vega a dozen times.

    In April of 2024, the FBI intercepted a package from Arizona destined for Vega’s Billings address. Agents obtained a search warrant for the package and discovered 1331.5 grams of meth, almost three pounds, that was 100% pure.

    The FBI later learned Vega was traveling to Arizona, possibly to pick up methamphetamine. On April 22, 2024, a Montana Highway Patrol trooper conducted a stop of the vehicle in which Vega was a passenger. Vega and the driver consented to a search and law enforcement found two pounds of methamphetamine in a bag belonging to Vega. That meth was also 100% pure.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Patten prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI, with the assistance of BIA, Montana DCI, and the Montana Highway Patrol.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

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

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Memphis, TN – On April 30, 2025, Taylor McKinney, 22, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) for a deadly shooting in Memphis.

    On March 13, 2025, Deonte’ Reed was found shot to death, and a female suffering from a gunshot wound at the 200 block of Chelsea Avenue in Memphis. Following an investigation by the Memphis Police Department (MPD), on April 9, 2025, warrants for First Degree Murder, Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Employing a Firearm with the Intent to Commit a Felony were issued for Taylor McKinney for this incident. The fugitive case was adopted by the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis.

    Yesterday, the USMS determined that McKinney was at a residence in the 5900 block of Hickory Hill Square in Memphis. The USMS, joined by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team, went to the residence and took McKinney into custody without incident. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

    “We recognize the recent escalation of deadly shootings in the City of Memphis,” said United States Marshal Tyreece Miller. “I commend the work of MPD on solving these cases, as the U.S. Marshals Service remains steadfast in our efforts to remove dangerous trigger pullers from the streets.”

    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: Missing Woman Believed to be Held Against Her Will Found Safe in the Twin Cities

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Minneapolis, MN – On Thursday, April 24, 2025, the North Star Fugitive Task Force in the District of Minnesota located and arrested Shalene Ball of South Dakota at the 3100 block of Coachman Road in Eagan, Minnesota. Ball was wanted on a Federal Supervised Release Violation however authorities in South Dakota and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension posted on their flier “she is believed to be endangered as law enforcement has received information that she is being held against her will.” It was also noted that Ball had not been in contact with her family since February 26, 2025. In a Facebook post on April 17, Ashley Renae wrote “my cousin Shalene Ball is missing. If anyone has any information, please reach out to me or Sioux Falls Police Department.”

    When members of the North Star Fugitive Task Force located Ball, she was taken into custody without incident but had signs of trauma and physical abuse. Ball was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated before being released and booked into Sherburne County Jail. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Make DC Safe Again Initiative Continues to Build Momentum

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office brought federal firearms charges against 24 defendants in the month of April —more than twice the monthly average since January 2021— and bringing the total number of firearms prosecutions under the Make D.C. Safe Again initiative to 42 since its inception, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr.                                   

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged 24 defendants with federal firearms offenses. This marks the highest number of case adoptions since before January 2021. The surge has taken more dangerous offenders off the streets. Examples of these cases include:

    1. Baltimore Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge Following Foot Chase in Southeast
    2. Arrest in Chinatown Results in Illegal Firearm Charge
    3. Defendant Charged with Illegal Gun Possession in Superior Court Now Faces Federal Firearm Charge
    4. District Man Indicted for Illegal Firearm Possession Following Arrest in Northeast D.C.
    5. Felon Charged with Possession of Firearm Following Arrest in Southeast

    Make D.C. Safe Again is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump’s Executive Order to Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful. Make D.C. Safe Again aims to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenses, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating these cases.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Owners of Roofing Companies Indicted for Tax Evasion

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – Two roofing company owners were indicted for their failure to file tax returns and pay tax on income, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    The Indictment charges Steve Mitchell, also known as “Sonny Mitchell,” of Edison, New Jersey, and Samuel Mitchell of Bohemia, New York with four counts each of tax evasion.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Steve Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, and others operated roofing businesses under several different names.  Despite earning approximately $881,730.26 and $1,397,960.21, respectively, in income from roofing customers from 2018 through 2021, Steve Mitchell and Samuel Mitchell failed to file tax returns with the IRS and pay tax on their income.  Instead, Steve Mitchell and Samuel Mitchell took affirmative steps to conceal their income from the IRS, including by providing false social security numbers to check cashing businesses that they used to convert customers’ checks to cash, which prevented the check cashing businesses from reporting the cashed checks to the IRS as required by law.

    In addition to the income from the roofing customers, Steve Mitchell also received income from an elderly individual for what the elderly individual thought was an investment in a COVID mask-making business.  In 2020 and 2021, Steve Mitchell converted over $4.2 million in checks from the elderly individual into cash.

    The tax evasion counts each carry a maximum potentially penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the charges.

    The government is represented by Assistant U. S. Attorney Casey S. Smith of the Criminal Division in Newark.

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

                                                               ###

    Defense counsel:

    Steve Mitchell:            Michael A. Baldassare, Esq.

    Samuel Mitchell:        Robert Scrivo, Esq.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: MS-13 Gang Member who Led Transnational Fentanyl Distribution Operation from Inside State Prison Sentenced to 17 Years by South Florida Federal Judge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – A district judge in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. has sentenced an MS-13 gang member and leader of a transnational drug trafficking organization (DTO) to 210 months in federal prison for running a fentanyl distribution ring, some of which he did from inside a state prison.

    Mario Clifford Rivera (a/k/a “Chuky”), 32, is a member of MS-13, a designated foreign terrorist organization. From at least 2022, Rivera used the U.S. Postal Service to distribute fentanyl smuggled into the United States from Mexico. The fentanyl’s travel path: over the wall from Mexico to California, then to Florida by mail for distribution by Rivera and the DTO dealers he controlled.  

    In early 2023, while free on bond waiting to report to state prison to serve three years for felon in possession of a firearm, throwing a deadly missile into an occupied vehicle, and aggravated assault crimes, Rivera offered to sell two kilograms of fentanyl to a buyer in Florida, some of which was purchased. Once inside state prison, Rivera continued managing and supervising his DTO. He used prison phones and a contraband cell phone to communicate with his dealers on the outside. Rivera directed them on how to sell fentanyl and what prices to charge, all while making sure that he received his share of the drug proceeds.

    Rivera was responsible in this case for distributing over three kilograms of fentanyl. He pled guilty to drug trafficking charges and will begin serving his federal sentence once he completes his state sentence.   

    “Rivera’s 17-year federal prison sentence should serve as a warning to MS-13 and other terrorist gangs who seek to flood our communities with deadly poisons like fentanyl: Whether you operate on the streets or behind prison walls, we will identify your leaders and members, dismantle your networks, and hold you accountable using the full force of American law,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida.   

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Rinku Tribuiani for the Southern District of Florida prosecuted this case.

    FBI Miami; U.S. Postal Inspection Service Miami Division; DEA Miami Field Division; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Division, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigated it. 

    “The safety of South Florida communities is our top priority,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of FBI Miami. “Shutting down drug trafficking networks like Rivera’s is a key step towards achieving this priority. Our long-standing partnerships with USPIS Miami, DEA Miami, HSI Miami and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office were crucial to this successful investigation. Let this case serve as a warning to MS-13 and other gangs who terrorize communities with violence and sow misery through drug trafficking: these activities will not be tolerated.”

    “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Mail is not used as a tool to distribute dangerous drugs, like fentanyl, to our communities, said Miami Division acting Inspector in Charge Steven L. Hodges. “The sentence handed down should serve as a reminder that we remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to bring those who engage in drug trafficking through the mail to justice.”

    “We and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue and arrest those who flood our communities with illicit, dangerous, and highly-addictive drugs,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “It is our top priority to protect our citizens and get these gang members off our streets.”

    “Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners have a clear message: those who traffic deadly narcotics and endanger our communities through gang violence will face the full force of justice,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Jose Figueroa of HSI Miami Field Division. “HSI remains relentless in dismantling transnational criminal organizations like MS-13 and stopping the flow of fentanyl that continues to devastate families across our nation.”

    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).

    It is also part of an OCDETF operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.

    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 https://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 24-cr-80140.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Meridian Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Prison for Possession of a Machinegun

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jackson, MS – A Meridian, Mississippi, man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for possession of a machinegun.

    According to court documents, Demetriz Romelo Hopson, 25, was found by law enforcement officers in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun that had been equipped with a machinegun conversion device or “switch” while Hopson was attending a football game on the campus of Meridian High School. Hopson pleaded guilty to the charged conduct on January 8, 2025.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement.

    The ATF investigated the case with assistance from the Meridian Schools Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Goff prosecuted the case.

    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).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ringleader of Bank Fraud Conspiracy Case Receives Lengthy Federal Prison Sentence

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SHREVEPORT, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Destane Glass, 24, of Shreveport, has been sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 135 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Glass was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $539,578. In addition, Judge Hicks ordered that Glass’s sentence run consecutive to a 37-month federal prison sentence she is currently serving for Payment Protection Program fraud, making her sentence a total of 172 months (14 years, 4 months).

    According to evidence presented in court, beginning on or about January 1, 2021, and continuing through October 31, 2022, Glass and her co-conspirators conspired to commit bank fraud from USAA Savings Bank (USAA Bank), Navy Federal Credit Union, and JP Morgan Chase Bank. Glass was the ringleader of this conspiracy and directed and recruited others to participate in the scheme to defraud the banks. Glass was indicted, along with 20 other defendants, in April 2024 in connection with this federal bank fraud scheme. 

    USAA Bank was a financial institution whose deposits were insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  Teleperformance was a multinational company that provided a wide variety of business services including operating a call center in Shreveport, Louisiana.  The call center provided customer service for USAA Bank.  Teleperformance employees had access to USAA Bank customer information including, but not limited to, customer names, the age of customers, account balances, and account numbers. Glass was not an employee of Teleperformance but conspired with others who were to execute a scheme to defraud USAA Bank.

    As part of the conspiracy, Glass worked with her co-defendants to improperly obtain account holder information so that the information could be used by Glass to create counterfeit USAA Bank checks. She instructed her co-defendants to target elderly bank customers whose bank accounts held high account balances as they would be less likely to regularly check their accounts. Glass created counterfeit checks on USAA Bank totaling $2,149,621 from accounts accessed by her co-defendants.  After she created the checks, Glass used social media and other methods to recruit individuals in the Shreveport area with bank accounts to use their accounts to deposit the counterfeit checks.

    Once the counterfeit checks were deposited into the accounts, Glass and others, worked to withdraw the funds at various locations to include area casinos. Glass and her co-conspirators would share the proceeds generated from negotiating the counterfeit checks. 

    ZarRajah Z. Watkins, 23, of Shreveport, who also participated in this scheme and was charged as a defendant in this case was sentenced today. Watkins pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $397,930. 

    All of the other defendants charged in this case have now pleaded guilty and received their sentences.

    This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Louisiana State Police and Shreveport Police Department and was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Passaic County Man Admits to Using An Explosive to Damage a Chase Bank ATM

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County man admitted to using an explosive to damage a Chase Bank Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) in Prospect Park, New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

    Nicolas Torres, 42, of Passaic, New Jersey pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Julien X. Neals in Newark federal court to a one-count information charging him with using an explosive to damage real property used in interstate commerce.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    In the early morning hours of July 5, 2022, Torres was captured on surveillance video approaching the Chase Bank ATM in Prospect Park, New Jersey and igniting an item in front of the ATM. Several seconds later, an explosion was seen at the ATM. Torres was seen fleeing the location with two individuals.

    In addition to the surveillance video, cellular phone location data placed Torres in the area of the Chase Bank at the time of the explosion. The investigation also revealed that Torres had traveled to Pennsylvania the day before and purchased approximately $1,000 worth of fireworks.

    The use of an explosive to damage real property used in interstate commerce charge carries a statutory minimum of 5 years in prison, a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for September 9, 2025.

    U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly, and the Prospect Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Rausch, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Vera Varshavsky of the U.S. Attorney’s National Security Unit in Newark. 

                                                               ###

    Defense counsel: Adalgiza A. Núñez, Office of the Public Defender

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: UPDATE 4: Coast Guard federalizes pollution response efforts, Unified Command continues response to discharge near Garden Island Bay, LA

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
    Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
    Office: 504-671-2020
    After Hours: 618-225-9008
    Eighth District online newsroom

     

    Port conditions change based on weather forecasts, and current port conditions can be viewed on the following Coast Guard homeport webpages:

    For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Naples Men Indicted In A Murder-For-Hire Plot

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Jesus Pujol Hernandez (41), Miguel Marquez Romero (29), and Paulo Sabon Montero (54), all of Naples, Florida, with conspiracy to use a facility of interstate commerce to commit murder-for-hire and use of a facility of interstate commerce with intent to commit murder-for-hire. If convicted, each faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

    According to the indictment and evidence presented in court, between April 16 and 17, 2025, Marquez Romero and Sabon Montero discussed over the phone killing an individual that Hernandez had identified for up to $30,000. Hernandez had been hired by the intended victims’ brother to carry out the plot. Marquez Romero, Sabon Montero, and Hernandez exchanged phone calls and organized a meeting to discuss the murder. On April 17, 2025, the conspirators met in a grocery store parking lot in Naples before being apprehended by law enforcement.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Patrick L. Darcey.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Possession of Firearm and Distribution Quantities of PCP Net Felon a 72-Month Prison Sentence

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WASHINGTON – Timothy Eugene Taylor, 36, a previously convicted felon from the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 72-months in prison for being in illegal possession of a semiautomatic pistol and distribution quantities of PCP.

    The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

    Taylor pleaded guilty on Oct. 1, 2024, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon and unlawful possession with intent to distribute phencyclidine (PCP). In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss ordered Taylor to serve three years of supervised release.

    According to court documents, on August 11, 2023, members of the MPD’s Seventh District Crime Suppression Team were patrolling in a marked vehicle along the 300 block of Livingston Terrace, SE. The area is known to be a high-crime area, where crimes with firearms and gunshots are routinely reported. As the officers were driving, they passed Taylor and another male standing on the 4300 block of 3rd St., SE. Taylor was wearing a black satchel across his torso. One of the officers noticed a distinct L-shaped bulge protruding from the satchel.

    The officers made a U-turn to talk with him. As they pulled up, the officers noticed that Taylor had moved the satchel and turned his body to obscure their view of the bag. Officers asked Taylor if he had a gun and if he would fold his bag in half. Taylor replied, “No, I live right here” and pointed to a nearby house. Officers exited their marked car to get a better look at the satchel. Taylor immediately fled into the building. Officers followed, found Taylor standing in front of an apartment door, and cuffed him. An officer opened the satchel and found a loaded Smith and Wesson M&P 9 2.0 9mm, semiautomatic pistol with 21 rounds loaded in its extended magazine. The officer also recovered from the satchel three vials of liquid phencyclidine, commonly known as PCP. The quantity of PCP was indicative of distribution rather than personal use.

    Taylor has a previous felony conviction for illegal possession of a firearm.

    This case was investigated by the MPD’s Seventh District Crime Suppression Team and the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.

    23cr406

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rockford Man Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison for Attempting To Import More Than Half a Kilogram of Fentanyl

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCKFORD — A Rockford man was sentenced today to eleven years in federal prison for attempting to import more than half a kilogram of fentanyl into the United States from Mexico. 

    BENIGNO SANCHEZ, 47, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of attempting to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston imposed the sentence during a hearing in federal court in Rockford.

    Sanchez admitted that in March 2023 he expected a package containing controlled substances to be delivered to him at an address in Rockford via FedEx from Mexico.  Law enforcement agents intercepted the package, which contained more than 500 grams of fentanyl pressed into pills (designed to imitate opioid pills) that were hidden inside a wooden tortilla press.  After detecting the fentanyl inside the package, law enforcement agents removed the drugs and delivered the package to Sanchez.  Once delivered, Sanchez took custody of the package, drove it to another location, and opened it to take possession of what he believed to be the drugs.

    The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago.  The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Ladd. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican national sentenced in drug trafficking conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PLANO, Texas –A Mexican national has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Willy Armando Ramirez-Garcia, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on May 1, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, from January 2021 to May 2021, Ramirez-Garcia was illegally in the United States, but operated as the leader of a methamphetamine trafficking organization in Texas. The group was responsible for smuggling liquid methamphetamine into the U.S. from Mexico by using bladders hidden within diesel tanks of commercial tractor trailers. The liquid methamphetamine would be transported to the North Texas area where it was then converted into crystal methamphetamine. The methamphetamine was stored at a stash house in Dallas where it would be retrieved by couriers for distribution in kilogram quantities.

    In January 2021, the investigation revealed that the drug trafficking organization included a local narcotics broker, Rosa Velasco De Ballin, her source of supply, Ivan Dejesus Suastes-Cruz, and other co-conspirators, operating from a stash house in Dallas, and a ranch in Kemp, where the methamphetamine was “cooked.” Angel Rodriguez-Campuzano was identified as a distributor working for Suastes-Cruz. It was also determined that Suastes-Cruz and co-conspirators, Juan Fuentez and German Zapata, worked at the direction of Ramirez-Garcia. They assisted in transporting and distributing the methamphetamine, finding buyers, and obtaining properties to store and manufacture the methamphetamine. As a result, a search warrant was obtained for the stash house in Dallas, where approximately 40 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine were found. The ranch in Kemp was also searched and a meth conversion lab was discovered. In all, agents seized 66 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 25 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine. For their involvement, these co-defendants were previously sentenced to the following terms of imprisonment: De Ballin – 168 months; Rodriguez-Campuzano-295 months; Suastes-Cruz – 240 months; Fuentez – 300 months; and Zapata – 270 months.

    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).

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, and Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: False disaster relief applications and other fraud lands former Houstonian in federal prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HOUSTON – A 35-year-old woman has been sentenced for conspiracy to commit wire fraud which resulted in approximately $620,000 in losses, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Cora Chantail Custard, who had resided in both Houston and San Antonio over course of the conspiracy, pleaded guilty Sept. 17, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now ordered Custard to serve 57 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $621,388 in restitution. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the sophisticated means in which Custard used social media to advertise her services and defrauded the U.S. government and seven different state agencies.

    From March 2020 until March 2021, Custard conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent loan applications for financial assistance both personally and on behalf of others.

    At the time of the plea, Custard admitted to using her Facebook account to advertise her services to file fraudulent disaster relief applications. Her posts repeatedly described the scheme to her followers as “doing apps,” with the ability to obtain between $6,000 and $8,000 for an application within four to seven days of filing.

    Custard submitted or caused the submission of over 100 fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications, at least 36 of which resulted in advance payments totaling $345,000.

    She also filed at least 30 fraudulent Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster benefit applications related to Hurricane Laura in August 2020 and Hurricane Sally in September 2020. At least 16 of those fraudulent applications resulted payouts totaling approximately $75,000.

    Additionally, Custard committed several other fraudulent acts like filing over 100 false unemployment insurance applications in Michigan, Illinois and several other states for her own and others’ benefits. At least 20 of those fraudulent applications resulted in payments totaling approximately $200,000.

    She was remanded into custody at sentencing.

    The Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General (OIG), IRS Criminal Investigation, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Social Security Administration-OIG, Small Business Administration-OIG and Department of Labor-OIG conducted the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen M. Lansden prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marathon County Woman Sentenced to 2 ½ Years for Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jessica L. Colby, 29, Stratford, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 30 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. This prison term will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Colby pleaded guilty to this charge on January 31, 2025.

    In early 2024, investigators with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a group of individuals who were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Marathon County area. Colby was identified as a facilitator for the group.

    Following a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine involving other co-defendants in March and April 2024, task force officers executed a search warrant a residence that Colby shared with co-defendant Joshua Lake. Officers found approximately 2 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of cocaine, 2 rifles, over $24,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia during the search.

    Further investigation revealed that between January 22, 2024, and April 15, 2024, Colby assisted in the distribution of approximately 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine. Colby assisted by picking up and delivering bulk shipments of drugs – at times on her own, as well as making payments to the cartel-connected sources of supply. In addition, Colby admitted to having her own drug customers.

    At sentencing, Judge Conley weighed the severity of Colby’s conduct, including the large quantities of drugs involved and her active role in the conspiracy, against her lack of a prior criminal record and her extraordinary conduct while on pretrial release.

    Three others were charged in connection with this drug trafficking conspiracy. Mercadys Perkins was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on April 17, 2025. Dustin Brunker was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentenced to 7 years in federal prison on April 24, 2025. Joshua Lake has pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2025.

    The charge against Colby was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the case. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Members and Associates of a Long Island-Based Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted for Narcotics Distribution

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Members of “No Budget” Allegedly Distributed Cocaine and Fentanyl Across Long Island, Perpetrated the March 2023 Killing of a Bay Shore Man and Shooting of a Potential Witness

    Earlier today, at the federal court in Central Islip, an indictment was unsealed charging five members and associates of a Long Island-based drug trafficking organization known as “No Budget” with conspiring to distribute cocaine and fentanyl since 2017.  Nicholas Andrade, Julian Hutchins, Prince Jones, Jose Lopez, and Ryan O’Malley engaged in a years’ long drug trafficking operation transporting fentanyl and 137 kilograms of cocaine across the country for distribution primarily in Long Island and Queens, New York.  Andrade, the leader of the organization, is also charged for his role in the March 9, 2023 murder of Jose Manuel Sosa in Bay Shore and the March 10, 2023 shooting in Queens of a potential witness to the murder.  The four defendants arrested today in New York were arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke who ordered them detained pending trial.  Hutchins was arrested in Florida and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.  If convicted of the charges, the defendants face up to life in prison.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, announced the arrests and charges.

    “As alleged, the defendants participated in the large-scale distribution of deadly narcotics across Long Island and committed crimes of extreme violence to maintain their drug business,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “My Office and our law enforcement partners will continue working tirelessly to eradicate the scourge of fentanyl and drug-related violence on Long Island and the related harm these dangerous drugs pose to our communities.”

    Mr. Durham expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Queens District Attorney’s Office, and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for their work on the case.

    “The indictment against these individuals who ran a drug trafficking organization known as “No Budget” spared no cost at using violence to run their illicit drug distribution of cocaine and fentanyl,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Tarentino.  “Thanks to the hard work and determination of the DEA and our law enforcement partners, we were able to remove 137 kilos of cocaine destined for the streets of Long Island.  The DEA remains committed to protecting our communities”

    As alleged in court filings, since 2017, the defendants carried out the large scale trafficking and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine on Long Island and maintained a series of stash houses in Queens and on Long Island.  Throughout the investigation, phone records and surveillance regularly captured the defendants meeting with one another and exchanging duffle bags, luggage, or other bags in manners consistent with narcotics trafficking.  As a result of court-authorized searches, law enforcement recovered dozens of kilogram wrappers with cocaine residue, kilogram presses used to reshape narcotics, packaging materials, and quantities of fentanyl and cocaine.  On April 27, 2025, law enforcement intercepted a truck travelling from California to New York containing a shipment of 137 kilograms of cocaine destined for No Budget’s distribution operation.  In total, the investigation revealed that the defendants were responsible for the distribution of over 235 kilograms of cocaine and 20 kilograms of fentanyl. 

    In addition to Andrade’s narcotics operation, he directed several violent crimes, including the March 2023 murder of Sosa and the subsequent attempted murder of a potential witness to the murder.  Sosa’s murder was precipitated by a dispute that had escalated over the preceding months between Andrade, Sosa, and another Long Island based drug dealer.  In early March 2023, Andrade and others planned to rob Sosa’s residence.  However, on March 9, 2023, Andrade directed other members of No Budget to kill Sosa.  Later that day, when Sosa was alone in his driveway, the shooter exited a borrowed Audi and shot Sosa multiple times, killing him.  The shooter and getaway driver sped away and the two met up with Andrade.  

    The next day, in an effort to cover up No Budget’s involvement in Sosa’s murder, Andrade and the shooter developed a plan to lure John Doe-1—the owner of the Audi used in the murder—to a location in Queens and kill him.  When John Doe-1 arrived at the location, acting at Andrade’s direction, the shooter had a brief conversation with John Doe-1 in the Audi, and upon exiting the Audi, turned and fired into the vehicle, striking John Doe-1 in the head.  John Doe-1 sustained serious injuries but ultimately survived his wounds. 

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. 

    This case is also 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 other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.

    The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorneys James R. Simmons and Michael R. Maffei are in charge of the prosecution.

    The Defendants:

    NICHOLAS ANDRADE
    Age:  37
    White Plains, New York

    JULIAN HUTCHINS
    Age:  43
    White Plains, New York

    PRINCE JONES
    Age:  36
    Mineola, New York

    JOSE LOPEZ
    Age:  43
    Elmont, New York

    RYAN OMALLEY
    Age:  34
    Port Jefferson Station, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-147 (GRB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cuban National Indicted On Charges Related To Credit Card “Skimming” And Submitting A False Naturalization Application

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Yunier Perez-Bertemati (40) with 22 counts of access device fraud, possessing and trafficking in unauthorized device-making equipment, aggravated identity theft, making a false statement on an immigration application, and making a false statement to a federal agent. If convicted, Perez-Bertemati faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each of the access device fraud counts, 15 years on the device-making equipment counts, 10 years on the count related to making a false statement in his immigration application, and 5 years on the count related to making a false statement to a federal agent, as well as a mandatory sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft counts. The indictment also notifies Perez-Bertemati that the United States intends to forfeit $9,650, which are alleged to be proceeds of the offense.

    According to the indictment, Perez-Bertemati engaged in a series of transactions between November 2023 and January 2025 where he sold counterfeit credit and debit cards containing stolen victim account information. He also sold “skimming” equipment—namely, devices used to appropriate victim credit or debit card information when used at a point-of-sale terminal such as a gas pump or ATM. Further, Perez-Bertemati, a Cuban citizen, recently applied to be a United States citizen but made material misrepresentations on his naturalization application and during an interview with an officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Sowell.

    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).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Idaho Falls Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    POCATELLO – Andrew Clifford Meyer, 36, of Idaho Falls, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today. 

    According to court records, on August 18, 2023, officers contacted Meyer in the Fort Hall Casino parking lot, after receiving reports of a fight.  After locating Meyer’s car, officers observed fentanyl pills through a window.  Officers subsequently searched Meyer’s car and found approximately 12,000 fentanyl pills and a large quantity of cash.  Meyer told officers the pills came from Arizona and admitted to selling fentanyl.

    Meyer pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on September 19, 2024.  Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye also ordered Meyer to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. 

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Hall Police Department and the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Haycock prosecuted the case.

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