NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Several charged in firearms conspiracy linked to weapons at Canadian border

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    HOUSTON – Seven people have been arrested following the return of a nine-count indictment in a conspiracy to provide false information to federal firearms licensed dealers, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Authorities have now taken the final man charged into custody in Chicago. Gemale Sheali, 23, Houston, is expected to make his initial appearance there and will then be ordered to appear for his arraignment in Houston in the near future. 

    The other six – Eddylson Patino, 23, a Mexican citizen illegally residing in Houston, Mozambique citizen Muhammad Dagha, 22, who also illegally resided in Houston, and Abuelgasim Siddig, 23, Omar Farooq, 24, Erik Aguirre, 23, and Andres Ferman, 24, all of Houston – were previously taken into custody and made appearances in federal court.

    According to the charges, the investigation began following the discovery of 68 firearms, including a suppressor, firearm magazines and ammunition, in Neche, North Dakota, along the Canadian border. The indictment alleges some of the Houston-area conspirators had purchased some of the recovered firearms. Further investigation allegedly revealed the conspirators had been acquiring the weapons on behalf of the conspiracy by providing false information to federal firearms licensed dealers. 

    According to the indictment, beginning around 2024, the conspirators acquired firearms by providing false information as to being the actual purchaser to federal firearms licensed dealers. The investigation allegedly linked two guns, respectively recovered in Mexico and Canada, to the conspiracy.

    It is alleged that Patino was responsible for obtaining firearms for later exportation out of the United States, while Dagha recruited conspirators to purchase them on behalf of Patino. Both are charged with conspiracy and aiding and abetting providing false information to federal firearms licensed dealers.

    Siddig, Farooq, Aguirre, Sheali and Ferman are all charged with conspiracy, and providing false information to a federal firearms licensed dealers during the acquisition of firearms

    All seven face up to five years in federal prison on each count as charged and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Houston and Fargo, North Dakota, and Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations, Canadian law enforcement and the Houston Police Department. 

    Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith is prosecuting the case with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lee of the District of North Dakota. 

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Moroccan National Arrested for Being an Illegal Alien in Possession of Ammunition

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BOSTON – A Moroccan national residing in Medford has been charged for unlawfully possessing ammunition as an illegal alien.

    Ayoud Haddad, 24, was charged with one count of unlawful or illegal alien in possession of ammunition. Haddad was arrested yesterday and was ordered detained pending an hearing scheduled for March 17, 2025 in federal court in Worcester. 

    According to the charging documents, Haddad, a Moroccan national, is an alien who was admitted into the United State on or about April 12, 2012, on a B-2 non-immigrant visa. Haddad’s visa was obtained by his parent on his behalf as he was a minor at the time. His visa expired on Oct. 12, 2012. 

    In the afternoon of June 6, 2024, law enforcement responded to several calls reporting shots fired outside a multi-floor apartment complex in Lawrence. Surveillance footage identified one of the vehicles believed to be allegedly involved in the shooting – a white BMW leased to Haddad. Surveillance footage also allegedly identified Haddad as the driver of the vehicle. When stopped by law enforcement on June 8, 2024, Haddad was driving the BMW which authorities had towed. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a rifle with no serial number and 20 pieces of live .223 Remington Bronze full metal jacket rifle rounds under the hood.

    In 2019, Haddad was arrested and charged by the state with carrying a firearm without a license; receiving a firearm with a defaced serial number; possession with intent to distribute a Class D substance; conspiracy to violate the drug laws; and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license. It is alleged that, in or about March 2019, Haddad, was encountered by federal immigration authorities while being held at a correctional facility on these charges because his B-2 visitor visa had expired. According to the charging documents, the firearms charges were dismissed on June 10, 2019 and the remaining charges were dismissed by nolle prosequi on Sept. 4, 2020 after a period of “general continuance.”

    The charge of unlawful or illegal alien in possession of ammunition provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon competition of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; Acting Lawrence Police Chief Millix Bonilla; and Medford Police Chief Jack D. Buckley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Firearms Licensee Sentenced to Prison for Selling Firearms “Off-The-Books”

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MIAMI – A Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) was sentenced on March 13 in a federal court in Fort Pierce for selling firearms “off-the-books.”

    Michael John Pellicione, 76, of Port St. Lucie, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore to 15 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release and a $7,500 fine.

    In December 2024, Pellicione pleaded guilty to five counts of failure of a firearms dealer to keep proper record of a sale, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 922(b)(5) and 914(a)(1)(D). Pellicione was charged by criminal complaint in September 2024 and was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024.

    According to allegations contained in court documents, including a Stipulation of Facts, filed in this matter, Pellicione, was an FFL, dba Mike’s Gun Shop, out of his residence in Port St. Lucie. In April 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents discovered that firearms, linked to sales by Pellicione, were recovered in Canada and Jamaica. After an investigation, ATF determined that Pellicione failed to enter at least six firearms, sold by a law enforcement officer, into his acquisition and disposition (A&D) record. Pellicione admitted that when customers dropped their used firearms off to him, he took pictures of the firearms and then sent them to other interested customers. Pellicione also admitted that he repeated failed to log the used firearms in his A&D book, did not conduct a background check, or require the buyer to fill ATF Forms 4473 for the firearms. In failing to do so, Pellicione also failed to record the name, age, and address of purchasers as required by law.

    Federal law requires an FFL to record, in the A&D book, all the firearms that the FFL receives or makes, and then indicate where each of those firearms are – whether they are still in the FFL’s inventory or where they went if they were sold or transferred. Additionally, the A&D book must include the type of firearm, the make, model, caliber, and serial number, the date and from whom the firearm was received and that person’s address, as well as the name, date, and address of the person to whom the firearm was sold or transferred.

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and Acting Special Agent in Charge John F. Dion Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.

    HSI Fort Pierce and ATF Fort Pierce Field Office investigated this case. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger prosecuted the case.

    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-14055.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dominican Man Sentenced to 33 Months of Imprisonment for Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ramon Medina Colon, age 50, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced on March 14, 2025, to 33 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Julia K. Munley for illegal reentry into the United States.  

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Medina Colon was first ordered removed from the United States in 2007 following his first felony conviction for criminal possession of a loaded firearm.  Thereafter, Medina Colon was discovered and removed from the United States a total of four times, following additional convictions for possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, resisting arrest, and several DUIs.  He was also previously convicted of illegal reentry into the United States in 2012.

    The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Met investigation into illegal gun trade sees two men jailed

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two men have been jailed over their links to the illegal gun trade, following a data-driven investigation by the Met Police.

    Eric Aram, 35 (27.12.89), of Hayes, London, appeared before Isleworth Crown Court. He was sentenced to 21 years and 7 months having been convicted of possessing firearms, as well as supplying cannabis.

    Mohammed Guetfi, 33 (14.02.92), of Green Lanes, Hackney – an associate of Aram – was sentenced to 14 years and 4 months having pleaded guilty to charges of the same charges as Aram.

    Detective Inspector Sam Bennett – who led the investigation – said: “On average, firearms are linked to over a thousand offences on London’s streets each year. Many of the guns used are reactivated pistols, converted by criminal gangs and dealers.

    “Investigators used extensive digital evidence to bring these two offenders to justice. This meant they were able to secure convictions against both men, despite the fact that no guns were found on the defendants themselves.

    “These convictions send out a clear message that the illegal gun trade will not be tolerated in our city.”

    During a warrant as part of a drugs investigation in April 2023, Specialist Crime officers gained access to a flat in Bayswater where they found a converted blank-firing handgun, stashed in a plastic bag.

    Aram’s fingerprints were detected on the pistol in a forensic analysis and his address was subsequently raided in November 2023. There, officers recovered a manual and container for the blank-firing pistol, as well as a drill believed to have been used to convert firearms. One-thousand pounds in cash was also found in a vent in his bedroom.

    Officers made use of extensive digital evidence to bring Guetfi and Aram to justice. Incriminating text messages were found on a phone belonging to Aram, which revealed him to be a prolific gun and cannabis dealer, who converted and sold multiple firearms on the black market.

    Aram was arrested on 7 November 2023 and charged the following day.

    The Operation Yamata team, however, identified Guetfi by his mobile phone downloads, and he was subsequently arrested and charged on 4 January 2024.

    At the trial, Guetfi was asserted by prosecution to be the “right-hand man” of Aram – a statement which was agreed by the Judge.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: VIDEO: Columbia University Student Whose Visa Was Revoked for Supporting Hamas and Terrorist Activities Used CBP Home App to Self-Deport

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Another student who supported Hamas was arrested by ICE HSI for overstaying her student visa.   

    WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that one of the Columbia students who had her student visa revoked for advocating for violence and terrorism self-deported using the CBP Home App and ICE arrested a Palestinian student for overstaying her expired F-1 visa.  

    Ranjani Srinivasan, a citizen and national of India, entered the United States on a F-1 student visa as doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University. Srinivasan was involved in activities supporting Hammas, a terrorist organization. On March 5, 2025, the Department of State revoked her visa. The Department of Homeland Security has obtained video footage of her using the CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11.  

    Another student Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from West Bank, was arrested by ICE HSI Newark officers for overstaying her expired F-1 student visa. Her visa terminated on January 26, 2022, for lack of attendance. Previously, in April 2024 Kordia was arrested for her involvement in pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University in New York City. 

    The below statement is attributable to Secretary Noem:  

    “It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. I am glad to see one of the Columbia University terrorist sympathizers use the CBP Home app to self-deport.” 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard conducts joint operation to disrupt illicit maritime activity in Philadelphia

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    03/14/2025 03:52 PM EDT

    PHILADELPHIA — A Coast Guard law enforcement team from Sector Delaware Bay led a joint operation with partner agencies to ensure compliance with federal regulations at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, Tuesday.

    For more information follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chinese National Sentenced for Smuggling Turtles from the United States to Hong Kong

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Defendant Smuggled Thousands of Turtles Worth Millions of Dollars in Illegal Pet Trade

    Sai Keung Tin, also known as Ricky Tin, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for his role in smuggling protected turtles from the United States to Hong Kong. Tin pleaded guilty in December to four counts of exporting merchandise contrary to law. 

    According to the government’s filed sentencing memorandum and evidence presented during today’s hearing, Tin, a Chinese citizen, aided and abetted turtle smugglers in the United States from February 2018 to June 2023. During that time, Tin trafficked approximately 2,100 turtles to three addresses in Hong Kong for the illegal Asian pet trade. Based on a conservative, contemporary market valuation of $2,000 per turtle, the smuggled reptiles were valued at $4.2 million.  

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agents arrested Tin on Feb. 25, 2024, on his arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. On March 8, 2024, a grand jury indicted Tin on the present charges, which focused on four packages shipped in June 2023 containing 40 eastern box turtles. USFWS wildlife inspectors at an international mail facility in Torrance, California, intercepted the packages which were falsely labeled as containing almonds and chocolate cookies. Three of the packages contained between eight and 12 live eastern box turtles each, all bound in socks to restrict movement to avoid alerting authorities. The fourth package contained seven live eastern box turtles and one dead one. 

    USFWS agents obtained a search warrant to seize Tin’s cell phones, which indicated that Tin came to the United States to smuggle turtles. He planned to travel to New Jersey, Texas, and Washington — familiarizing himself with tourist locations to present a false story if apprehended. His ultimate plan was to pay for turtles in cash, ship turtles around the country, and eventually, illegally export them to Hong Kong. He had detailed information on how to soak turtles to reduce odors and bind them in socks with tape, all to avoid detection.

    Tin was associated with international turtle smuggler Kang Juntao, of Hangzhou City, China, who was extradited from Malaysia in 2019 and later sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to money laundering. Kang caused at least 1,500 turtles — with a market value exceeding $2.25 million — to be shipped from the United States to Hong Kong, including to Tin.

    Tin trafficked primarily eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), a subspecies of the common box turtle and native to the United States. Turtles with colorful markings are highly prized pets, particularly in China and Hong Kong, and are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). China and the Unites States are parties to CITES.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally for the Central District of California, and Assistant Director Douglas Ault of the USFWS’ Office of Law Enforcement made the announcement.

    The USFWS investigated this case with assistance from Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.

    Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors and Trial Attorney Lauren Steele of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dennis Mitchell for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 16 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Charges

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

    COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man and Guatemalan native was sentenced today to 192 months in federal prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

    According to public court documents, Wilton Omar Garcia-Castillo, 19, distributed 500 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in June 2024. Two days later, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Garcia-Castillo’s Council Bluffs residence and located 27 pounds of methamphetamine along with a loaded firearm, an extended firearm magazine, digital scales, and more than $4,000.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Garcia-Castillo will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa Department of Public Safety–Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Council Bluffs Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Iowa State Patrol.

    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Tampa, Fla. – On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader, chief of operations and the Delegated Committee Emir – Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, alias “Abu Khadijah”, and one other ISIS operative.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USAF, ROKAF and USN F-35s integrate during FS25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    OSAN AIR BASE, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], South Korea — U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs joined a U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II for integration training during Freedom Shield 25, Mar. 13, 2025.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for 6 ½ Years for Possessing 20 Pounds of Methamphetamine Destined for Distribution

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PIERRE – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a San Diego, California, man convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on March 12, 2025.

    Leobardo Vega , age 32, was sentenced to six years and six months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, $1,000 fine, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Vega was indicted for Posssession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in August 2023. He pleaded guilty on December 4, 2024.

    On September 30, 2022, Vega was involved in a traffic stop on Interstate 90 near Murdo, South Dakota. During the search of the vehicle law enforcement found 20 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle. Vega admitted he was transporting the methamphetamine from California to Minnesota where it would be further distributed by others.

    This case was investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cheektowaga man charged with attempted sex trafficking and cocaine possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Darryl Lamont Paul, a/k/a Darryl Lamont, 59, of Cheektowaga, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempted sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that for the last 25 years, Lamont has owned NoLimit Entertainment (NLE), a company that provides entertainment, including nude dancers and topless bartenders, for parties such as stags and birthdays. Throughout the years, Lamont has maintained a friendship and business relationship with the owner of Pharoah’s Gentleman’s Club, with the two men sharing employees. Lamont would recruit young vulnerable women from Pharoah’s to work for NLE, and he would also refer young women to Pharoah’s for additional employment.

    According to the complaint, in early July 2024, Lamont invited a 19-year-old woman (victim), to his residence to audition for NLE. During the audition, Lamont instructed the victim to strip completely naked so he could inspect her body. After her audition, Lamont invited the victim to “shadow” at stag party, where she observed two dancers engaging in sexual activity with each other.  

    Lamont also arranged for the victim to audition at an area strip club. After the audition, he took her back to his apartment for “training.” While there, Lamont forced the victim to snort cocaine and drink alcohol. The victim observed Lamont with what appeared to be a large quantity of cocaine. According to the victim, Lamont said that working for him would make her a lot of money and that he knew a lot of important people. He also claimed to know the names of the victim’s family members. The victim believed Lamont told her these things to intimidate her. Lamont also had the victim sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) prohibiting her from telling anyone anything that occurred at Lamont’s house or the stag parties. When the victim told Lamont that she was felt extremely uncomfortable and no longer wanted  to work for NLE, Lamont threatened that if she did not work for him, then she would not be allowed to work at the strip club.

    Lamont made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was held pending a detention hearing on March, 18, 2025.

    The complaint is a 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: Former Antioch Police Officer Found Guilty Of Deprivation Of Civil Rights And Falsification Of Records

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OAKLAND – A federal jury today convicted former Antioch police officer Morteza Amiri of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of falsification of records.  The jury’s verdict followed an eight-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White.  

    Amiri, 33, was previously employed as a police officer with the Antioch Police Department.  According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Amiri, a K-9 handler, deployed his K-9 to bite suspects even when it was not necessary.  Amiri kept a running bite count that he celebrated with other officers.  Amiri also took photographs of the dog bites and shared them with other officers, stating in one text message that “gory pics are for personal stuff” and “cleaned up pics for the case.”

    “Morteza Amiri violated the oath he swore to protect the people of Antioch.  He flouted his duty as a police officer, misused his police dog, and inflicted unnecessary and excessive force against the victim.  This appalling conduct erodes public trust in law enforcement.  And it weakens law enforcement’s ability to carry out its primary mission of public safety.  As today’s jury verdict makes clear, officers who put themselves above the law will be held accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins.  

    “Today’s guilty verdict against Morteza Amiri sends a clear message: no one is above the law, especially those sworn to uphold it.  Amiri’s actions betrayed the trust of the community and undermined the integrity of law enforcement,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani.  “The FBI remains committed to holding accountable any officer who violates their oath and deprives citizens of their constitutional rights. The people of Antioch, and communities everywhere, deserve better.”

    According to the evidence at trial, on July 24, 2019, Amiri pulled over and stopped a bicyclist identified as A.A., who, according to Amiri, did not have his bicycle light on.  Amiri approached A.A., punched and took the victim to the ground, and then called for his K-9 to bite the victim.  As a result, A.A. sustained injuries.  At the time, Amiri was accompanied by a police officer with a neighboring agency as a ride-along, and that officer assisted with the deployment of the K-9.  Afterwards, Amiri shared pictures of the victim’s wounds with other Antioch police officers.  One officer responded, “Yeah buddy good boy,” referring to the K-9, and “Lol you bit [A.A.].”  In response to a question from another officer about what cut the dog’s face, Amiri responded, “that’s a piece of the suspect’s flesh lol.”  

    Amiri later wrote to the officer who accompanied him on the ride-along, “you got to see [the K-9] in action lol,” and stated that detectives got the victim “a 45 day violation and we are gonna leave it at that so i don’t go to court for the bite. Easy,” referring to the victim going into custody for a parole/probation violation.  Amiri then falsified a police report of the incident, stating that one of the reasons he deployed his K-9 was because he was alone, when instead the ride-along police officer was with him at the time and had helped Amiri deploy the K-9.

    The jury convicted Amiri of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242 and one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519.  The jury acquitted Amiri of one count of conspiracy against rights in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 241 and two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 242.  

    Amiri was previously convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud following a jury trial in August 2024.  

    Amiri is scheduled to appear on March 18, 2025, for a hearing on whether to remand him to custody pending sentencing, and on June 3, 2025, for sentencing.  He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison on the count of deprivation of rights under color of law and 20 years in prison on the count of falsification of records.  Any sentence will be imposed by the Court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

    The case is being prosecuted by the National Security & Special Prosecutions Section and the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office.  This prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. 

    These civil rights charges against Amiri were brought as part of an investigation into the Antioch and Pittsburgh police departments that resulted in multiple charges against 10 current and former officers and employees of these two police departments for various crimes ranging from the use of excessive force to fraud.  The status of these cases, all of which are before Senior U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White, is below:

    Case Name and Number Statute(s)

    Defendant

    (Bold: multiple case numbers)

    		 Status

    Fraud

    23-cr-00264

    		 18 U.S.C. §§ 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; 1343 (Wire Fraud) Patrick Berhan Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 24-cr-157 on 9/5/24
    Morteza Amiri Convicted at trial 8/8/24, sentencing pending
    Amanda Theodosy a/k/a Nash Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release 11/15/24
    Samantha Peterson Sentenced to time served, 3 years supervised release 4/24/24
    Ernesto Mejia-Orozco Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 9/19/24
    Brauli Jalapa Rodriguez Sentenced to 3 months custody, 3 years supervised release on 10/25/24

    Obstruction

    23-cr-00267

    		 18 U.S.C. §§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations); 1512(c)(2) (Obstruction of Official Proceedings); 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Timothy Manly Williams Pleaded guilty 11/28/23, status conference 4/15/25

    Steroid Distribution

    23-cr-00268

    		 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids), 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Daniel Harris Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 4/15/25

    21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1), and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids);

    18 U.S.C.§ 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations)

    		 Devon Wenger Trial set for 4/28/25

    Civil Rights

    23-cr-00269

    		 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law); § 1519 (Destruction, Alteration, and Falsification of Records in Federal Investigations) Morteza Amiri Convicted at trial 3/14/25 on counts 2 and 5, sentencing set for 6/3/25
    18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Eric Rombough Pleaded guilty 1/14/25, status conference 4/22/25
    18 U.S.C. §§ 241 (Conspiracy Against Rights), 242 (Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law) Devon Wenger Pending

    Steroid Distribution

    24-cr-00157

    		 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(E)(i) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids) Patrick Berhan Sentenced to 30 months custody, 2 years supervised release concurrent with 23-cr-264 on 9/5/24

    Bank fraud

    24-cr-00502

    		 18 U.S.C. § 1344(1), (2) (Bank fraud) Daniel Harris Pleaded guilty 9/17/24, status conference 4/15/25

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Western District of Texas Exceeds 200 New Immigration Cases in 4 Days

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – Acting United States Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced today, that federal prosecutors in the district filed 215 immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from March 10 through March 13.

    In Austin, several individuals were charged with illegal reentry after deportation, after being found in local area jails. Among those were Ricardo Hernandez-Hernandez, a Mexican national who had allegedly been previously removed from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions and had been convicted of indecency with a child sexual contact and failure to register as a sex offender; Andres Garcia-Saldana, a Mexican national who had allegedly been previously removed from the United States on four occasions and had been convicted of intoxication assault with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury and driving while intoxicated three times—the third time being a felony conviction; Hernan Vasquez-Medina, a Mexican national who had allegedly been removed from the United States three times before and had been convicted of making a terroristic threat and driving while intoxicated three times—like Garcia-Saldana, Vasquez-Medina’s third DWI was charged as a felony as well; and Jaime Ricardo Lopez-Rojas, a Mexican national who had allegedly been removed from the United States a total eight times and had been convicted of illegal entry twice, illegal reentry after deportation four times, driving while intoxicated three times, and family violence assault causing bodily injury.

    In the Midland-Odessa area, two individuals with prior federal convictions were found in local area jails and were charged with illegal entry after deportation. Mexican national Saul Villalobos-Vasquez was allegedly removed from the United States once before and convicted in the Eastern District of Texas for unauthorized use of a social security number for which he had been sentenced to 12-months imprisonment in 2016.  Daniel Olivas-Nieto, also a Mexican national, had been allegedly removed from the United States and was previously convicted in the Western District of Texas for the illegal transportation of aliens for financial gain, for which he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

    These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.

    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 (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Felon Arrested and Charged After Being Found with Defaced 9mm Handgun, Ammunition, and Illegal Machine Gun Conversion Device

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced today that Chris Pham, 21, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was charged yesterday by criminal complaint with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. A detention hearing in federal court is scheduled for March 20, 2025.

    According to court documents, on March 12, 2025, law enforcement encountered Pham and found he was carrying a fully loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun with a defaced serial number. Pham was also carrying an additional magazine with 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition. During a search of Pham’s residence, law enforcement recovered a machine gun conversion device designed to turn a semiautomatic handgun into a fully automatic handgun. Law enforcement previously located an Instagram video showing Pham firing a fully automatic handgun into the air in public.

    If convicted of the charged offense, Pham faces up to fifteen years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

    The charge in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Honolulu Police Department.

    It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara D. Ayabe.

    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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Duluth Felon Sentenced to Over 13 Years in Narcotics Trafficking Case

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    MINNEAPOLIS – A Duluth felon was sentenced yesterday to 167 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, on February 19, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence of Diaunte Jevon Shields, 44, in Duluth, Minnesota. Inside his apartment, officers discovered over a kilogram of fentanyl, a pound of methamphetamine, and hundreds of grams of cocaine in Shields’s apartment—with a gun and loaded magazine in the same cooler. Officers also found other evidence of narcotics trafficking inside the apartment, including cutting agents, and packing materials. Law enforcement found another kilogram-plus of cocaine in a FedEx box intended for Shields. In total, Shields had over $33,000 in cash on his person when police arrested him.

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office proudly serves all of Minnesota, from our big cities to our small towns,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Defendant Shields trafficked deadly poison to our community in Duluth—and now will be off the streets for well more than a decade.”

    On August 22, 2024, Shields pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine with intent to distribute. He was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Duluth Police Department, with assistance from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Hickman, Kentucky Man Charged with Federal Narcotics and Firearms Offenses

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Paducah, KY –A federal criminal complaint and arrest warrant was issued this week charging a Hickman, Kentucky man with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the ATF Louisville Field Division, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the Pittsburgh Division, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations Nashville, and Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott of the DEA Louisville Field Division made the announcement.

    According to court records, on or about and between October 20, 2023, and March 11, 2025, Christopher Tyler Wilson, 31, conspired to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. On March 11, 2025, agents obtained a search warrant for two USPS packages addressed to Wilson at his residence. Inside the packages, they located a large amount of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills. When Wilson came to the post office to retrieve the packages, a firearm was in plain view in the vehicle. Wilson was prohibited from possessing a firearm because he had previously been convicted of the following felony offenses.

    On April 22, 2021, in Hickman Circuit Court, Wilson was convicted of first-degree unlawful imprisonment and assault under extreme emotional disturbance.

    A search warrant was later executed at Wilson’s residence resulting in the seizure of additional suspected counterfeit Adderall pills, suspected fentanyl pills packaged for sale, suspected Xanax bars, and suspected crystal methamphetamine. Agents also located a large amount of U.S. currency, a money counter, a digital scale, an empty pistol box with ammunition, and a suspected firearm suppressor.

    Wilson made an initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky on March 12, 2025. Wilson was ordered detained pending trial. If convicted on the charges in the complaint, Wilson faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is being investigated by the ATF Paducah Satellite Office, the U.S. Postal Inspectors Service Bowling Office, the HSI Bowling Green Office, and the DEA Paducah Post of Duty, with assistance from the Kentucky State Police, the Hickman Police Department, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigh Ann Dycus, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, is prosecuting the case.

    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.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Nashville Man on Bond for Attempted Murder Arrested for Federal Firearms Violation

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    NASHVILLE – A criminal complaint charges Adrees Bumphus with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced Robert E. McGuire, Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    According to court documents, Bumphus was on bond for Attempted First Degree Murder, Felonious Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Theft over $10,000, and Evading Arrest and other charges when police attempted to stop a car he was traveling in on March 12, 2025. The car fled from police at high speed and had to be stopped using spike strips. Once the car was immobilized, the complaint alleges that Bumphus fled from officers on foot before being apprehended. Once in police custody, officers recovered a firearm in his waistband and three more firearms in a backpack he was wearing. Bumphus was convicted in Cannon County for distribution of heroin in 2019, is on 12 years of Community Corrections from that case, and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

    After his initial arrest by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) for his flight and firearm possession on March 12, 2025, Bumphus made bond again and was released on March 13, 2025. On the morning of March 14, 2025, officers of the MNPD TITANS team and federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) arrested Bumphus for the second time in forty-eight hours. 

    If convicted, Bumphus faces up to fifteen years in federal prison for the firearms offense.

    “Our Operation Bond Watch was created to keep those out on bond for violent felonies from re-arming themselves and putting our citizens at risk,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “If local jurisdictions see it fit to put those charged with attempted murder on bond, and then release them again and again after re-arrests, we will seek to intervene federally to protect our community.”

    “We are working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to hold accountable those persons who pose a real danger to Nashvillians,” Chief John Drake said. “Convicted felons with guns demand precision-like attention. Mr. Bumphus is getting just that.”

    “ATF Nashville in partnership with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department remain committed to combatting violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz. “As part of Operation Bond Watch, dangerous criminals like this will continue to be brought to justice.”

    This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire is prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: James Island Man Charged for Arson of a N. Charleston Tesla Charging Station

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, of James Island has been arrested on criminal charges related to an arson at a North Charleston Tesla charging station.

    The complaint alleges that on March 7, the North Charleston Police Department and North Charleston Fire Department responded to a Tesla charging station on Tanger Outlet Boulevard to reports of an arson. Witnesses reported that a man spray painted in red paint, “F*ck Trump” and “Long Live Ukraine” in a Tesla charging station parking spot. The man then pulled out five incendiary explosive devices, commonly known Molotov cocktails, and threw them at the Tesla chargers, damaging the chargers. Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the arson and identified a defendant, Daniel Clarke-Pounder. He was arrested last night and arraigned this afternoon in federal court.

    “While we will defend the public’s right to peaceful protest, we will not hesitate to act when protest crosses the line into violence and mayhem. These kinds of attacks have no place in our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “We are grateful for the prompt response of our first responders and law enforcement. We must remain united in our commitment to safety and respect for all, regardless of political differences.”

    “We’re very proud of the response from our Special Agents and the collaborative effort on this investigation between ATF, the North Charleston Police Department, and the North Charleston Fire Department,” said Special Agent in Charge Bennie Mims. “Our Certified Fire Investigators played an especially critical role here in identifying the evidence that led us to the suspect. Our fire investigation program proved to be an important factor in the outcome of this investigation and we’re grateful to have played a part in bringing this individual to justice.”

    Clarke-Pounder faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. He is currently detained pending a detention hearing and preliminary hearing scheduled for March 17 at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Gordon Baker.

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the North Charleston Police Department, and the North Charleston Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cole Shannon and Everett McMillian are prosecuting the case. 

    All charges in the complaint are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Twice Convicted Felon Indicted and Ordered Detained for Alleged Possession of a 9 mm Pistol

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

            WASHINGTON – An indictment was unsealed yesterday in federal court in Washington D.C. charging Kelon Von Dukes, 20, with being a convicted felon in illegal possession a firearm and ammunition.

            The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward Martin Jr., Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

            According to court documents, on March 1, 2025, at 5:25 p.m., members of the MPD’s Seventh District Special Missions Unit were on patrol in the Seventh District. They were in full uniform in a fully marked cruiser near 4700 South Capitol Street SE. As officers drove on the 400 Block of Southern Avenue SE, they observed a man standing near a gas station smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette. When the man noticed the officers, he allegedly fled and tossed the cigarette and a black bag.

            Officers pursued and apprehended the man on the 400 block of Southern Avenue. During a pat-down, an officer noted a solid, L-shaped object in the man’s left front pocket. It is alleged that the object was a loaded semi-automatic pistol that had been reported stolen.

            The man later was identified as Kelon Von Dukes, who has two prior felony convictions for carrying a pistol without a license and was on supervised probation at the time of his March 1 arrest.

            On March 11, Dukes was ordered to be detained pending trial by Magistrate Judge G. Michael Harvey.

            This case is being investigated by the MPD and the ATF. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle McWaters.

            The case is being prosecuted as part of Make D.C. Safe Again, a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin to address gun violence in the District of Columbia.

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

    View Dukes Indictment here: 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Leaders of Los Zetas, a Violent Mexican Drug Cartel, Arraigned on Drug Trafficking, Firearm, and Money Laundering Charges

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Mexican nationals and former leaders of the Los Zetas cartel were arraigned today in Washington, D.C., on charges of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise that involved multiple murder conspiracies, conspiring to manufacture and distribute large quantities of cocaine and marijuana destined for the United States, using firearms — including a machinegun — during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes, and conspiring to launder monetary instruments.

    According to court documents, Miguel Trevino Morales, also known as Z-40, Zeta40, and 40, age 52, and Omar Trevino Morales, also known as 42 and Z-42, age 48, ascended to the highest level of leadership in Los Zetas, a violent cartel comprised of former Mexican military officers that began as an armed militaristic wing of the Gulf Cartel. Miguel Trevino Morales allegedly took over leadership of Los Zetas in October 2012 until his arrest by Mexican authorities in 2013, at which point, his brother, Omar Trevino Morales, allegedly assumed primary leadership of the cartel until his arrest by Mexican authorities in 2015. After their arrests, the defendants allegedly renamed Los Zetas to Cartel del Noreste (CDN) and continued to control the cartel while incarcerated in Mexico. Through the date of the fifth superseding indictment, CDN allegedly continued Los Zetas’ criminal drug trafficking activities and acts of violence including murders, assaults, kidnappings, assassinations, and acts of torture. On Feb. 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of State designated CDN as a foreign terrorist organization.

    “The Criminal Division is dedicated to achieving the Attorney General’s goal of the Total Elimination of Cartels,” said Supervisory Official Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As alleged, former Zetas cartel leaders Z-40 and Z-42 engaged in conspiracies to kill members of the Mexican government, Mexican citizens, members of rival cartels, members of the Guatemalan government, and Guatemalan drug traffickers. We will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States violent transnational criminals and leaders of cartels and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad and for the large amounts of dangerous drugs that devastate our communities.”

    “As alleged, the defendants represent some of the world’s most vicious cartel leaders, who oversaw Los Zetas’ reign of terror with grotesque impunity and ruthlessness, and a sheer disregard for anything beyond their wealth, power, and control,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso of ICE Homeland Security Investigations New York. “I commend ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Task Force for consistently proving itself as a formidable opponent against cartels intent on causing harm. We will use whatever means necessary to protect the safety and security of Americans from threats both here and abroad.”

    The defendants are charged with one count each of continuing a criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana for importation into the United States, use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking crimes, and international money laundering conspiracy. As part of the continuing criminal enterprise count, the defendants are alleged to have engaged in conspiracies to kill members of the Mexican government, Mexican citizens, members of rival cartels, members of the Guatemalan government, and Guatemalan drug traffickers. Because the defendants are charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, they face a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.    

    The defendants were subject to longstanding U.S. extradition requests, that were not honored during the prior Administration, but the Mexican government elected to transfer to the current U.S. government in response to the Justice Department’s efforts pursuant to President Trump’s and the Attorney General’s leadership against Mexican drug cartels. On Feb. 27, the defendants were transferred by Mexican authorities to the United States.   

    The Drug Enforcement Administration, ICE HSI, and the FBI are investigating the case.

    Acting Deputy Chief Melanie Alsworth and Trial Attorneys Jayce Born and Kirk Handrich of the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Wang for the Eastern District of New York, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas are prosecuting the 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 Neighborhoods (PSN).

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Department of Justice Dismisses Biden-Era Lawsuit Against Alabama in order to have more Secure Elections

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    Today, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a dismissal of the complaint in United States v. Alabama. The previous administration had filed the action in 2024 after the Secretary of State in Alabama had taken steps to remove ineligible alien voters from their voter rolls in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.   

    “States are required to maintain accurate voting rolls and remove ineligible voters,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mac Warner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This Administration supports the efforts of states like Alabama that engage in voting security measures that ensure only citizens are voting in our elections. We are dismissing this case from the prior Administration to permit Alabama the time and space to develop a legal, efficient, and effective process to remove noncitizens from their voting roll and secure the vote for their citizens in upcoming elections.”

    In mid-August 2025, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced a “process to remove non-citizens registered to vote in Alabama,” citing over 3,200 people who he said registered to vote and were not U.S. citizens. The stipulated notice of dismissal filed today ends the lawsuit brought by the prior administration challenging that procedure. Because of that lawsuit, Alabama was forced to cease its process in 2024.

    By ending the Department of Justice’s action against them, Alabama should now have the opportunity develop a new process to ensure that ineligible voters are removed from its voter rolls, as it is required to do under Section 8 of the NVRA.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Illinois Doctor Pleads Guilty to Evading Approximately $1.6M in Taxes

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    An Illinois doctor pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion for hiding assets and lying to the IRS about his ability to pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Krishnaswami Sriram was a medical doctor who resided in Lake Forest. From approximately 2011 to 2017, Sriram evaded payment of approximately $1.6 million he owed to the IRS. Among other steps, Sriram transferred ownership, in name only, of two rental properties from himself to his children without their knowledge, even though he continued to receive income from these properties. He also transferred approximately $600,000 from bank accounts he controlled in the United States to accounts in India. To fraudulently reduce the money he owed the IRS, Sriram submitted documents to the IRS that omitted an investment account in the United States, bank and investment accounts in India, and ownership of the rental properties.

    In total, Sriram caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1.6 million.

    As part of the plea, Sriram also admitted that, between February 2012 and January 2022, he caused false billing to Medicare for episodes of in-home physician care, which he purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries on dates when those beneficiaries resided at inpatient facilities other than their homes or were deceased. Sriram’s false statements in medical records relating to these episodes of care resulted in false billing to Medicare in the amount of $136,980.36.

    Sriram is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Victor Yanz, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Businessman Sentenced for Tax and Investment Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    A Virginia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for tax crimes and his wire fraud scheme.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Rick Tariq Rahim, of Great Falls, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller. From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings.

    Between October 2010 and October 2012, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay all the taxes due. When the IRS attempted to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim submitted a false statement that omitted valuable assets he owned, including a helicopter, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, and real estate in Great Falls. Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of the Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank. Rahim has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.

    In total, Rahim caused a loss to the IRS of at least $4.4 million.

    Rahim also defrauded customers who invested using his automated trading bots and by “copying” Rahim’s supposed trading activities that he posted to Discord. He marketed his products on websites named BotsforWealth, TradeAutomation, ProChartSignals, OptionCopier, CopyAndWin, SnipeAlgo, and QQQtrade. Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots and other software, and to copy his supposed trades. Rahim also offered a “lifetime membership” to which customers received access to Rahim’s private Discord channel, some of his products, and his “in-office” trading days. Rahim personally traded stocks for at least two individuals, claiming “We’ll hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often.” Instead, Rahim lost over $300,000 of his clients’ funds in eight months. 

    Rahim induced customers to subscribe to his products by using social media tools, including TikTok, YouTube, and Discord. He also sought to induce customers by claiming he was extremely wealthy, boasting about trading millions of dollars and posting about his large home, pool, and luxury cars, including his Lamborghini. He posted false information to his websites and to his social media accounts claiming to “beat the stock market every day” and promising extreme profit margins. His claim of regularly beating the market was exaggerated. In reality, he did not post his trades that lost money. In fact, Rahim realized over $500,000 in losses from February 2021 through December 2022, and did not earn millions in the market during this time period as he had claimed. As part of his fraud scheme, Rahim also created at least 20 Discord user profiles where he posted emojis, likes, and symbols showing agreement and excitement regarding Rahim’s posts. Rahim earned at least $1,397,000 in subscription fees during the course of his schemes.

    In addition to Rahim’s prison sentence, he agreed to forfeit over $1.3 million and must pay restitution to the IRS and to his investment fraud victims.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated Rahim’s tax fraud and FBI investigated his investment fraud. The case was consolidated for sentencing.

    Trial Attorneys William Montague and Ashley Stein of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted Rahim for his tax fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shartar prosecuted Rahim for his investment fraud.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of ‘764’ Network Sentenced for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    Jack Rocker, 19, of Tampa, was sentenced to serve 84 months in federal prison for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) followed by a lifetime of supervised release. The court also ordered Rocker to forfeit an iPhone 12, thumb drive, and Acer Laptop, all of which possessed CSAM. Rocker will also have to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to the victims.

    Rocker pleaded guilty on Dec. 16, 2024. According to court filings, Rocker was a member of “764” a network of violent online extremists who engage in criminal conduct within the United States and abroad, in furtherance of political, social, or religious goals that derive primarily from a hatred of society at large and a desire to bring about its collapse by sowing indiscriminate chaos, destruction, and social instability. These extremists work individually or as part of a network with these goals of destroying civilized society through the corruption and exploitation of vulnerable populations, which often include minors. 764 uses known online social media communications platforms, as mediums to support the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and CSAM.

    On Jan. 19, 2024, the FBI conducted a search of Rocker’s residence located in the Middle District of Florida. The FBI seized Rocker’s iPhone, thumb drive, and Acer laptop. At this time, the FBI has determined that Rocker’s devices contain over 8,300 images and videos of CSAM, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, masochistic sexual behavior, and bestiality.

    This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Illinois Doctor Pleads Guilty to Evading Approximately $1.6M in Taxes

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    An Illinois doctor pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion for hiding assets and lying to the IRS about his ability to pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Krishnaswami Sriram was a medical doctor who resided in Lake Forest. From approximately 2011 to 2017, Sriram evaded payment of approximately $1.6 million he owed to the IRS. Among other steps, Sriram transferred ownership, in name only, of two rental properties from himself to his children without their knowledge, even though he continued to receive income from these properties. He also transferred approximately $600,000 from bank accounts he controlled in the United States to accounts in India. To fraudulently reduce the money he owed the IRS, Sriram submitted documents to the IRS that omitted an investment account in the United States, bank and investment accounts in India, and ownership of the rental properties.

    In total, Sriram caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1.6 million.

    As part of the plea, Sriram also admitted that, between February 2012 and January 2022, he caused false billing to Medicare for episodes of in-home physician care, which he purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries on dates when those beneficiaries resided at inpatient facilities other than their homes or were deceased. Sriram’s false statements in medical records relating to these episodes of care resulted in false billing to Medicare in the amount of $136,980.36.

    Sriram is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Victor Yanz, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Virginia Businessman Sentenced for Tax and Investment Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A Virginia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for tax crimes and his wire fraud scheme.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Rick Tariq Rahim, of Great Falls, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller. From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings.

    Between October 2010 and October 2012, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay all the taxes due. When the IRS attempted to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim submitted a false statement that omitted valuable assets he owned, including a helicopter, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, and real estate in Great Falls. Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of the Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank. Rahim has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.

    In total, Rahim caused a loss to the IRS of at least $4.4 million.

    Rahim also defrauded customers who invested using his automated trading bots and by “copying” Rahim’s supposed trading activities that he posted to Discord. He marketed his products on websites named BotsforWealth, TradeAutomation, ProChartSignals, OptionCopier, CopyAndWin, SnipeAlgo, and QQQtrade. Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots and other software, and to copy his supposed trades. Rahim also offered a “lifetime membership” to which customers received access to Rahim’s private Discord channel, some of his products, and his “in-office” trading days. Rahim personally traded stocks for at least two individuals, claiming “We’ll hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often.” Instead, Rahim lost over $300,000 of his clients’ funds in eight months. 

    Rahim induced customers to subscribe to his products by using social media tools, including TikTok, YouTube, and Discord. He also sought to induce customers by claiming he was extremely wealthy, boasting about trading millions of dollars and posting about his large home, pool, and luxury cars, including his Lamborghini. He posted false information to his websites and to his social media accounts claiming to “beat the stock market every day” and promising extreme profit margins. His claim of regularly beating the market was exaggerated. In reality, he did not post his trades that lost money. In fact, Rahim realized over $500,000 in losses from February 2021 through December 2022, and did not earn millions in the market during this time period as he had claimed. As part of his fraud scheme, Rahim also created at least 20 Discord user profiles where he posted emojis, likes, and symbols showing agreement and excitement regarding Rahim’s posts. Rahim earned at least $1,397,000 in subscription fees during the course of his schemes.

    In addition to Rahim’s prison sentence, he agreed to forfeit over $1.3 million and must pay restitution to the IRS and to his investment fraud victims.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated Rahim’s tax fraud and FBI investigated his investment fraud. The case was consolidated for sentencing.

    Trial Attorneys William Montague and Ashley Stein of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted Rahim for his tax fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shartar prosecuted Rahim for his investment fraud.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Customs and Border Protection Officer Sentenced for Abducting and Sexually Assaulting a Minor Victim

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Aaron Thomas Mitchell, 30, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for abducting a 15-year-old female middle school student, driving her to his apartment, and repeatedly sexually assaulting her.

    According to the evidence presented at trial, Mitchell found the child waiting for school to start, introduced himself as a law enforcement officer, and ordered the child into his car. Mitchell then restrained the child’s hands and feet with handcuffs and drove her nearly an hour away to his apartment.

    At his apartment, Mitchell forced the victim into his bedroom, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the course of several hours, before he returned the victim to an alley near the middle school.

    An examination of Mitchell’s cellphone revealed that he conducted numerous searches regarding rape, how to stop someone from screaming, and how long it takes to smother someone.

    “As we work to secure the southern border, it is essential that our law enforcement officers remain above reproach and are trusted by the people they protect,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona. “This sentence shows that if anyone abuses their position of authority, they will face the harshest consequences available. And while we can never undo the pain inflicted by this defendant on the victim, we are proud to see that justice has been served.”

    “This sentence underscores the FBI’s commitment to holding law enforcement officers accountable when they violate the rights of individuals. When an officer shrugs off his sworn oath and harms those they promised to protect, he betrays the people of his community and all of us who wear a badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “The FBI continues to ensure the rights of every American are protected. Thank you to the Douglas Police Department for their partnership and work on this case.”

    The Douglas Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office, Sierra Vista Resident Agency investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Carin Duryee for the District of Arizona and Trial Attorney MarLa Duncan of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Former Customs and Border Protection Officer Sentenced for Abducting and Sexually Assaulting a Minor Victim

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    Aaron Thomas Mitchell, 30, a former U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for abducting a 15-year-old female middle school student, driving her to his apartment, and repeatedly sexually assaulting her.

    According to the evidence presented at trial, Mitchell found the child waiting for school to start, introduced himself as a law enforcement officer, and ordered the child into his car. Mitchell then restrained the child’s hands and feet with handcuffs and drove her nearly an hour away to his apartment.

    At his apartment, Mitchell forced the victim into his bedroom, where he repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the course of several hours, before he returned the victim to an alley near the middle school.

    An examination of Mitchell’s cellphone revealed that he conducted numerous searches regarding rape, how to stop someone from screaming, and how long it takes to smother someone.

    “As we work to secure the southern border, it is essential that our law enforcement officers remain above reproach and are trusted by the people they protect,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona. “This sentence shows that if anyone abuses their position of authority, they will face the harshest consequences available. And while we can never undo the pain inflicted by this defendant on the victim, we are proud to see that justice has been served.”

    “This sentence underscores the FBI’s commitment to holding law enforcement officers accountable when they violate the rights of individuals. When an officer shrugs off his sworn oath and harms those they promised to protect, he betrays the people of his community and all of us who wear a badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez of the FBI Phoenix Field Office. “The FBI continues to ensure the rights of every American are protected. Thank you to the Douglas Police Department for their partnership and work on this case.”

    The Douglas Police Department and FBI Phoenix Field Office, Sierra Vista Resident Agency investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Carin Duryee for the District of Arizona and Trial Attorney MarLa Duncan of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case. 

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