NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Bribery And Introduction Of Contraband Into Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Samuel Brandon Smith (37, Ocala) has pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official and one count of providing contraband to a federal prisoner. Smith faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the bribery offense and up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the contraband offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to court records, Smith was a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) working at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County. Between December 18, 2023, and September 4, 2024, Smith received bribes to smuggle contraband into FCC Coleman for inmates. In total, Smith received $43,901 in bribes.

    On September 4, 2024, BOP staff stopped Smith when he reported to work at FCC Coleman. They found 668.1 grams of marijuana and other substances containing approximately 90 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on Smith’s person, hidden within his duty vest. Smith was smuggling this contraband into the facility with the intent to distribute it to federal prisoners in exchange for monetary payments.

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Schuylkill County Man Sentenced To 60 Months’ Imprisonment For Firearm Offense

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cornelius Green, age 37, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on February 27, 2025, to 60 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Robert D. Mariani for one count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Green previously pleaded guilty to possessing a Kel-Tec, Model RFB 18, caliber .308 semi-automatic rifle, which had been shipped or transported in interstate commerce, knowing that he had previously been convicted by a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  Judge Mariani ordered the five-year sentence to run consecutive to an early seven-year sentence of imprisonment previously imposed for Green’s brandishing of a firearm in relation to a robbery.   

    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.

    The matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Schuylkill Haven Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dauphin County Woman Indicted For Drug Trafficking Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Latika Rainey, age 35, of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, was indicted on February 19, 2025, by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking charges.

    According to Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, the indictment charges Rainey for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana between February 26, 2023 and March 1, 2023.  The indictment further charges Rainey for distributing cocaine, as well as possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base, cocaine, and marijuana on March 1, 2023.

    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.

    The case was investigated by the Harrisburg Bureau of Police – Organized Crime Vice Control Unit, the Harrisburg Bureau of Police – Street Crimes Unit, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.

    The maximum penalties under federal law for the indicted offenses are 100 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release after imprisonment, a fine, and a special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Santa Maria Investment Advisor Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Clients Out of More Than $2 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A Santa Barbara County investment advisor pleaded guilty today to stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients of her investment advisory business – some of whom were receiving end-of-life care. 

    Julie Anne Darrah, 52, of Santa Maria, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. She remains free on $50,000 bond.

    Darrah ran a Santa Maria-based investment advisory business called Vivid Financial Management Inc. (VFM). At all relevant times, she was an investment advisor registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and, from 2015 to 2021, she was the president, chief compliance officer, and a one-third shareholder of VFM.

    During the scheme, Darrah stole approximately $2.25 million from her firm’s clients. She did so by obtaining control of her victims’ assets, and then – without the victims’ knowledge or consent – she liquidated their security holdings and transferred the proceeds to accounts she controlled. As part of this, she convinced victims to sign documents making her the trustee of their trusts or a signatory on their bank accounts or giving her power of attorney over their brokerage accounts and allowing her – as their investment advisor – to transfer funds from their accounts to other bank accounts, including to her own accounts.

    Darrah took advantage of trust victims placed in her — often convincing them she would take care of them in their older years like a daughter, and she used this trust to convince them to sign the documents that she then used to steal money from them. In this way, Darrah stole money from victims from approximately November 2016 to July 2023. She used stolen funds to buy properties for herself, pay other personal expenses, buy luxury vehicles, and operate other business ventures. Some victims were left in desperate circumstances, without the money to pay for end-of-life care, when the fraud was discovered.

    Darrah also convinced a company identified in the plea agreement as “Business Victim 1,” a Minnesota-based investment advisor firm, to acquire VFM based on false and misleading statements and the concealment of material facts, including not telling that firm about her theft of individual client funds.  After the fraud was discovered, Business Victim 1 incurred approximately $5.4 million in losses.

    “The defendant took advantage of her clients’ trust,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. “Many of them were elderly and she stole from them using their funds as her own. Our seniors should never have to question whether their money is safe. She will now be held accountable for her actions.”

    United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II scheduled a May 19 sentencing hearing, at which time Darrah will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

    In October 2023, the SEC filed a civil complaint against Darrah in connection with this scheme. In December 2024, United States District Judge Dale S. Fischer found Darrah liable to pay $2,416,511, including interest.

    The FBI and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section is prosecuting this case.

    If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. English, Spanish and other languages are available.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Cape Girardeau Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on Tuesday sentenced a man who admitted recording his sexual activity with a child to 30 years in prison.

    Steven Lee Brown, 33, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau in December to one count of producing child pornography.

    According to court documents, the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office received a report that Brown had sexually abused a 10-year-old child last May. The child was interviewed and confirmed the abuse. Officers immediately responded to Brown’s residence. During an interview, Brown admitted that he engaged in various sexual acts with the child. Brown further admitted that he used his cell phone to record some of the sexual activity. Officers seized Brown’s phone and discovered sexually explicit images of the minor child on the device. At his guilty plea hearing, Brown admitted that he used his cell phone to produce the sexually explicit material. After serving his 30-year sentence, Brown will be subject to lifetime supervised release.

    This case was investigated by the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Koester handled the prosecution for the Government.

    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 Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Correctional Officer Arrested For Bribery And Introduction Of Contraband Into Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the arrest of Michael Jason Brooks (37, Citra) on an indictment charging him with one count of receiving a bribe by a public official and one count of providing contraband to a federal prisoner. If convicted, Brooks faces up to 15 years in federal prison on the bribery count and up to 6 months’ imprisonment for the contraband offense. 

    According to court documents, on June 12, 2024, Brooks was employed by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. Brooks knowingly agreed to receive and accept money in return for being influenced to introduce contraband into the federal prison for an inmate. On June 12, 2024, Brooks provided contraband in the form of tobacco to an inmate at the prison.  

    An indictment is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Poplar Bluff Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Attempting to Sell Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAPE GIRARDEAU – U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on Tuesday sentenced a man from Poplar Bluff, Missouri who tried to sell methamphetamine shortly after his release from prison to 12 more years in prison.

    Lonnie C. Hamilton, 40, pleaded guilty in December to one felony count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. His plea says that on May 16, 2023, a Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force officer was approached by someone who said Hamilton tried to sell him an ounce of meth on the street. The officer found Hamilton, who removed a baggie containing meth from his pocket, admitted that the substance was methamphetamine and further admitted that he had recently been released from prison. Hamilton said an acquaintance gave him two ounces of methamphetamine to sell so that he could make some money, adding that he’d used some and intended to sell some. Hamilton was caught with about 48 grams, or roughly 1.7 ounces, of meth.

    Because he has at least two prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a drug offense, Hamilton qualified as a “career offender.”

    The Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Hunter prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Role in Elder Fraud Schemes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant alleged to have received and transmitted victim funds to fraudsters.

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher has sentenced Ambrose A. Obinna Warrior, 44, of Milford Mill, Maryland, to 42 months in federal prison. Warrior served as an unlicensed money transmitter in connection with various romance, business email compromise, and investment schemes.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Baltimore Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed, FBI Salt Lake City Field Office; and Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Ajay Lall, U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division.

    According to the plea agreement, beginning in March 2018, and continuing through at least August 2021, Warrior received victims’ funds and transferred them to other scheme participants through federally insured financial institutions in exchange for a percentage.  Warrior opened personal and business bank accounts and formed the limited liability company, The Golden Voice of Orientals, to conduct, control, manage, and direct his unlicensed money transmitting business.

    Additionally, Warrior used WhatsApp to communicate bank account information to other scheme participants and his fee for receiving and transmitting funds from victims, which was usually 20 percent or more.  After depositing the funds, Warrior retained a portion of the money as a fee and ensured others received a portion of the fraudulent funds.  Warrior also transferred victims’ funds to scheme participants overseas.

    In total, Warrior transmitted or attempted to transfer more than $700,000 in proceeds from various schemes. Victims lost at least $467,912.

    Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older, and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers through assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis.  The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday.  English, Spanish, and other languages are available.  Learn more about the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at www.elderjustice.gov.  Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and United States Postal Inspection Service for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evelyn Lombardo Cusson and Adeyemi Adenrele who prosecuted the federal case. The FBI’s Baltimore and Salt Lake City Field Offices, along with the St. George Resident Agency, investigated this case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Kanawha County Man Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jonathan Fitzpatrick, 33, of Pratt, was sentenced today to 16 years and two months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 3, 2024, Fitzpatrick sold approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in the Kanawha City area of Charleston. Fitzpatrick admitted to the transaction and further admitted to distributing a total of approximately 90 pounds of a substance that contained methamphetamine to the confidential informant from approximately December 2022 to in or about April 2024.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Route 119 Drug Task Force, which consists of members of the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Police.

    Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel D. Marsh prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-112.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Middle District Of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects More Than $47 Million In Civil And Criminal Actions In Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, FL ― Acting U.S. Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announced today that the Middle District of Florida (MDFL) collected $47,486,214 related to local criminal and civil matters in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 (FY 2024). Of this amount, $16,429,786 was collected in criminal cases and $31,056,428was collected in civil actions. 

    The MDFL’s Civil Division, led by Civil Chief Randy Harwell, recovered a total of $104,533,923 on behalf of federal agencies and programs in affirmative civil enforcement cases during the last fiscal year. This amount has two components. In addition to its recoveries in local civil cases noted above, the District’s Civil Division also joins forces with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and with the Department of Justice Civil Frauds Section to address fraud schemes and illegal practices extending beyond district boundaries. The MDFL’s Civil Division recovered an additional $73,477,495 in FY24 in these jointly handled cases.

    “These strong recovery figures show a continued commitment by our office in the critical areas of criminal and civil enforcement,” said Acting United States Attorney Sara Sweeney. “Safeguarding the interests of crime victims, the American taxpayers, and vital public programs will always be a part of our district’s core mission.”

    U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department’s litigation divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

    The MDFL’s Asset Recovery Division, led by Chief Laura Taylor, recovered a total of $16,456,189. This amount has two components―criminal monetary penalties and forfeiture. First, in addition to the $16,429,786 in criminal monetary penalties collected in cases prosecuted by the District, the Asset Recovery Division worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $26,403 in criminal monetary penalties pursued jointly by these offices. 

    Additionally, the District’s Asset Recovery Division, working with partner agencies, forfeited $35,981,653 from criminal and civil asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024. For instance, in FY 2024, $10,604,039 million forfeited in the MDFL was returned to victims of the criminal offenses, and more than $4 million was shared with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

    Significant Affirmative Civil Enforcement Cases

    United States ex rel. Jacob v. Walgreens Boots Alliance, Case no. 8:20-cv-858 (M.D. Fla.). This qui tam case alleged that between 2009 and 2020, Walgreens submitted false claims for payment to Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs for prescriptions that it processed but that were never picked up by beneficiaries. Through this practice, Walgreens received tens of millions of dollars for prescriptions that it never actually provided to health care beneficiaries. Collaborating with the Dept. of Justice Civil Frauds Section and the United States Attorneys’ Offices for the District of New Mexico and Eastern District of Texas, we resolved all of the allegations in the qui tam case for $106.8 million.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/walgreens-agrees-pay-1068m-resolve-allegations-it-billed-government-prescriptions-never

    United States v. Lubin, Case no. 8:21-cv-2231 (M.D. Fla.). This False Claims Act complaint was filed against Dr. Edward Lubin, who was an outlier prescriber of a powerful opioid medication called Subsys which is prescribed primarily for treatment of various oncology conditions. We alleged that Dr. Edward Lubin received kickbacks from the manufacturer of Subsys, Insys, Inc., through a bogus speaker program sponsored by Insys that paid Lubin hundreds of thousands of dollars to incentivize him to prescribe the potent medication. In October 2023, we settled with Dr. Lubin for $1.5 million.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-pain-management-physician-edward-lubin-agrees-pay-15-million-settle-false-claims

    U.S. ex rel. Loscalzo v. Bluestone Physician Services, et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-295 (M.D. Fla.).  This qui tam case alleged that Bluestone, a geriatric health care provider for residents of assisted living facilities in Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin, submitted false claims to the government by billing monthly medical visits that are either unnecessary or upcoded. In collaboration with the Department of Justice Civil Frauds section and the United States Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we corroborated the allegations and on June 5, 2024, resolved the claims in the qui tam complaint for $14.9 million, on an ability to pay basis.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/chronic-disease-management-provider-pay-149m-resolve-alleged-false-claims

    Dan Hurt.  Daniel Hurt owned and operated Fountain Health Services LLC, Verify Health, Landmark Diagnostics LLC, First Choice Laboratory LLC and Sonoran Desert Pathology Associates LLC, that we alleged submitted false claims to Medicare for cancer genomic (CGx) tests that were not medically necessary and that were procured through illegal kickbacks. From January 2019 to November 2021, Hurt allegedly conspired with telemarketing agents to solicit Medicare beneficiaries for “free” CGx tests; with telemedicine providers to “prescribe” CGx tests that were not medically necessary; with reference laboratories to conduct the CGx tests, and with billing laboratories and a hospital to submit claims for payment to Medicare.  Mr. Hurt pled guilty to criminal healthcare fraud offenses and agreed on an ability to pay basis to settle the civil fraud claims for approximately $27 million.

    Press release:  https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/florida-businessman-daniel-hurt-pay-over-27-million-medicare-fraud-connection-cancer?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

    United States v. Robert J. Remington, et al., Case no. 8:24-cv-511 (M.D. Fla.). This False Claims Act case was initiated by a referral from the Veterans Administration Inspector General concerning Jacksonville and Orlando franchises of New Horizons Computer Learning Center.  These schools provide federally subsidized educational programs for veterans.  The complaint alleged that both franchises violated subsidy program requirements concerning the percentage of student population that were entitled to receive the subsidies. We filed a complaint against the two schools in February 2024, and on July 10, 2024 reached an agreement that resolved all claims in return for $1,350,000.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/new-horizons-computer-learning-centers-tampa-and-orlando-resolve-post-911-gi-bill

    United States ex rel. GNGH2, Inc. v. Miles Partnership, LLC, Case No. 8:23-cv-649 (M.D. Fla.).  In this qui tam, the relator alleged that Miles Partnership, LLC (“Miles Partnership”) obtained a $2 million second draw Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan by failing to disclose that it was required to register under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (“FARA”), 22 U.S.C. § 611 et seq .  Any entity required to register under FARA was ineligible for a second draw PPP loan.  Based on various contracts it had with foreign tourism boards, including the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the relator alleged that Miles Partnership was required to register under FARA. On Sept. 17, 2024, we settled these claims for $2,281,950.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/travel-tourism-company-pays-2-2-million-resolve-civil-claims-regarding-funds-obtained

    H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Center.  A leading Tampa, Florida cancer research center disclosed issues to the Health and Human Services Inspector General concerning its bills to Medicare associated with clinical oncology trials. Specifically, Moffitt disclosed that it had billed federal healthcare programs for items and services provided as part of clinical trial research that should have been billed to non-government trial sponsors. The research center cooperated extensively with the United States Attorney’s Office, Department of Justice Civil Frauds section, and HHS OIG, ultimately agreeing in January 2024, to pay $19,564,743 to resolve all of the billing issues that it had disclosed.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/florida-research-hospital-agrees-pay-more-195-million-resolve-liability-relating-self 

    Baptist Health System A Jacksonville, Florida area hospital network voluntarily disclosed conduct to the Health and Human Services Inspector General that may have violated the federal Anti-Kickback statute. Specifically, Baptist Health disclosed that it had offered discounts to patients as an inducement to purchase or refer Baptist Health services that are reimbursed by federal health programs. Baptist Health cooperated with the government’s investigation into these issues and agreed to resolve them in exchange for $1.5 million.

    Press release: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/florida-hospital-system-agrees-pay-15-million-resolve-liability-relating-self 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Major Nuclear Repository Adopts New Fully Searchable Digital Platform

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The IAEA’s International Nuclear Information System, a multi-million strong digital library, has been further strengthened with the addition of a modern repository platform – that offers full text search for the first time.

    Founded in 1970, the International Nuclear Information System (INIS) Repository hosts a massive library of nearly five million reports, books, scientific articles, conference papers and other knowledge products covering topics in nuclear science, reactor technology, materials science, medical applications, decommissioning, and all other areas the IAEA is involved in.

    Using Invenio, an open-source platform developed by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and tailoring it to its own needs the Agency was to make advancements in automation and accessibility as well as a major increase in capacity for handling new knowledge product entries in INIS. The new functionalities built with the platform allow INIS to connect with other repositories, facilitating the sharing of content and expanding the utility of all participating databases. INIS will be the first large repository to implement full-text search with Invenio – searching both the metadata and the text of a PDF.

    “In today’s knowledge-based economy, information is considered one of the most valuable resources. It is critical for research, innovation, decision making, efficiency and productivity, knowledge sharing and continuous learning,” said Dibuleng Mohlakwana, Head of the IAEA’s Nuclear Information Section. “This new platform will help INIS expand its role as a global player in open science improving its capabilities as an information hub that facilitates the pursuit of nuclear science for peaceful purposes.”

    INIS relies on contributions from more than 130 countries and 11 international organizations, with well over 100 000 new knowledge products being added each year.  INIS staff supplement national contributions by harvesting information from some of the largest publishers, including Elsevier, Nature-Springer and the Institute of Physics.

    The landscape of scientific publishing has changed greatly in the years since INIS was founded, with an increasing emphasis on open access. Publishers are providing more information and making it freely available, while repositories such as arXiv, the Directory of Open Access Journals, PubMed, etc. have made scientific knowledge more accessible than ever before.

    “One of the great things about this platform is that whatever we develop here can be shared with all the other organizations. So not only are we sharing scientific information with the world, but we’re also sharing what we develop with Invenio,” said Astrit Ademaj, Nuclear Systems Support Analyst and Project Manager for the implementation of Invenio. INIS is the first large repository to implement full-text search – searching both the metadata and the text of a PDF.

    Knowledge products entered into Invenio will be automatically categorized and tagged with descriptors. This had previously been done manually in what had been a highly time-consuming endeavour. This work will now primarily be handled by NADIA (Nuclear Artificial intelligence for Document Indexing and Analysis), an AI tool developed by the IAEA. Previously, contributors sent their entries using a unique language and format. Now a user-friendly form is provided, so specialized knowledge and training are no longer necessary.

    “Many of the items available on INIS are quite fascinating,” said Brian Bales, INIS Coordinator. “One of the most popular recent additions is the Prospective Study Bluebook on Nuclear Energy to Support Low Carbon – a cooperative effort between nuclear companies in China and France to address the challenges of climate change. Over the last 5 years, we’ve added over 600 000 such knowledge products.”

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Parents of Former Boone County Schools Maintenance Director Plead Guilty to Evading Financial Reporting Requirements

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

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Michael P. Barker, 68, and Lana Barker, 66, both of Foster, pleaded guilty today to structuring transactions with one or more domestic financial institutions.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, starting on or about November 7, 2023, through on our about November 28, 2023, the Barkers made or caused to be made 11 cash deposits to their bank accounts in amounts ranging from $8,000 to $9,500 and totaling $97,215. The Barkers admitted that these transactions were specifically designed to avoid currency reporting requirements. Financial institutions are required to report cash deposits of more than $10,000, and federal law prohibits structuring multiple cash deposits to avoid this reporting requirement.

    The Barkers furthered admitted that they used the $97,215, a $30,000 bank loan, and $50,000 provided by their son, former Boone County Schools Maintenance Director Michael David Barker, to purchase property in Foster.

    Michael P. Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2025, and Lana Barker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1, 2025. Each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and a forfeiture money judgment.

    Today’s guilty pleas result from an investigation that led to the indictment of Michael David Barker, 47, of Foster, by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2024. The 18-count indictment alleges that Michael David Barker entered into a scheme to defraud the Boone County Board of Education out of approximately $3,400,000 while serving as maintenance director. The charges against Michael David Barker are pending. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Jesse Marks, 65, of Rush, Kentucky, pleaded guilty on February 27, 2025, to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Marks was the sole owner and operator of Rush Enterprises when Michael David Barker contacted him in November 2019 about Rush Enterprises selling custodial and janitorial supplies to Boone County Schools. Marks admitted that he and Barker entered into the overbilling scheme at that time. Marks is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16, 2025.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU), and the assistance provided by the West Virginia Department of Education.

    United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston presided over the hearings. Assistant United States Attorney Gabriel Price is prosecuting the cases.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-4 (Michael P. Barker) and 2:25-cr-5 (Lana Barker).

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Final Defendant Pleads Guilty to Role in Drug Trafficking Organization

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

    BECKLEY, W.Va. – Jermaine Antoine Johnson, 34, of Beckley, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Johnson admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl as well as cocaine base, also known as “crack,” in Beckley and elsewhere within the Southern District of West Virginia.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Johnson participated in the DTO conspiracy in April and May 2024. Johnson admitted to supplying others with controlled substances that they distributed. Johnson further admitted that he spoke to co-conspirators about obtaining and distributing fentanyl during May 2024 phone calls that were intercepted by law enforcement.

    During a May 15, 2024, phone call, Johnson told a co-conspirator about a supplier prepared to sell controlled substances to them, and the two discussed providing $6,000 to this supplier for drugs they planned to distribute in and around the Southern District of West Virginia. Johnson admitted that he was picked up by the co-conspirator on May 20, 2024, and the two traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, where they purchased approximately $6,000 worth of fentanyl. Johnson further admitted that he and his co-conspirator returned to West Virginia the next day and discussed increasing the volume of the purchased fentanyl by adding such cutting agents as sugar and brown sugar.

    Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on July 3, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.

    Johnson is among 12 individuals indicted on charges alleging the defendants conspired to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base within the Southern District of West Virginia from in or about June 2023 to in or about May 2024. All 12 have pleaded guilty, including two defendants who pleaded guilty to separate charges in lieu of the offenses alleged in the indictment.

    “Today’s guilty plea marks a major milestone in this case, which has disrupted a significant drug trafficking operation in the Beckley area,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “The fact that all 12 defendants have pleaded guilty is also a testament to the teamwork of our law enforcement partners and this office and to our shared dedication to protecting our communities.”

    Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit, which consists of officers from the West Virginia State Police, the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, and the Beckley Police Department.

    United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over today’s hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Isabell is prosecuting the case.

    The investigation was part of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF). The program was established in 1982 to conduct comprehensive, multilevel attacks on major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and is the keystone of the Department of Justice’s drug reduction strategy. OCDETF combines the resources and expertise of its member federal agencies in cooperation with state and local law enforcement. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking organizations, transnational criminal organizations and money laundering organizations that present a significant threat to the public safety, economic, or national security of the United States.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-90.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: OKX Pleads Guilty to Violating U.S. Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Agrees to Pay Penalties Totaling More Than $500 Million

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

    Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that Aux Cayes Fintech Co. Ltd, d/b/a “OKEx,” d/b/a “OKX” (“OKX”), a Seychelles-based entity, that since at least 2017 has operated OKX, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, pled guilty today to one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. In connection with today’s guilty plea and sentencing, OKX agreed to pay monetary penalties totaling more than $504 million.  The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who presided over today’s guilty plea and sentencing.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “For over seven years, OKX knowingly violated anti-money laundering laws and avoided implementing required policies to prevent criminals from abusing our financial system. As a result, OKX was used to facilitate over five billion dollars’ worth of suspicious transactions and criminal proceeds.  Today’s guilty plea and penalties emphasize that there will be consequences for financial institutions that avail themselves of U.S. markets but violate the law by allowing criminal activity to continue.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge James E. Dennehy said: “For years, OKX flagrantly violated U.S. law, actively seeking customers in the United States—including here in New York—and even going so far as to advise individuals to provide false information to circumvent requisite procedures. Furthermore, in their failure to adhere to U.S. law, significant illicit transactions which furthered other criminal activity went undetected on their platform. Blatant disregard for the rule of law will not be tolerated, and the FBI is committed to working with our partners across government to ensure that corporations that engage in this type of conduct are held accountable for their actions.”

    According to court documents and admissions: 

    OKX is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms, with billions of dollars’ worth of cryptocurrency transactions occurring daily on its platform.  OKX allows registered users to place orders for spot trades in over three hundred cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. OKX users can also place orders for derivative products, including futures contracts, tied to the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. 

    Financial institutions that operate wholly or in substantial part in the United States must register with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) as a money services business (“MSB”) and comply with federal anti-money laundering (“AML”) laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act.  These laws require the filing of suspicious activity reports and the maintenance of an adequate AML program, including an effective know-your-customer (“KYC”) program. AML programs are critical to ensure that entry-points into the U.S. financial system do not become tools criminals can use to profit from illicit activity.

    Since 2017, OKX has had an official policy preventing U.S. persons from transacting on its exchange. But contrary to this official policy, OKX sought out customers in the United States, including in the Southern District of New York. 

    From in or about 2018 through in or about at least early 2024, OKX served U.S. retail and institutional customers that engaged in over one trillion dollars’ worth of transactions through OKX. Transactions from those U.S. customers generated hundreds of millions of dollars in trading fees and profits for OKX. 

    Because OKX served U.S. retail and institutional customers, OKX knew it was required by U.S. law to register as a money services business with FinCEN, but OKX chose not to do so.[1] In fact, despite OKX’s official policy prohibiting U.S. persons from transacting on the exchange, OKX was fully aware that individuals in the United States could, and did, easily create and use OKX trading accounts.  From OKX’s founding in approximately 2017 through approximately November 2022, OKX allowed retail customers the option to create an account, receive and transfer funds, and place trades without completing a KYC process. This meant that OKX, a large financial institution, facilitated transactions on behalf of customers that it could not identify. Further, while OKX implemented a policy blocking customers with U.S.-located IP addresses from trading or depositing assets onto OKX (the “IP Ban”), OKX knew that the IP Ban could be circumvented through cheap, widely available VPN technology.  Also, through at least early 2023, OKX allowed existing accounts to continue to receive and transfer funds, and place trades, all without completing a KYC process.  And until approximately early 2024, OKX also allowed customers to place trades on the exchange through third-party entities known as “non-disclosure brokers” without the third-party entity disclosing any identifying information to OKX about the customers on whose behalf the trades were placed. 

    Even after OKX began requiring all customers to provide some KYC information to trade, OKX employees on certain occasions advised customers how to provide false information to circumvent the company’s KYC process and official policy prohibiting U.S. customers.  For example, in April 2023, an OKX employee encouraged a potential U.S. customer to open an account by providing false information about the customer’s nationality during the KYC processing, writing “I know you’re in the US, but you could just put a random country and it should go through. You just need to put Name, nationality, and ID number. You could just put United Arab Emirates and random numbers for the ID number.”  At that time, OKX did not verify the information that customers provided to open an account to trade.  In January 2024, the same employee wrote to another potential U.S. customer and asked if the individual had “any workaround on KYC outside of the US to make it potentially work.”

    During the relevant period, OKX advertised in the United States, sponsoring the Tribeca Film Festival, for example, and used affiliate marketers based in the United States to promote the exchange. OKX also allowed existing customers to promote the exchange, and provided such customers benefits for recruiting additional users. At least one such OKX customer produced a publicly-available, step-by-step instructional video educating U.S. customers about how to register with OKX using a VPN to conceal their U.S. presence.

    OKX also focused its efforts on attracting and retaining certain U.S. institutional customers, including large institutions who could provide liquidity and help OKX become one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by making a broad range of cryptocurrencies available at competitive rates.  OKX’s U.S. institutional customers were some of OKX’s largest customers, with one such firm alone generating more than a trillion dollars in spot and derivatives transactions on OKX during the relevant period.  They provided significant liquidity, volume and trading fees for the platform, despite OKX’s knowing failure to register as an MSB and OKX’s “official” policy banning U.S. customers.

    Until approximately May 2023, OKX did not adequately or consistently use commercially available software to monitor and detect suspicious activity, including money laundering, and OKX did not have adequate controls to determine whether either party to transactions on the exchange was potentially subject to sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department. As a result, through at least early 2024, OKX was used by numerous customers as a vehicle for laundering the proceeds of suspicious and criminal activities, including more than five billion dollars of suspicious transactions and illicit proceeds, based on a review of third-party transaction data.

    In early 2024, OKX retained an external compliance consultant (the “Consultant”) to advise OKX on policies and controls reasonably designed to prevent U.S. persons from engaging in transactions on OKX’s platform through accounts held at OKX.  As part of the plea agreement, OKX is continuing to retain the Consultant, at its own cost, through February 2027, and has agreed to continue to cooperate with the United States Attorney’s Office.

    *                *                *

    In addition to the guilty plea, OKX, a Seychelles-based entity, also agreed to criminally forfeit $420.3 million and pay a criminal fine of approximately $84.4 million.  OKX received credit for its cooperation with the investigation and timely engaging in remedial measures, resulting in a 25% reduction off the bottom of the otherwise applicable recommended fine range.

    Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Field Office. 

    This matter is being handled by the Office’s Illicit Finance & Money Laundering Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher D. Brumwell, Eli J. Mark, and Vladislav Vainberg are in charge of the prosecution.

    [1] OKX has an affiliate U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange named OKCoin USA, Inc. (“OKCoin”) which, in contrast with OKX, has registered with FinCEN as a MSB. OKCoin serves customers globally, including in the United States, and offers retail and institutional customers the ability to spot trade, including purchasing cryptocurrency using U.S. dollars. The conduct described herein that gives rise to the charge in the Information, and to which OKX pled guilty, is solely that of the unregistered MSB, Aux Cayes Fintech Co. Ltd., d/b/a “OKEx,” d/b/a “OKX,” the defendant.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Coast Guard cutter visits Australia, furthers collaboration and maritime security

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    03/04/2025 01:55 PM EST

    The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) recently completed a port call in Sydney, Feb. 25, 2025, conducting several engagements with Australian partners that strengthened ties and furthered collaborative maritime security throughout Oceania. Reflecting the spirit of the Pacific Quadrilateral Defense Coordinating Group, the U.S. Coast Guard continues its vital collaboration with Australian law enforcement to identify maritime vulnerabilities and cooperate on solutions that reduce risks to safety, health, and security throughout the region.

    For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jackson Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation, Cyberstalking, and Sextortion Offenses

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

    Jackson, MS – A Jackson man entered a guilty plea to federal charges relating to a “sextortion” scheme that targeted multiple victims, including minors, across several states.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Marquez Cameron Jones Weston, 22, operated a “sextortion” scheme in which he engaged in cyberstalking, interstate threats, extortion, attempted production of child pornography, and transportation of child pornography over the internet. As part of the scheme, Weston attempted to and did extort money and sexually explicit photographic images and videos from numerous female victims, some of whom were minors, over the internet.

    Weston pleaded guilty to attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography over the internet, extortion, and cyberstalking. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, 2025 and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of at least 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.

    The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Sam Houston State University Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly T. Purdie and Dave Fulcher are prosecuting the case.

    The FBI provides the following six tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion schemes:

    • Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about you.
    • Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
    • Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.
    • Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and this person asks you to start talking on a different platform.
    • Be in the know. Any content you create online—whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public. And nothing actually “disappears” online. Once you send something, you don’t have any control over where it goes next.
    • Be willing to ask for help. If you are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been victimized online, tell someone.

    If you, your child, or someone you know is being exploited via sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additional resources can found at Sextortion and Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI.  If you believe you are a victim in this particular case, please also contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pitt County Man Pleads Guilty in Multimillion-Dollar Ponzi Scheme that Defrauded Eastern North Carolina Investors

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

    WILMINGTON, N.C. – Willard Timothy Sutton, age 64, pled guilty to one count of mail fraud today for running a Ponzi scheme that resulted in more than 60 investors suffering net losses in excess of $8 million.  At sentencing later this year, Sutton faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.  Sutton will also be required to pay restitution to victims.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, between approximately 2019 and 2023, Sutton operated a largescale Ponzi scheme in connection with an investment program offered through Greenville Auto World, LLC (GAW), a car dealership located in Greenville.  GAW was a “buy here pay here” (BHPH) dealership.  BHPH dealerships enable customers with poor or no credit history to finance the purchase of a vehicle directly through the dealership, rather than through a bank or credit union.  Such loans typically carry significantly higher interest rates than traditional car loans.  Between approximately 2012 and 2023, as part of an investment program sponsored, promoted, and administered by GAW, Sutton sold BHPH finance contracts to outside investors through direct solicitation, referrals, and word-of-mouth advertisement.

    Beginning in approximately 2019, Sutton falsely and fraudulently led BHPH investors to believe that their investments were safe and secure, and that GAW was collecting sufficient repayments from loan customers to be able to fully pay the principal and interest owed to them.  In truth, GAW was collecting millions from investors, but it did not have the means to service the debt through BHPH revenue or any legitimate business income.  Between approximately October 2018 and August 2023, the FBI estimates that GAW collected investor funds in excess of $60 million.  However, GAW’s gross receipts were a small fraction of the total.

    In order to conceal GAW’s financial condition, and avoid the collapse of the business, Sutton operated the BHPH program as a Ponzi scheme in which he would (in a typical transaction) sell a legitimate loan contract to one investor and then sell one or more false and fabricated versions of that same contract to other investors without their knowledge.  Sutton then used the proceeds of the fraudulent sales to pay off earlier investors.  Among other things, Sutton forged loan customer signatures to the fake contracts and, in some instances, provided fake title documents to investors to convince them that their investments were appropriately secured.   

    In approximately 2022, in order to generate additional funds to meet GAW’s mounting debts to investors, Sutton solicited some BHPH investors to help finance GAW’s vehicle inventory.  Sutton falsely and fraudulently represented to these investors that he was using their funds to purchase vehicles when, in fact, Sutton was using their funds to conceal and perpetuate the Ponzi scheme.

    “Over the course of years, instead of helping so-called investors, this defendant bilked his victims out of millions of dollars of their hard earned money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “Fraudsters should know that they will be held accountable for their crimes in the Eastern District of North Carolina.”

    “Mr. Sutton ran a local business for many years, purporting to help those with poor or no credit get much needed vehicle loans. When he ran into financial trouble, rather than admitting his business was failing, he resold those loans over and over again to outside investors to protect his own reputation at the expense those who trusted he was legitimately investing their hard earned money,” said Robert M. DeWitt the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.    

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after Chief Judge Richard E. Myers, II accepted the plea. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Charlotte Field Office, investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Adam F. Hulbig prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-83-M.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Teton County Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    POCATELLO – Jesus M. Beltran-Zazusta, a/k/a Jesus Zazueta-Beltran, 26, a Mexican national unlawfully in the United States and living in Victor, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.

    According to court records, law enforcement officers identified Beltran-Zazusta as the source of supply of methamphetamine for multiple local distributors in Teton and Bonneville Counties.  In November 2023, law enforcement tracked Beltran-Zazusta as he returned to Idaho from a short trip to California.  They followed him to an Idaho Falls residence that belonged to co-defendant Ana Costilla-Delgado.  Officers seized a pound of methamphetamine from co-defendant Jorge Hernandez Venegas as he left the house.  The Idaho Falls Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence where they located nine pounds of methamphetamine in Costilla-Delgado’s bedroom.  Officers had previously identified Beltran-Zazusta as the source of methamphetamine for Fredy Munoz-Morales, of Victor, in a related investigation that occurred in April 2023.

    In January 2024, a federal grand jury in Pocatello indicted Beltran-Zazusta.  The Honorable Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced him to nine years in federal prison on March 3, 2025.  He also ordered Beltran-Zazusta to complete four years of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence.  However, Beltran-Zazusta will likely be deported to Mexico after serving his prison sentence.

    Chief Judge Nye also sentenced Costilla-Delgado to twelve and a half years in federal prison on January 6, 2025, Venegas to nine years in federal prison on December 2, 2024, and Munoz-Morales to twelve and a half years in federal prison on June 28, 2024.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the work of the Idaho Falls Police Department, the Teton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration which led to the charges.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe H. McLane prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl Distribution

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Boston man has pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to a drug distribution offense involving fentanyl. Defendant is currently awaiting trial on murder charges in Massachusetts state court.

    Csean Skerritt, a/k/a “Shizz Grimmy,” a/k/a “Black,” 36, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for June 6, 2025. In March 2023, Skerritt was indicted by a federal grand jury.

    As part of a drug trafficking investigation, on Feb. 1, 2023, Skerritt agreed to sell 50 grams of fentanyl to an individual in exchange for $1,500. Following a series of communications, Skerritt met the individual at a pre-arranged location. There, Skerritt entered the individual’s car and provided approximately 52.3 grams of fentanyl in exchange for the agreed-upon amount.

    On March 9, 2023, Skerritt was indicted for murder in the Massachusetts Superior Court and is awaiting trial.

    The charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Inmates

    Source: United States Attorneys General 6

    A Hawaii man pleaded guilty yesterday to sexual abuse of inmates under his custody or control.

    According to court documents, Mikael Rivera, 47, of Kapolei, was a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu from approximately 2014 to 2018. While on duty as a correctional officer, Rivera committed multiple sexual acts with one inmate who did not consent and engaged in sexually abusive conduct with two additional inmates under his supervision.

    Rivera pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual abuse of a ward. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 3 and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii, and Special Agent in Charge Zachary Shroyer of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) Western Region made the announcement.

    DOJ-OIG is investigating the case with assistance from the FBI.

    Trial Attorney Nicole Lockhart of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section (PIN) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Ayabe for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from former PIN Deputy Chiefs Jennifer Clarke and Marco Palmieri.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pittsburgh Resident Pleads Guilty to Cocaine and Firearm Violations

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to committing firearm and drug trafficking crimes, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Marvin Tymous, 25, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan to conspiring to distribute a quantity of cocaine between September 2023 and December 2023 and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on December 15, 2023.

    Judge Horan scheduled sentencing for June 25, 2025. The law provides for a total maximum sentence of not less than five years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Tymous.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched after teenage boy was shot in Stockwell

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met has launched a murder investigation after a boy was shot in Stockwell.

    Police were called at around 14:30hrs on Tuesday, 4 March to reports of a shooting in Paradise Road, SW4.

    Officers attended the scene along with London’s Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service.

    Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Officers are working at pace to identify the teenager and contact his next of kin.

    Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, who is leading the local policing response, said:

    “This is an enormously shocking incident which I imagine will cause huge distress to the local community.

    “Our thoughts are with the young boy’s family at this devastating time.

    “Local officers are on the scene gathering CCTV and speaking to witnesses to piece together what has happened. They will be supported by specialist homicide investigators shortly.

    “Please rest assured we will work around the clock to identify and find those responsible.”

    No arrests have been made at this early stage of the investigation.

    A crime scene and cordons remain in place while emergency services undertake their enquiries, which are ongoing.

    If you were a witness or have any information, please call police on 101 with the reference 4116/4MAR.

    You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 if you want to remain anonymous.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Arrest Escapee Who Fled Federal Facility

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Philadelphia, PA — Members of the U.S. Marshals Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force arrested Keith Freeman, 30, at a residence in the 2400 block of Nicholas Street. Freeman was wanted by the Federal Bureau of Prisons after he escaped from the Kintock Group located in the 600 block of E. Luzerne Street, on February 23rd. After a dispute with a staff member, Freeman climbed over two fences and fled from the facility. At the time of the escape, Freeman was finishing a 96-month sentence for firearms possession.

    At approximately 8 a.m. on March 4th, investigators from the Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia surrounded a residence in the 2400 block of Nicholas Street where Freeman was believed to be hiding. Upon entering the residence Freeman was located after trying to conceal himself under a pile of clothes in the living room. He was then taken into custody without incident and transported to the Federal Detention Center (FDC) in Philadelphia to serve the remaining time of his sentence.

    “After an extensive investigation, Keith Freeman has been placed back into federal custody without incident. With this arrest, our task force has again demonstrated its excellence in apprehending escaped prisoners,” said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force.

    The Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force is a team of law enforcement officers led by U.S. Marshals in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. The task force’s objective is to seek out and arrest violent crime fugitives. Membership agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania State Parole Officers, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General Agents, Immigration Customs Enforcement, Chester Police Department, Bucks County Sheriffs, and Delaware County Sheriffs.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Gow School Administrator Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography

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

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Matthew Fisher, 51, of South Wales, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2022, and November 2023, Fisher was employed as the Associate Director of Enrollment and Management at the Gow School, a private boarding school in South Wales, NY. Fisher resided on the Gow School campus. He utilized hidden cameras to create and attempt to create videos of at least five minor males engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During the investigation, several of Fisher’s electronic devices were seized and found to contain child pornography depicting the five victims and several yet to be identified minor individuals.

    The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Transit Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Patterson, and the East Aurora Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick Welch.

    Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Superseding Indictment Charges Two Brothers and a City Mayor’s Assistant with Tax Fraud, Public Corruption, and Money Laundering

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

    CLEVELAND – A federal grand jury returned a 32-count superseding indictment charging Zubair Mehmet Abdur Razzaq Al Zubair, 42, recently of Bratenahl, Ohio, his brother Muzzammil Muhammad Al Zubair, 31, recently of Pepper Pike, Ohio, and their associate Michael Leon Smedley, 56, of Cleveland, with multiple fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, and public corruption schemes. The initial 22-count indictment was issued Jan. 24, 2024.

    All three defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, and Hobbs Act conspiracy. The Al Zubair brothers were both charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 13 counts of wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, four counts of money laundering, theft of government funds, and aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false tax return. Zubair Al Zubair was also charged with harboring a fugitive and willful failure to file a tax return.

    According to court documents, from June 2020 through August 2023, the Al Zubair brothers allegedly employed several deceptive strategies to obtain money and property from victims. Their schemes involved investment fraud, a Small Business Administration COVID-19 relief Emergency Income Disaster Loan, cryptocurrency mining, and commercial and residential real estate transactions.

    One scheme was international in scope and involved military munitions. After the Al Zubair brothers found a buyer who was looking to purchase military-grade weapons, they made contact with individuals in Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and New York about finding sources to supply the munitions their buyer was seeking. The true intent was not the actual sale of the munitions, but rather to convince the purchaser to transfer a commission to the brothers for arranging the transaction.

    The Al Zubair brothers’ ill-gotten proceeds allowed them to acquire a trove of jewelry, luxury timepieces and vehicles, as well as more than 80 firearms. Zubair Al Zubair also leased a high-end residential property in Bratenahl, Ohio, before being evicted in August 2023.

    The superseding indictment alleges that the two made exorbitant claims about their extraordinary wealth and government connections. Zubair Al Zubair said he was a member of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates through his marriage to a princess. His brother, Muzzammil, claimed to be a hedge fund manager. According to the superseding indictment, he was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or as a broker with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and his only education on hedge funds came from watching YouTube videos. Using the illusion of being extremely educated, successful, and well-connected, the brothers befriended a public official employed with the city of East Cleveland to help them to carry out their elaborate and deceptive plots.

    As the chief of staff and executive assistant to the mayor of East Cleveland, Smedley allegedly used his position to help navigate red-tape bureaucracy and obtain specific outcomes for the Al Zubair brothers in return for things of value including checks, food and meals at high-end restaurants, and offers of future employment. For example, Smedley secured official letters on city letterhead to sway administrative and judicial proceedings, helped obtain appointment of Zubair Al Zubair as an International Economic Advisor to the city, obtained city business cards in Zubair Al Zubair’s name, and even provided the brothers with City of East Cleveland Police Badges.

    An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of actors unique to this case. These include each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

    This case is being investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the IRS−Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Om Kakani for the Northern District of Ohio. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Wyoming County Ambulance Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Tax Crimes

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Christopher J. Smyth, 49, of Pineville, was sentenced yesterday, March 3, 2025, to three years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,616,704.76 in restitution for not paying the taxes withheld from employees’ wages at an ambulance service he operated and obstructing the IRS’ efforts to collect those taxes.

    According to court documents and evidence presented in court, from 2012 through part of 2017, Smyth operated Stat EMS LLC, an ambulance service located in Pineville. Smyth created Stat EMS after a previous ambulance business Smyth operated accrued millions of dollars of employment tax liabilities and filed for bankruptcy. Smyth caused Stat EMS to be founded in the name of a nominee owner but continued operating the business in the same manner as before.

    At Stat EMS, Smyth was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from employees’ wages and paying them to the IRS.  For years, however, Smyth did not fully pay the taxes to the IRS. Instead, he paid various personal expenses and transferred funds to businesses held by his friends and family. The IRS determined that Stat EMS accrued approximately $3.3 million in unpaid taxes.

    Eventually, the IRS assessed the unpaid taxes against Smyth personally and attempted to collect those assessments from him. When interviewed by an IRS revenue officer attempting to collect Smyth’s unpaid tax debts, Smyth stated that he had no personal bank accounts and denied that he used anyone else’s. In reality, however, he regularly deposited his paychecks into an account in a relative’s name. He also attempted to mislead the revenue officer by representing that he had nothing to do with several other businesses, even though he had signature authority over their bank accounts.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

    “The jury found that Mr. Smyth failed to pay more than $4.6 million withheld from his employees’ wages and obstructed efforts to recover those withholdings,” said Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston. “Ambulance services are critical to our communities, and Mr. Smyth repeatedly chose to jeopardize his by engaging in a 15-year scheme that was immense in its scope and scale. The sentence in this case serves to deter others who seek to break the law at the expense of the American taxpayer.”

    The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief David Zisserson and Trial Attorneys Kavitha Bondada and Andrew Ascencio of the Tax Division, along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Goes for the Southern District of West Virginia, prosecuted the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Marcas Cory Anglin, 30, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 2, 2020, law enforcement officers attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Anglin in the Pool area of Nicholas County. Anglin fled from officers in his vehicle and later on foot before engaging in a standoff with officers while armed with a loaded Glock model 27 .40-caliber pistol. Officers arrested Anglin and seized the firearm.

    Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Anglin knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for armed burglary of a dwelling in Hillsborough County, Florida, Circuit Court on June 19, 2014.

    Anglin is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

    Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the West Virginia State Police.

    Senior United States District Judge David A Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum 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 copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-153.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran National With Prior Convictions Charged For Illegally Reentering The United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LAS VEGAS – A Honduran National residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance Friday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

    Joel Pacheco-Hernandez, 46, is charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 14, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III.

    According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Pacheco-Hernandez is a citizen and national of Honduras who was previously deported and removed from the United States on September 11, 2015, and re-entered the United States illegally on or before May 5, 2022. 

    In May 2022, the North Las Vegas, Nevada, Municipal Court convicted Pacheco-Hernandez of battery. In November 2022, the Clark County District Attorney filed a Criminal Complaint with the Justice Court, Las Vegas, Nevada, for the charges of Insurance Fraud and Forgery. On January 22, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was arrested for Use/Possess Person ID of Another to Avoid/Delay Prosecution, and on an active bench warrant. On February 13, 2025, Pacheco-Hernandez was convicted in Clark County of conspiracy to commit a crime, and he was sentenced to imprisonment. Pacheco-Hernandez has prior convictions for Conspiracy to Commit Larceny, and an Aggravated Felony Robbery, prior to his first removal in 2015.

    The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned of Pacheco-Hernandez’s presence in the United States on January 23, 2025, after he was arrested by state law enforcement, in Clark County, Nevada. On February 21, 2025, ICE arrested Pacheco-Hernandez at the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center.

    If convicted, Pacheco-Hernandez faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

    Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Field Office Director Michael Bernacke made the announcement.

    The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Halifax — Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit charges man with multiple human trafficking-related offences

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) has charged a man with offences related to human trafficking, including Procuring Person Under 18, Advertising Sexual Services, and Trafficking in Persons.

    In July 2023, the HTU received a report from a victim of human trafficking who was a youth at the time the offences began. Over the course of the investigation, the officers became aware of a second victim. Offences took place between 2017 and 2023, while the victims and the accused were in Nova Scotia.

    On February 22, 2025, officers from HTU travelled to British Columbia and arrested Simon McNamee, 31, as he was living in Vancouver at the time.

    He was transported back to Nova Scotia, where he was charged with a total of seventeen offences, including Receiving Material Benefit from Sexual Services, Procuring – Person Under 18, Advertising Sexual Services, and Trafficking in Persons.

    McNamee appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on February 26 and was released by the courts on conditions pending future court appearances.

    Cpl. Brianna Taker notes that police investigations can be guided by the needs of the victims.

    “We are here to support victims of human trafficking, which often includes laying charges and making arrests, however, we will only proceed if victims are comfortable with charges being laid,” says Cpl. Taker. “We collaborate with many other support organizations in Nova Scotia who provide resources for victims, and the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit can be reached at anytime on our Hotline – 902-449-2425. As always, call 911 if you’re in immediate danger.”

    Nova Scotia HTU worked with Vancouver Police Department and RCMP in British Columbia to advance this investigation.

    More information about human trafficking is available here, including how to recognize the signs of human trafficking.

    Note: The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Unit is comprised of members of the Nova Scotia RCMP, Halifax Regional Police, and New Glasgow Regional Police, and is supported by police officers from across the province.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Murder investigation launched after teenage boy was shot in Clapham

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met has launched a murder investigation after a boy was shot in Clapham.

    Police were called at 15:21hrs on Tuesday, 4 March to reports of a shooting in Paradise Road, SW4.

    Officers attended the scene along with London’s Air Ambulance and London Ambulance Service.

    Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, the 16-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Officers are working at pace to identify the teenager and contact his next of kin.

    Superintendent Gabriel Cameron, who is leading the local policing response, said:

    “This is an enormously shocking incident which I imagine will cause huge distress to the local community.

    “Our thoughts are with the young boy’s family at this devastating time.

    “Local officers are on the scene gathering CCTV and speaking to witnesses to piece together what has happened. They will be supported by specialist homicide investigators shortly.

    “Please rest assured we will work around the clock to identify and find those responsible.”

    No arrests have been made at this early stage of the investigation.

    A crime scene and cordons remain in place while emergency services undertake their enquiries, which are ongoing.

    If you were a witness or have any information, please call police on 101 with the reference 4116/4MAR.

    You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 if you want to remain anonymous.

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