NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbus men sentenced to decades in prison for their roles in drug & human trafficking rings, overdose & violent deaths

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two Columbus men were sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 25years and 23 years in prison for drug crimes, sex trafficking crimes and their roles in the deaths of a local man and woman. The defendants are two of nearly two dozen individuals charged in a case involving large-scale drug and human trafficking rings, the overdose death of at least one individual and the violent death of a second victim.

    Dustin A. Speakman, 35, of Columbus, was sentenced to 276 months in prison. He pleaded guilty in March 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances within 1,000 of an elementary school. As part of his plea, Speakman admitted to his role in the violent death of one victim that occurred during the time he was operating a drug distribution house.

    Tyler Bourdo, 31, of Columbus, was sentenced to 300 months in prison. He also pleaded guilty in March 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances within 1,000 of an elementary school, as well as distributing fentanyl and cocaine that resulted in death and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking.

    Speakman and Bourdo are two of 23 defendants charged in a narcotics and human trafficking case that involves at least two deaths. Two of the defendants were found guilty following a jury trial last month. All 23 defendants have been convicted or pleaded guilty.

    According to court documents, from 2008 until June 2022, lead defendants Patrick Saultz and Cordell Washington ran a large-scale drug trafficking organization in Columbus that included sex trafficking, labor trafficking and money laundering.

    Court documents detail that the drug trafficking organization brought large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, alprazolam and marijuana into Columbus. These drugs were sold or used to coerce individuals into sexual activity for some members of the drug ring and their profit.

    Speakman joined the drug trafficking organization after being released from jail in 2022, where he was housed with Saultz. Speakman was a mid-level drug distributor for the group out of residences on South Ogden and South Warren.

    As part of his guilty plea, Speakman admitted to severely beating one of his drug runners in May 2022 and then providing him with free drugs to make up for the attack. Witnesses said the male was beaten by Speakman and then given cocaine and fentanyl as compensation. Shortly after, the victim began to seize and foam at the mouth and did not respond to Narcan. The victim was driven to an alley near Grant Hospital where he was found unconscious by Columbus Fire Department personnel with severe trauma to the face and head. His cause of death was ultimately determined to be blunt force trauma caused by Speakman.

    Bourdo supplied and oversaw the drug distribution at one of the stash houses on North Warren. He was providing the property’s owners approximately $100 in illegal narcotics per day for use of the residence.

    According to Bourdo’s plea agreement, on Oct. 14, 2021, an individual was found deceased in an alley between Bourdo’s primary residence and a drug distribution house. The woman was found with a needle in her hand and another needle in her pocket and had been dead for approximately 18 hours.

    Further investigation revealed that, on Oct. 10, 2021, the woman had overdosed on crack cocaine and fentanyl at one of the organization’s drug houses that Bourdo supplied on North Warren. Witnesses on site immediately placed the woman in a bathtub and soaked her in cold water. The witnesses provided multiple rounds of Narcan, CPR and chest compressions, eventually resuscitating her. The woman left and, over the next 48 hours, met up with Bourdo on more than one occasion to get and use more drugs.

    Video surveillance of the alley shows Bourdo walking to the deceased woman’s body just moments before police personnel arrived to attempt (unsuccessfully) to obtain her phone to prevent further investigation into her death.

    As part of his plea, Bourdo admitted to coercing adult drug-addicted females into performing commercial sex acts by using violence as well as providing and then withholding or threatening to withhold narcotics and lodging.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris commended the investigation coordinated by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes Columbus Division of Police Chief Elaine Bryant; Jared Murphey , Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Andrew Lawton, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other agencies that have assisted the task force with the investigation include the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, HIDTA Task Force, IRS-Criminal Investigation, FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), Ohio National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Pickerington Police Department, New Albany Police Department, and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Timothy Prichard and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mercer County Accounting Professor Convicted Of Tax Evasion And Filing False Tax Returns Sentenced To 24 Months In Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County, New Jersey man was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for evading federal income taxes and filing false tax returns, Acting U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Gordian A. Ndubizu, of Princeton Junction, New Jersey, was convicted on Aug. 15, 2024, of all eight counts of an indictment charging him with four counts of tax evasion and four counts of filing false tax returns in tax years 2014 through 2017, following a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi, who imposed the sentence today in Trenton federal court.

    According to documents filed in this case and evidence introduced at trial:

    During tax years 2014 through 2017, Ndubizu was a professor of accounting at a university in Pennsylvania as well as the co-owner of Healthcare Pharmacy in Trenton, New Jersey. Healthcare Pharmacy was organized as an S corporation, the income of which flowed through to Ndubizu and his wife and was to be reported on their personal income tax returns. Ndubizu prepared fraudulent books and records for Healthcare Pharmacy inflating the pharmacy’s costs of goods sold to reduce and underreport the pharmacy’s actual profits flowing through to Ndubizu and his wife. In the fraudulent books and records, among other things, Ndubizu identified certain wire transfers as payments to purchase goods sold by the pharmacy when those wire transfers were in fact made to personal bank accounts under Ndubizu’s control and to bank accounts in Nigeria associated with an automotive company under Ndubizu’s control. Each of Ndubizu’s tax returns for tax years 2014 through 2017 falsely underreported his income and falsely reported that he had no financial interest in or signature authority over any foreign bank accounts. Ndubizu failed to report approximately $3.28 million in income from the pharmacy, resulting in the evasion of approximately $1.25 million in tax due and owing.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Khanna credited special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark, with the investigation leading to the sentencing. He also thanked special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and officers of the Trenton Police Department and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for their work on this case.  

    The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Ashley Super Pitts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Owner of Oahu Physical Therapy Clinic Sentenced to Nine Months in Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud

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

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that Stephen Timothy Wells, 41, of Waialua, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake to 9 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release for health care fraud. Wells, the owner of Oahu Spine and Rehab, a physical therapy clinic with locations in Kailua and Aiea, pleaded guilty to the charge on September 27, 2024. As part of his sentence, Wells was also ordered to pay restitution to TRICARE, a healthcare program for United States military service members and their families, and Medicare totaling $392,157.20.

    In his plea agreement, Wells admitted that from July 2013 through early 2020, he submitted false claims for payment for physical therapy services to TRICARE and Medicare. Wells used individuals not trained in physical therapy, including massage therapists, athletic trainers, personal trainers, and an individual who had no professional licenses or certifications whatsoever, to provide physical therapy services to patients. Wells admitted that he knew these individuals were not authorized providers and that he could not legitimately bill TRICARE and Medicare for physical therapy services rendered by them, even under supervision. Nevertheless, Wells billed the programs as though the services had been provided by licensed practitioners.

    “Tens of billions of dollars are lost to health care fraud each year, robbing Americans of vitally needed quality health services,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “Over a nearly seven-year period, the defendant endeavored to bilk our nation’s taxpayer-funded TRICARE and Medicare programs out of as much money as possible. He diverted scarce program dollars from military service members and their families, as well as elderly and disabled Americans—some the most deserving and physically and financially vulnerable members of our society. Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to those who attempt to cheat our taxpayer funded insurance programs: you will be caught and when you are, a prison sentence awaits.”

    This case was investigated by the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Rebecca Perlmutter prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Number of people taken ill in Camden

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Police are aware and are investigating the circumstances after a number of people have been taken ill in and around the Camden area today (Monday, 3 March).

    We are aware of nine cases and believe that all of these people have fallen ill after taking a substance believed to be heroin. At this time, there have been no fatalities but we continue to monitor the situation.

    Working alongside our partners, including the local council, enquiries are underway to establish if these drugs are the cause of these people being taken ill.

    There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing.

    Public safety is our priority and our advice remains that people should not buy, sell or consume illegal drugs – they are illegal and the trade is not regulated, so there are always very serious risks associated with taking these substances.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Temple Terrace Man Indicted for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death

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

    Tampa, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the return of an indictment charging Charles Zumbahlen (31, Temple Terrace) with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. If convicted, Zumbahlen faces a minimum penalty of 20 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Zumbahlen that the United States intends to forfeit all assets which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

    According to the indictment, on November 24, 2024, Zumbahlen distributed a lethal amount of fentanyl that resulted in the death of Victim-1. 

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

    This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Garcia Rich.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Beaufort Native Leads the Way at FRCE

    Source: United States Navy

    From writing a report titled “The Sound of Freedom” in elementary school to later enlisting in the Army, Beaufort, North Carolina, native David Rose has always been driven by a deep sense of dedication to serving his country.

    Today, as the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) executive director – the senior civilian for a command workforce comprised of more than 4,000 civilian, contractor and military personnel – Rose continues to embody that commitment, proving that his passion for service has only grown stronger with time.

    Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, a region with strong military ties, Rose developed an appreciation for the armed forces and a lifelong desire to pursue law enforcement. This passion led him to join the Army in 1996, where he served as a military police officer during his five-year enlistment. Rose said several experiences throughout his youth inspired him to enlist, making it an obvious choice after graduating from East Carteret High School. 

    “As a child, I was fixated on becoming a police officer, but I also knew I wanted to serve my country in some capacity,” said Rose. “My grandfather and uncle served, so I felt inspired by them. Back in high school, I did some ride alongs with deputy sheriffs and state troopers who were mostly former military. They would tell me stories about their time in the military and I remember their advice was to join, so that also contributed to my decision.

    “Not only that, just being surrounded by the military presence here in Eastern North Carolina during my childhood was inspiring,” Rose continued. “The air shows, going to the state port in Morehead City to be a part of the fanfare as the Marines, sailors and soldiers returned from Operation Desert Storm, it all played a part in my decision. So, when I realized the Army offered my choice of military occupational specialty, it was a no-brainer.”

    After separating from the Army with an honorable discharge in 2001, Rose returned to Eastern North Carolina for a brief stint with the State of North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Soon after hearing about all the opportunities going on at the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP), Rose decided to make a career change and accepted employment with Raytheon Aerospace supporting NADEP, which is now known as FRCE.

    “I had recently married, and we had our first child,” said Rose. “I decided it was a good time to reevaluate my career path.

    “Having grown up in the area, I was well aware of the many folks from the community that served in this command, to include some family members,” he continued. “Because of that, I already knew about the depot and its mission, and I was really intrigued by the opportunities here. Not only that, but it also allowed me to continue to serve my country in a similar capacity.”

    In 2002, Rose accepted employment as a civil servant and started his career with FRCE as a pneudraulic systems worker for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Production Department, formerly known as the Production Floor Trades Department. He has since worked his way up the chain of command, gaining years of large-scale experience in diversified logistics and industrial operations, all of which led him to his current role of executive director.

    “I have been fortunate to be a part of the FRC East team for well over 20 years now and have grown very passionate for FRC East, its workforce and capabilities,” he said. “The people employed here are proud Americans and proud to support the mission. It’s not just a job. It’s a career, it’s a family, and I am incredibly grateful to be a part of it.” 

    As a military aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul depot, FRCE’s mission is to provide the nation’s military with the highest quality aircraft, engines, components and field services on time and at the best value to the American taxpayer. Rose said this is why the work FRCE does is so critical. 

    “What we do here is absolutely vital to national security,” said Rose. “As part of the Commander Fleet Readiness Centers, the FRC East team plays a crucial role in ensuring our military aviators, crew members and teammates can carry out their missions safely and efficiently. That’s why it’s imperative that we put forth our best efforts and diligence in producing high-quality products for the warfighter. We want them to have dependable assets for when they must take the fight to the enemy.”

    Rose said his experiences within the greater Naval Aviation Enterprise have helped him understand the role and impact the depot’s civilian workforce plays in supporting the Navy and Marine Corps fleet readiness, as well as the other services.

    “Back when I was an artisan on the shop floor, I remember the lasting impression of seeing aircraft and engines that were the result of the casualty of battle,” said Rose. “Seeing an engine with shrapnel or foreign object debris damage, or an aircraft riddled with holes from enemy fire — holy moly, it really puts everything into perspective. You’re looking at the very evidence of what our nation’s military members are subjected to as they defend our country. It gives you a sense of humility and pride because our mission here at FRC East is to turn those battle-damaged aircraft into mission-ready and fully combat-capable machines.”

    Sharing experiences like those with colleagues at FRCE has shown him that the depot’s strength truly lies in its people.

    “During my time here, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the most selfless, skilled and dedicated individuals in the world,” said Rose. “I’ve witnessed first-hand the loyalty and dedication from many of the people who work here, and I can say with certainty that what makes FRC East truly special is its workforce. It’s not just about getting the job done – it’s about how and when presented with a challenge, we always come together to support each other and ultimately rise to the challenge and solve the problem.”

    Having worked alongside many skilled and dedicated people during his time at FRCE, Rose values both formal and informal mentorship. That’s why, in his new role, he plans to continue encouraging mentorship within the command.

    “As I sit here now, I can think of at least 20 individuals from our various occupations who have, through the course of my career, poured into me the guidance and support I needed to get to where I am today,” he said. “I admit, I don’t have all the answers, but I know within this organization, we have the people who, collectively, have all the answers. That’s the beauty of the FRC East team and mentorship. There is no challenge that we can’t overcome or solve together.”

    Just as mentors guide their mentees, Rose said he approaches his leadership role with the intent to do the same, believing that if you take care of your people, they will rise to any challenge. As a servant leader, someone who prioritizes the needs and growth of their team members above their own, Rose is committed to leading by example, willing to roll up his sleeves and do anything he asks of his employees.

    “I won’t ever do anything or ask anything of my folks that I wouldn’t do myself or haven’t already done myself,” said Rose. “That was something that was engrained into me during my time in the military. At FRC East, we are the largest industrial employer, arguably, east of interstate 95. It takes the entire team being laser focused, understanding that it takes everyone’s skill sets, experiences, and knowledge to make our mission happen – it’s all of us.”

    Rose described FRCE’s success as a puzzle with many pieces and, while each employee at the facility represents a piece, not all the pieces lie within the depot’s walls. He said a huge part of the puzzle is the support from the surrounding community.

    “We are very fortunate to have overwhelming support from our local and regional area,” said Rose. “The city of Havelock, Craven County, and all of the surrounding counties, within a 50-plus-mile radius, the State of North Carolina, and last but not least, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point – they all support our mission. 

    “There’s nothing like the local community here,” Rose continued. “They’re all rooting for us to succeed.  I’m aware of other communities surrounding other military organizations across the nation that may not favor them, but everyone here knows the importance of what we do. They advocate for us, and we are fortunate to have their support.”

    In the end, Rose’s decision to join the FRCE workforce in 2002 brought him back to his roots: advocating for the military, just as he did in a book report he wrote in the early 1980s as a student at Smyrna elementary school.

    “Back in the ‘80s, when I was in third or fourth grade, I wrote a book report I titled ‘The Sound of Freedom,’” Rose said. “It focused on the recent arrival of the AV-8B Harrier to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and the importance of the military in the community. I remember making the point that, even at that young age, I valued the military presence in Eastern North Carolina and how it provides freedom and safety for all American citizens.

    “That report was, and still is, a big deal to me because it inspired me to learn more about and defend the mission of MCAS Cherry Point and the depot,” he continued. “It all came full circle in the end. Fast forward to now, as the executive director of the same facility I wrote about in that report as young child… who would have ever thought?”

    FRCE is North Carolina’s largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, with more than 4,000 civilian, military and contract workers. Its annual revenue exceeds $1 billion. The depot provides service to the fleet while functioning as an integral part of the greater U.S. Navy; Naval Air Systems Command; and Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in Religious Land Use Case in Clarion, Pennsylvania, Alleging Unequal Treatment of Religious Assembly Uses

    Source: United States Attorneys General 3

    The Justice Department filed a statement of interest today in the Western District of Pennsylvania supporting a lawsuit brought by the Hope Rising Community Church, which alleges that the Borough of Clarion’s zoning code violates the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).

    The statement of interest was filed in Hope Rising Community Church v. Borough of Clarion, a lawsuit alleging that the Borough violated RLUIPA by enacting and enforcing zoning provisions that treat religious uses less favorably than similar secular assemblies. The lawsuit alleges that the Church has outgrown its current facility and that the only suitable property in the Borough is located in the Borough’s C-2 Commercial District. This District does not allow houses of worship, but permits nonreligious assembly uses like theaters and civic/cultural buildings. When the Church approached the Borough about using the property for religious purposes, Borough officials allegedly told the Church that the Borough would not grant zoning approval and that the Borough did not “need any more Churches.”    

    “Congress enacted RLUIPA to ensure that zoning ordinances treat religious assemblies on par with nonreligious assemblies,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Mac Warner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Zoning codes that prohibit religious uses while permitting comparable secular uses violate RLUIPA. Central to the Civil Rights Division’s mission is combatting religious discrimination and ensuring that houses of worship receive equal treatment under the law. We will continue to protect the foundational right of all Americans to religious freedom.”

    The Borough filed a motion to dismiss the Church’s lawsuit, arguing in part that the Church had failed to properly allege an equal terms claim under RLUIPA and that the Church was not sufficiently injured by the Borough’s conduct to assert such a claim. The Department’s statement of interest refutes these contentions, explaining that the Church has properly alleged an equal terms claim and that the Church, which cannot develop its proposed religious facility, has suffered a concrete injury.

    RLUIPA is a federal law that protects persons and religious institutions from unduly burdensome, unequal or discriminatory land use regulations. More information about RLUIPA and the Department’s efforts to enforce it can be found on the Place to Worship Initiative’s webpage.

    Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in land use or zoning decisions may contact the Civil Rights Division Housing and Civil Enforcement Section at (800) 896-7743, or through the online RLUIPA complaint portal.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Board Briefed on Ukraine, Iran, Gender Parity, AI and More

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Mr Grossi then turned to the IAEA’s flagship initiatives, starting with Atoms4Food, a joint FAO/IAEA initiative aimed at boosting global food security. He said about 27 countries had already requested help under the scheme. “I want to thank the countries that have already started manifesting their interest to provide financing for this important project,” the Director General added. 

    Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All is an IAEA initiative to bring life-saving cancer care to countries where there is little access to radiotherapy. Mr Grossi explained that 90 countries, mostly in the developing world, had requested assistance under the scheme.  

    And around 100 countries have expressed interest in NUTEC Plastics, the IAEA initiative aimed at monitoring and reducing plastic pollution using nuclear techniques and applications. 

    “So all of these are also confirmations of the very concrete, very tangible, not rhetorical ways in which all of us together and this organization help to solve problems around the world,” the Director General said. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Validated Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WILMINGTON, N.C. – Jamari Tyrek Ishman, age 24, was sentenced to 46 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ishman pled guilty to the charge on November 20, 2024.

    According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, Ishman was stopped by the Edenton Police Department for an expired registration violation on March 16, 2024. The officer detected an odor of marijuana and saw an open bottle of wine in the passenger seat. The officer also saw that Ishman had a juvenile passenger in the car. Based on the odor and open container, the officer asked Ishman and his juvenile passenger to exit the car. Once out of the car, the officer noticed Ishman had a red bandana in his back pocket, believed to reflect Ishman’s validated status as a member of the Bloods street gang. The officer searched Ishman and found a firearm magazine in his pants pocket. Ishman initially denied that there was a gun in the vehicle that matched the magazine, however, he ultimately admitted that there was a gun under the seat. The officer searched the vehicle and found a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine under the seat. The officer also found a pill bottle with a small amount of marijuana inside.

    Ishman is a previously convicted felon prohibited from legally possessing a firearm. His felony convictions include assault inflicting serious bodily injury on a detention employee in 2021 as well as multiple convictions in 2019 for breaking and entering.

    The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is a collaborative effort with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. VCAP involves focused and strategic enforcement, and interagency coordination and intelligence-led policing.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. Agencies involved in the investigation include the Edenton Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon is prosecuting 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 number: 2:24-cr-00024-M-BM.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Ahoskie Gang Leader Sentenced to Over Four and a Half Years for Selling a Device that Converts Firearms to Machineguns

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – An Ahoskie man was sentenced to 55 months in prison and three years’ supervised release for the illegal transfer of a machinegun after an investigation determined that he was illegally selling machinegun conversion devices, or “switches,” which convert semi-automatic firearms to fully automatic.  On October 30, 2024, Quayshaun Deonte Howington, age 33, pled guilty to the charge.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, in April 2023, authorities in Ahoskie and Hertford County launched an investigation into the illegal sale of firearm switches by Howington, aka “Mad Max,” a high ranking member of the G-Shine set of the United Blood Nation street gang.  Law enforcement oversaw the controlled purchase of multiple switches from Howington between April and June of 2023.  Subsequent analysis of the switches conducted by law enforcement confirmed all were drop-in auto-sears which serve only to convert firearms to machineguns.  Furthermore, the switches were determined to be produced by a 3D printer and not a licensed firearms manufacturer.

    “We will do all we can to keep auto-sears out of the hands of criminal enterprises and those who look to harm the public,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “My office will continue to work with our state partners to prosecute these important cases.”

    “This sentencing is a testament to the dedication and hard work of multiple law enforcement agencies that played a crucial role in the investigation, prosecution, and apprehension of Howington,” said Hertford County Sheriff Dexter Hayes. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of our community and sends a clear message to those involved in the sale of illegal narcotics, firearms, and violent crime—we will arrest you, prosecute you, and you will go to prison.”

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle.  The Hertford County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick 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. 2:23-CR-21-BO-RN.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to Making False Statements Under Oath in a Bankruptcy Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Travis Lee Harry, 40, of Kernersville, North Carolina, pleaded guilty today to making false statements under oath in a bankruptcy case.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Harry had owned and lived in a house in Princeton, West Virginia, which he sold on December 23, 2019. On February 5, 2020, Harry filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. On the Statement of Financial Affairs he submitted as part of the bankruptcy filing, and which he signed under penalty of perjury, Harry falsely stated that he and his spouse co-owned the house and sold it together. At a March 6, 2020, meeting of creditors as part of the bankruptcy proceeding, Harry falsely testified under oath that he had co-owned the house with his spouse. Harry admitted as part of his guilty plea that he solely owned the house, and that his spouse was never a co-owner. Harry further admitted that he falsely indicated during the creditors’ meeting that all of the proceeds from selling the house went to pay taxes.

    Harry is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of five 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The United States Trustee’s Charleston field office, which serves West Virginia, made the criminal referral of this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public.

    Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting 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. 1:24-cr-143.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Paul W. Brown Named Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office

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

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation has named Paul W. Brown as the special agent in charge of the Atlanta Field Office. Mr. Brown most recently served as the special agent in charge of the Mobile Field Office.

    Mr. Brown joined the FBI as a special agent in 2006 and was first assigned to the Bedford Resident Agency in New Hampshire.

    In 2012, Mr. Brown was promoted to supervisory special agent and moved to the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. He was promoted to unit chief in 2013 and served as a program manager over U.S.-based international terrorism investigations.

    Mr. Brown transferred in 2015 to the Jacksonville Field Office, where he led the North Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force.

    In 2018, Mr. Brown was selected to serve as the assistant special agent in charge of cyber, counterintelligence, and crisis response programs of the Phoenix Field Office. He left in 2019 when he was promoted to section chief and appointed director of the FBI’s High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group.

    Mr. Brown was promoted again in 2020 to deputy assistant director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate. In 2022, he moved to Alabama to serve as the special agent in charge of the Mobile Field Office.

    Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Brown served as an officer in the U.S. Army and worked as a business consultant for a multinational professional services company.  He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and an MBA from Tarleton State University in Texas.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Cartel Boss Tied to Southlake Murder-for-Hire Among Defendants Expelled From Mexico

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

    Among the 29 cartel bosses expelled from Mexico and transferred to the custody of the United States on Thursday was Northern District of Texas defendant Jose Rodolfo Villarreal Hernandez, aka “El Gato,” announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham. 

    Mr. Villarreal Hernandez, a Mexican national who held a high-level position in the Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO) Drug Cartel, was charged in June 2018 with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire in the brutal slaying of a 43-year-old Southlake, Texas lawyer in 2013. 

    He was added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List in October 2020 and arrested by Mexican law enforcement agents in Atizapán de Zaragoza, Mexico in January 2023.

    Attorney General Pam Bondi announced his successful extradition yesterday, pledging to prosecute all extradited cartel bosses “to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers — and in some cases, given their lives — to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels.” 

    Mr. Villarreal Hernandez will make his initial appearance in federal court next week.

    According to evidence presented at the trial of his coconspirators, Mr. Villarreal Hernandez allegedly directed and financed a multi-year effort to locate and assassinate his victim, an attorney with ties to a rival cartel. Testimony revealed that Mr. Villarreal Hernandez allegedly believed the attorney was involved with the death of Mr. Villarreal Hernandez’s father and wanted revenge. 

    The victim was shot while sitting in the passenger seat of his vehicle outside an upscale shopping center in  Southlake on May 22, 2013. His wife was standing near the driver’s side door when her husband was killed. 

    Three men who, acting on orders from Mr. Villarreal Hernandez, tracked the victim prior to his death were convicted and sentenced in 2016: Jose Luis Cepeda-Cortes and Jesus Gerardo Ledezma-Cepeda were convicted at trial of interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire; Mr. Cepeda-Cortez was also convicted of tampering with documents or proceedings. Both men received life sentences. Jesus Gerardo Ledezma-Campano, son of Mr. Ledezma-Cepeda, pleaded guilty prior to trial to one count of interstate stalking and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

    A fourth defendant, Ramon Villarreal-Hernandez, the brother of Jose Rodolfo, was arrested in Mexico and extradited to the United States in 2020. He pleaded guilty to interstate stalking in June 2022 and was sentenced to ten years in prison.

    According to the U.S. State Department, in addition to allegedly ordering the Southlake murder, Mr. Villarreal Hernandez is believed to have overseen the importation of large quantities of cocaine into the United States as well as committing violent acts within the Republic of Mexico and the United States to maintain his organization’s power and status.

    “After more than a decade, Mr. Villarreal Hernandez will have to answer for his alleged crimes in an American courtroom,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham. “Since the victim was gunned down in a public parking lot in 2013, law enforcement’s commitment to this case has never wavered. I extend my sincere thanks to the federal, state, local, and international partners who have pulled together to ensure this defendant will be brought to justice.”

    “FBI Dallas and the Southlake Police Department have been determined to bring this individual to justice since he orchestrated a brutal murder in one of the many communities we serve in North Texas,” said R. Joseph Rothrock, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Dallas Field Office. “We would like to thank the United States Marshals Service for ensuring that Villarreal-Hernandez arrived safely and is now in federal custody on U.S. soil.”

    “An investigative success such as this one does not come easily or through individual efforts.  Policing is a team sport,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez. “We are proud to stand hand-in-hand with our colleagues from the FBI to secure Villarreal Hernández’ indictment, arrest, and transfer.  Violence and drug trafficking are evil bedfellows, but together we will ensure communities remain safe and criminals face justice.”

    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Mr. Villarreal Hernandez is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    The statutory maximum penalty for interstate stalking is life in prison; the statutory maximum for the murder-for-hire charge is life in prison or death.

    The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division, with assistance from the Southlake Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, US. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, the Fort Worth Police Department, and the Grapevine Police Department. The  Mexican Secretariat of the Navy, Fiscalía Generalde la República (FGR), Coordinación Nacional Antisecuestro (CONASE) coordinated in the arrest of Mr. Villarreal-Hernandez.  The U.S. Marshal Service for the Northern District of Texas assisted in securing the defendant upon his arrival in Texas. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI’s Legal Attaché Office in Mexico City, and the U.S. Marshals Mexico City Foreign Field Office provided valuable assistance.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Burgess (fmr) and Aisha Saleem prosecuted the case against Mr. Luis Cepeda-Cortes, Mr. Ledezma-Cepeda, and Mr. Ledezma-Campano. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn Smith and Laura Montes are prosecuting the case against Mr. Villarreal Hernandez.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Vermont Man Sentenced to 132 Months for Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gabriel Charron, age 53, of Milton, Vermont, was sentenced today to 132 months in prison, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, for the attempted online enticement of a minor.

    Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    As part of his prior guilty plea, Charron admitted that between May 2022 and March 4, 2023, he exchanged sexually explicit messages online with people he believed were a mother and an 11-year old girl, in an attempt to entice the child into engaging in sexual acts with him.  Charron also admitted that on March 4, 2023, he traveled from Vermont to a hotel in Albany County, New York, with the intent to engage in sexual acts with the 11-year old girl.  Charron was arrested by law enforcement shortly after arriving at the location. 

    Charron will have to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

    FBI Albany investigated this case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Birmingham Man Convicted on Gun and Drug Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal jury has convicted a 35-year-old Birmingham man for possession of a machinegun and drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Nashville Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz.

    The jury returned a guilty verdict against Frederick Leonard Temple, Jr., aka “Cutt”, and “Cutthroat” after 4 days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala. Temple was convicted of possession of a machine gun, two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

    “This individual posed a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities, and Friday’s verdict sends a clear message that we will not tolerate such dangerous and unlawful activities,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who engage in violence and drug trafficking are held accountable for their actions.”

    “Drug trafficking and gun violence are major issues affecting our communities at alarming rates,” ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge Stankiewicz said. “Those involved in illegal firearm possession and drug distribution are being held accountable. The ATF will continue to work with our state, local, and federal partners to disrupt these cycles and combat violent crime.”

    According to evidence presented at trial, Temple distributed fentanyl on two different occasions. After the distributions, the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force searched his home pursuant to a search warrant and recovered 14 firearms, including a machinegun; several firearm magazines, including 100- and 50-round drum magazines; a large amount of ammunition; fentanyl; methamphetamine; 6 digital scales of various sizes; and other drug paraphernalia.

    The ATF investigated the case along with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Birmingham Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristy M. Peoples and Alan Kirk are prosecuting the case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Colombian Nationals Charged with Drug-Trafficking on Alabama Interstate

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal grand jury indicted two Colombian nationals for drug crimes, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank.

    A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Cristian Yesid Lugo-Beltran, 24, and Johan Leandro Zapata-Valencia, 23, with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

    According to the indictment, on February 6, 2024, Lugo-Beltran and Zapata-Valencia possessed with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The traffic stop of both men occurred on Interstate 65 in Shelby County.  

    HSI investigated the case, along with Calera Police Department and Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany T. Byrd and Olivia C. Brame are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Brothers from Youngstown, Ohio, Each Sentenced to at Least a Decade in Prison for Participation in Interstate Cocaine Trafficking Operation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Two Youngstown, Ohio, residents were sentenced in federal court in Pittsburgh on February 26, 2025, for their convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and related firearms and drug trafficking charges, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. The defendants were among 17 individuals from Lawrence County, Pennsylvania; Puerto Rico; and Youngstown, Ohio, indicted in March 2024 for violating federal narcotics, firearms, and racketeering laws by conspiring to distribute cocaine throughout Western Pennsylvania and Youngstown (read the Indictment news release here).

    Senior United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentences on brothers Ruben Noel Sanchez, 29, and Rubel Sanchez, 22. Ruben was sentenced to a total of 13 years of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, with the latter two charges having been filed by Information in the Northern District of Ohio. Rubel was sentenced to 10 years of prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine.

    According to information presented to the Court, the Sanchez brothers were part of an organized drug trafficking group that shipped kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico, often mailing drug parcels through the U.S. Postal Service to co-conspirators responsible for selling the cocaine in Western Pennsylvania; Youngstown, Ohio; and elsewhere. This included the Sanchez brothers receiving kilograms of cocaine directly through the mail as well as receiving and paying for cocaine that was shipped to Philadelphia and then transported across Pennsylvania to Youngstown, Ohio. Upon receipt of the cocaine, the brothers and their co-conspirators distributed the drugs to customers and multiple other co-conspirators, who then distributed the cocaine in Youngstown, Ohio, and throughout Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

    In March 2024, investigators executed a federal search warrant at a Youngstown residence utilized by the brothers in connection with their drug distribution operations, where investigators seized three Glock pistols—including one equipped with a machinegun conversion device known as a Glock switch and another loaded with ammunition; three unattached Glock switches; assorted ammunition; baggies of powder and pills that included separate mixtures and substances containing 1) fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine, 2) fentanyl and xylazine, 3) cocaine, 4) fentanyl, 5) methamphetamine, and 6) heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and xylazine; a kilo press plate used in connection with the packaging and distribution of large quantities of powdered controlled substances; and the brothers’ cell phones. Evidence, including from these cell phones and other surveillance, established that the brothers knowingly possessed the drugs with the intent to distribute them and possessed the firearms in furtherance of their drug trafficking. The brothers each were responsible for distributing and/or possessing with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, at least 40 grams of fentanyl, and quantities of heroin and methamphetamine.

    Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration, Lawrence County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Drug Task Force, and United States Postal Inspection Service, as well as the New Castle Police Department, Ellwood City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, and United States Department of Agriculture for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Sanchez brothers.

    Lawrence County is one of six Western Pennsylvania counties officially designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy. The county received its HIDTA designation in July 2022, allowing it to receive dedicated federal resources to coordinate federal, state, and local governments in fighting drug trafficking and abuse.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Wanted South Carolina Fugitive Sentenced to More than Eight Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm at Evansville Bus Stop

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EVANSVILLE— Argelius C. Croft, 37, of Greenville, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 100 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    According to court documents, on January 27, 2023, Evansville Police Department officers questioned Croft at the Evansville Greyhound Bus Station after learning that he had an active arrest warrant out of South Carolina for a pending criminal charge. When confronted, Croft provided false information about his identity to the officers and ran away from the bus station on foot carrying his backpack. After a brief foot chase, Croft fell and was arrested by EPD officers.

    During a search of his person, officers found a Ruger.22 Charger rifle with a partially obliterated serial number and a Ruger BX- 25 double-stack magazine loaded with 47 rounds inside of Croft’s backpack. When the officers found the firearm, Croft asked them to forget about it and just throw the gun in the river.

    At the time of his arrest, Croft had been convicted of numerous felonies including burglary, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and domestic violence. These prior felony convictions prohibit Croft from ever legally possessing a firearm again.

    “Deadly weapons in the hands of violent criminals fuel the shootings and deaths that have devastating impacts on our families,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This sentence should send a clear message to those who ignore their prohibition- if you choose to pick up a gun, you face a serious term in federal prison.”

    “ATF’s core mission is to identify, pursue, and perfect criminal cases against individuals who unlawfully possess or use firearms in furtherance of criminal activity,” stated Acting ATF Columbus Field Division Special Agent in Charge Thomas A. Greco. “We will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners to ensure anyone who commits violence in our communities is held accountable for their actions.”

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Over 30 individuals sentenced to federal prison following Angelina County drug trafficking investigation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BEAUMONT, Texas – Over 30 individuals have been sentenced to federal prison following a five-year investigation into drug trafficking in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    According to information presented in court, in 2019, law enforcement in Angelina County began investigating numerous individuals for trafficking methamphetamine into and through East Texas.  As of February 2025, over 30 individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for offenses including conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and other related offenses.  The investigation and prosecution of individuals from East Texas, Houston, and elsewhere, resulted in the dismantling of a drug trafficking organization that operated between Mexico, Houston, Angelina County, Tyler County, and other areas.

    The following individuals were sentenced for various roles in the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy:

    • Jesus Sanchez-Rueda, 33, of Houston – 360 months
    • Jesse Canseco, 35, of Houston – 292 months
    • Oscar Negrete, 26, of Humble – 68 months
    • Adolfo Lopez-Lemus, 35, of Houston – 57 months
    • Ryan Canseco, 35, of Houston – 120 months + 60 months for a firearms violation (for a total of 180 months)
    • Jason Thompson, 44, of Lufkin – 210 months + 60 months consecutively for a firearms violation (for a total of 295 months)
    • Krista Thompson, 38, of Lufkin – 95 months + 60 months for a firearms violation (for a total of 155 months)
    • Rogers Williams, 31, of Houston – 135 months
    • Edgar Reyes, 26, of Houston – 57 months
    • Edwin Galicia, 26, of Houston – 150 months
    • Joel Hernandez, Jr., 30, of Humble – 57 months
    • Matthew Rogers, 43, of Houston – 70 months
    • Robert Rogers, 68, of Woodville – 120 months + 60 months for a firearms violation (for a total of 180 months)
    • Dustin Dauzart, 32, of Alexandria, LA – 140 months
    • Everett Charles Lutz, 67, of Lufkin – 235 months
    • Amanda Jane Lorentz, 37, of Lufkin – 235 months
    • Kevin Edward Hughes, 30 of Lufkin – 120 months
    • Aaron Dewberry, 52, of Lufkin – 120 months
    • Charles Gregory Runnels, 46, of Zavalla – 137 months
    • Richard Lyles, 44, of Lufkin – 84 months
    • Shane Gammons, 44, of Lufkin – 96 months
    • Andrea Bosley, 49, of Lufkin – 37 months
    • Paul Smith, 62, of Lufkin – 77 months
    • Joshua Gilpin, 37, of Lufkin – 121 months + 60 months consecutively for a firearms violation (for a total of 181 months)
    • Martin Deanda, 32, of Houston – 121 months
    • Lorenzo Hernandez, 24, of Houston – 121 months
    • Larry Sanchez, 30, of Houston – 121 months
    • Eric Copaus, 44, of Houston – 135 months
    • Autumn Farley aka Autumn Sheppard, 30, of Houston – 57 months
    • Santos Navarro, 50, of Houston – 130 months
    • Fernando Arias, 26, of Humble – 87 months
    • Lamarcus Morris, 38, of Houston – 235 months
    • Luke Bridges, 49, of Missouri City – 235 months
    • Brian Jones, 45, of Pensacola, FL – 48 months

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

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Lufkin; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Angelina County Sheriff’s Office; Lufkin Police Department; Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Houston Police Department; and the Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Division.  These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.                                                                                                                                  

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: ROK, USFK, CNFK embark USS Carl Vinson, exploring operations and capabilities

    Source: United States Navy

    Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, ROK Navy Rear Adm. Kim Jihoon, Deputy Commander of Republic of Korea Fleet, and other guests, met with Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, CSG-1, spoke to subject matter experts about carrier operations on the bridge and observed flight operations from the flight deck.

    General Brunson emphasized the carrier strike group’s capabilities and shared his thoughts on the critical role these forces play in maintaining regional security and a free and open Indo-Pacific. He also emphasized how they directly support USFK’s mission in the region.

    “The Carl Vinson’s carrier strike group operations demonstrate our commitment to bolster the defense of allies and partners and strengthen our ability to ‘fight tonight and win.’ This visit, especially when coupled with realistic all domain, joint and combined training, increases interoperability and ensures we build the readiness posture to deter aggression and maintain stability in the Republic of Korea and the region,” Brunson said. “The Carl Vinson’s presence here not only underscores the importance of both the maritime and air domains but also reaffirms our commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific by integrating these unique capabilities into our comprehensive all-domain approach.”

    The group observed flight operations and discussed how to enhance capabilities of future combined operations between ROK and U.S. Navy. Rear Adm. Kim’s visit aboard Carl Vinson highlighted the partnership and collaboration between the U.S. and ROK and demonstrated the U.S. commitment to security and stability in the region.

    “Deployment of the carrier strike group to the Korean peninsula is evidence that shows the determined willingness and executive ability for a robust combined defense posture of the Republic of Korea,” said Rear Adm. Kim.

    USFK’s mission is to deter aggression, and if necessary, defend the ROK to maintain stability in Northeast Asia.

    “Bringing senior U.S. and ROK leadership out to Vinson is an opportunity to showcase the strength, capability and lethality of a carrier strike group,” said Rear Adm. Neil Koprowski, commander, CNFK. “This visit reinforces our ironclad commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance, supporting stability and security in the region.”

    CNFK is the U.S. Navy’s representative in the ROK. It provides leadership and expertise in naval matters that support the mission of USFK. CNFK works closely with the ROK Navy to improve institutional and operational effectiveness and to strengthen collective security efforts in the Korean Theater.

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group ONE and Destroyer Squadron ONE, Carrier Air Wing Two, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Carrier Air Wing Two is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    For more news from CSG-1 and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70

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  • MIL-OSI Security: “Redbull Guy” Sentenced to 40 Months of Incarceration for String of CVS Thefts

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Darryl Quander, 58, of Washington, DC, was sentenced on February 28, 2025 to 40 months incarceration, for one count of first-degree theft and three counts of felony enhanced second degree theft, for a string of retail thefts at CVS stores over a span of two months, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Quander pleaded guilty on December 17, 2024, in D.C. Superior Court to one count of first-degree theft and three counts of felony enhanced second-degree theft. The Honorable Judge Errol Arthur sentenced Quander to 12 months suspended to all but four months in prison on the first-degree theft charge and 16 months with all suspended except for 12 months on each felony enhanced second-degree theft charge. All four counts were ordered to run consecutive to one another and Quander’s incarceration is to be followed by three years of supervised release.

                According to the government’s evidence, between February 26, 2024, and April 24, 2024, Quander committed a string of thefts, mostly at the same CVS stores located in the 1000 block of 16th Street, N.W and the 1400 block of P Street NW. During that period, Quander committed 24 retail thefts over the course of 58 days. In each instance, Quander was seen on surveillance camera entering the stores, taking merchandise, specifically Red Bull and other merchandise, from the shelves, and leaving the stores without paying for the merchandise. Quander stole over $3,500 in merchandise during his crime spree.

                Quander was arrested for these offenses on June 10, 2024. 

                In announcing the indictments and the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jacksonville Man With Domestic Violence And Felony Convictions Sentenced For Illegally Attempting To Buy A Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, FL – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger has sentenced Jose Fernando Dominguez (51, Jacksonville) to 10 months in federal prison for making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm. Dominguez entered a guilty plea on October 1, 2024.

    According to court documents, in February 2024, Dominguez completed ATF Form 4473 while attempting to purchase a Springfield XD pistol from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Jacksonville. On the form, Dominguez indicated that he had not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and that he had not been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment. Both statements were false. Dominguez had previously been convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery in Duval County and three crimes punishable by more than one year of imprisonment in Miami-Dade County, including grand theft, possession of cocaine, and sale, manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent a controlled substance. Dominguez was on probation for the domestic battery conviction at the time he made the false statement on the form. Because of his prior convictions, Dominguez is prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms under federal law.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams.

    This is another case uncovered through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). All NICS denials are reported to federal law enforcement and are reviewed daily for potential criminal prosecution. Federal law makes it a felony offense to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when trying to buy a gun.   

    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former D.C. Public Official Sentenced to 15 Months for Bank Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Stole $844,000 in Funds from Pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

                WASHINGTON – Wendy Nicole Villatoro, 40, formerly of Washington, D.C., was sentenced February 28, 2025 in U.S. District Court to 15 months in federal prison for submitting fraudulent applications seeking money from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that netted her $844,000.

                The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG) Northeast Region, and Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Eastern Region.

                Villatoro, a former D.C. Homeland Security Commissioner and current employee with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pleaded guilty November 14, 2024, to bank fraud. In addition to the 15-month prison sentence, the Honorable Carl J. Nichols ordered Villatoro to serve two years of supervised release.

                According to the government’s evidence, between March 31, 2020, and August 4, 2021, Villatoro submitted eight PPP loan applications with various financial institutions and 15 Economic Injury Disaster (EID) loans with the Small Business Administration (SBA), all of which contained materially false statements. In order to get money from PPP lenders or the SBA, Villatoro submitted loans on behalf of fake businesses and inflated the number of employees, the average monthly payroll, the gross yearly revenue, or the cost of goods sold. In doing so, she tried to steal between $2.6 million and $5.5 million. While most of Villatoro’s loan applications were denied, she successfully secured over $844,000 in PPP and EID funds. Villatoro used the funds to pay off her student loans, pay off the car loan on a BMW SUV, and buy luxury items.

                As part of her plea agreement, Villatoro agreed to pay $844,415.24 in restitution to the U.S. Government and to forfeit items purchased with proceeds of the offense, including over 70 pieces of designer clothing and jewelry and a BMW SUV.

                The CARES Act is a federal law enacted on March 29, 2020, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

                The PPP allowed qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds were required to be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allowed the interest and principal on the PPP loan to be forgiven if the business spent the loan proceeds on these expense items within a designated period of time after receiving the proceeds and used at least a certain percentage of the PPP loan proceeds on payroll expenses.

                The EIDL program was designed to provide economic relief to small businesses that were experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. EIDL proceeds were intended for a wide array of working capital and normal operating expenses, such as continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities and fixed debt payments. If an applicant also obtained a loan under the PPP, the EIDL funds were not to be used for the same purpose as the PPP funds.  

                The case was investigated jointly by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, USDA-OIG, and SBA-OIG. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI Washington Field Office Asset Forfeiture Unit.

                This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared English and Rick Blaylock, Jr. Valuable assistance was provided by former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Connor Mullin, Anna Forgie, and Paul V. Courtney.

                Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dangerous Firearms and Drugs the Focus of Two Takedowns in Vallejo

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

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Two Vallejo Public Safety Partnership (PSP) investigations have resulted in arrests and federal charges for eight individuals for various gun and drug offenses. The PSP investigations are a part of a larger collaborative effort to address violent crime in the city of Vallejo. Making this announcement are Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith, Chief Jason Ta of the Vallejo Police Department, Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani.

    “The application process to join the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Safety Partnership Program is competitive, and the United States Attorney’s Office is proud of the Vallejo Police Department’s selection as a participant,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith. “This program is focused on maximizing scarce resources to increase Vallejo’s ability to fight violent crime, especially crime related to gang activity involving gun violence and drug trafficking. Our office is honored to partner with Vallejo through this unique initiative to provide focused, data-driven, and evidence-based resources and expertise to promote public safety in this city. The prosecutions announced today show our commitment to that partnership, as we bring federal resources to bear in the fight make Vallejo safer for all its residents.”

    “Every community member deserves to feel safe and secure in their home,” stated Vallejo Police Chief Jason Ta. “We are overcoming our resource limitations through law enforcement and community partnerships. We must work together as a team to make Vallejo safer.”

    “Today’s announcement is yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to collaborative investigations, leveraging the skills and talents of local, state, and federal partners to disrupt violent criminal networks that threaten the success and safety of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Drug and weapons trafficking conducted by criminal networks exploits and slowly erodes communities unless law enforcement and the public stand together against it. Every family should have the opportunity to live, work, and thrive in a safe, crime-free community and the FBI remains firmly committed to disrupt and dismantle gangs and criminal networks that endanger neighborhoods and threaten the potential of all citizens.”

    “ATF is proud to be a part of a collective effort to prevent and reduce violent crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “The city of Vallejo is a safer community today because of programs like the National Public Safety Partnership or PSP. This investigation serves as a great example of the effectiveness of this program. ATF continues to stay focused on the commitment that we made to the communities we serve, and we hope to continue to have more investigations like this one.”

    Super 8

    According to court documents, since July 2024 until the present, the ATF’s Oakland Field Office has been investigating members of a loosely affiliated group that was illegally selling dangerous, high-powered weapons in Vallejo using a Super 8 motel on Solano Avenue as the hub of their criminal activity. On Feb. 20, 2025, ATF arrested four Vallejo residents charged with federal firearms offenses. Zuryess Anthony Roberts, 24, was charged with possession and transfer of a machine gun. Taezon Laurece Sanderson, 23, was charged with being felon in possession of a firearm. Divaya James Talley, 18, was charged with transfer and possession of a machine gun. Anderson Thurston, 66, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    Brown Brotherhood (BBH)

    According to court documents, the Brown Brotherhood gang is a subset of the Sureño gang and has been a frequent target of investigations of the Vallejo Police Department and the Solano County Violent Crime Task Force. The primary criminal activities of this gang have included murder, robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, burglary, and stolen vehicles. The current investigation began in February 2024 through today’s arrests and takedown. FBI arrested four people today on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.

    Leo Alonso-Medina, 32, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Carlos Higuera-Aldana, 23, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Jeremiah Salanoa, 22, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Doroteo Suastegui, 47, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

    These cases are the product of investigations by the ATF, the FBI, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Solano County Violent Crime Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt, R. Alex Cardenas, Nicole Vanek, Douglas Harman, Charles Campbell, and Adrian Kinsella are prosecuting the eight federal cases arising out of this collaborative PSP effort.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Archdiocese Priest and Convicted Child Molester Sentenced for Passport Fraud and Ordered Removed from the United States

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALEXANDRIA, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that Jorge Antonio Velez-Lopez, 69, a former Archdiocese priest and convicted child molester, has been sentenced by United States District Judge Dee D. Drell for passport fraud. Velez has been sentenced to 12 months in prison with credit for time served and a term of supervised release for one year.  He was civilly denaturalized as a United States citizen and judicially ordered removed from the United States.  As result, once Velez finishes serving his federal sentence and his sentence of imprisonment for a state offense he committed in Maryland, Velez will be remanded to the custody of Immigration Customs and Enforcement to be deported to Colombia.   

    According to documents introduced in court, Velez was born in Columbia and admitted to the U.S. as a temporary religious worker in 2003. On November 6, 2007, Velez was granted permanent residency. On March 15, 2013, he submitted an Application for Naturalization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”).  On his application, Velez stated under penalty of perjury that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested, that he had never given false or misleading information to any U.S. Government official while applying for an immigration benefit, and that he had never lied to any U.S. Government official to gain entry or admission to the U.S.  On May 23, 2013, Velez was interviewed by a USCIS officer orally confirmed that he had never given false or misleading information to any U.S. Government official while applying for an immigration benefit and had never lied to any U.S. Government official to gain entry of admission to the U.S. while under oath and penalty of perjury.  In a ceremony on May 29, 2013, Velez took the Oath of Allegiance and was naturalized as a United States citizen.

    On September 27, 2013, Velez submitted a passport application as well as his naturalization certificate to the U.S. Department of State. Velez declared under penalty of perjury that he had not included any false documents in support of the application.

    On February 19, 2020, in Howard County, Maryland, Velez was arrested by local authorities and charged with five counts of 3rd degree sex offense and one count of 4th degree sex offense.  On May 14, 2021, in the Circuit Court for Howard County in Maryland, Velez pled guilty to sexual abuse of a minor for whom he had temporary responsibility for supervising, in violation of Maryland Criminal Code § 3-602(b)(1).  He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 9 years and ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Velez confessed to having sexually abused the victim from June 19, 2005, through June 18, 2009, while serving as the child’s priest.

    “The United States Department of Justice, ICE, and our other federal law enforcement partners will use every tool in our arsenal to protect children and will prosecute and seek deportation of those who fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship,” said Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook. 

    “This case sends a clear message to individuals who commit any type of sexual offense, particularly those involving children, during the naturalization process – we will ensure that justice is done,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth. “The Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation will continue to hold individuals responsible for sexual offenses, especially those involving child victims.”

    The case was investigated by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division in New Orleans as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing national initiative designed to identify and prosecute child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtained United States citizenship.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell for the Western District of Louisiana prosecuted the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Devin Barrett with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Immigration Litigation and Autumn Cheramie with ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor.   

    Rated court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer under case numbers 1:23-cr-00212 and 1:24-cv-01534. 

        # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Man Indicted in Relation to Sex Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROANOKE, Va. – A federal grand jury here returned an indictment last week charging a Daytona Beach, Florida man with federal charges related to sex trafficking.

    Frank Smith, 27, is charged with one count of knowingly transporting an individual in interstate commerce with the intent for that individual to engage in prostitution and one count of using a facility of interstate commerce (an iPhone) to engage in the promotion of prostitution.

    “Human trafficking is a crime that often occurs in plain sight. All across the Commonwealth, in big cities and small towns, individuals are forced into this form of modern day slavery. The Justice Department is committed to ending it and holding those responsible accountable,” Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee said today. “These charges demonstrate the commitment of the Virginia State Police and our federal and local partners to rooting out human trafficking in our Commonwealth. I am grateful for their continued efforts.”

    “The Virginia State Police is committed to bringing traffickers to justice, and stopping human trafficking is a primary focus of our agency,” said Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “Our special agents work tirelessly with our federal and local partners every day to make Virginia a safer place to live.”

    According to court documents, Smith traveled with Victim 1 across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia for the purpose of prostitution. In September 2024, Smith allegedly transported Victim 1 across state lines into Roanoke, Virginia with the intent that Victim 1 engage in prostitution.

    On October 8, 2024, agents with the Virginia State Police Human Trafficking Unit, with assistance from several local law enforcement agencies, contacted Victim 1 at a hotel in Radford, Virginia after seeing an ad for her “services” posted on a website used to advertise illicit sex.

    Agents set up a “date” with Victim 1 for the purpose of performing a “knock-and-talk.” When they arrived at the hotel, they explained who they were and that she was not in trouble. Agents ultimately learned that Victim 1 had been trafficked by a male later identified as Frank Smith.

    Homeland Security Investigations and the Virginia State Police Human Trafficking Unit are investigating the case. Valuable investigative assistance was provided by the Radford Police Department, the Blacksburg Police Department, the Christiansburg Police Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Brett is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation 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: Naval Reservist Charged With Paying Bribe To Obtain Department Of Defense Identification Cards For Unauthorized Individuals, Including A Chinese National

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Raymond Andres Zumba (27, Staten Island, NY) has been arrested and charged by indictment with bribery of a public official. If convicted, Zumba faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Zumba has been ordered detained pending trial.

    According to court documents, in January 2025, a confidential source reported to law enforcement that Zumba serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve and was aware that the source’s spouse worked at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville in the personnel office that issues Department of Defense identification cards. The source reported that Zumba asked whether the spouse would be willing to issue real, but unauthorized identification cards for an under-the-table payment. Acting at the direction of federal agents, the source proceeded to engaged in a series of communications with Zumba during which they discussed Zumba’s plan to obtain unauthorized ID cards in exchange for cash.

    After driving from New York, Zumba arrived in Jacksonville on February 13, 2025, with three individuals, including a Chinese national. Zumba brought these individuals to NAS Jacksonville where the source’s spouse let them into the personnel office after business hours and initiated the process for two of them to receive ID cards. The following day, Zumba met with the source, who gave him two cards in exchange for $3,500. Zumba was promptly arrested, and the cards were recovered. 

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

    This case was investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David Mesrobian and Michael J. Coolican. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Business Partner Brothers Sentenced to Federal Prison for their Roles in $2.8M COVID Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, S.C. — Three brothers have been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud. Two brothers, William Chan, 40, and Siu Chan, 32, both of Georgia, pleaded guilty to a wire fraud conspiracy. The third brother, Ka Ho Chan, 33, who also resides in Georgia, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. The brothers, along with other family members, operate a string of restaurants in the Charleston area.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that beginning in March 2020, the Chan brothers applied for Paycheck Protect Program (PPP) and Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) funds using false representations and fraudulent documentation. 

    The evidence presented for William and Siu Chan revealed that at least 22 PPP and EIDL loans were applied for and received totaling more than $2.5 million. The investigation further revealed that a handful of the loans applied for by William and Siu were legitimate applications but the funds we not used for legitimate business purposes once funded. For example, the Government uncovered evidence that the brothers used PPP and EIDL loan funds to make personal car purchases and pay personal credit card expenses.

    Ka Ha Chan pleaded to a separate information charging him with wire fraud for an EIDL loan and grant he received. Moreover, in Ka Ha Chan’s plea agreement, he agreed to a restitution figure between $300,000 to $350,000 based on his receipt of fraudulent loan proceeds applied for by his brothers during their conspiracy. The evidence revealed that all the funds received by Ka Ho, though his own wire fraud scheme, and the funds he received from his brothers were not used for legitimate business purposes and were used for personal expenses, such as vehicle purchases and personal credit cards.

    “These defendants exploited a program intended to help struggling businesses during a critical time. Their greed led them to defraud the government and taxpayers, diverting millions of dollars intended for legitimate economic relief,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “This sentencing sends a clear message: those who attempt to profit from pandemic aid through fraud will be held accountable.”

    “We will not tolerate those who exploit programs designed to support small businesses, and these defendants are now facing the consequences for their actions,” said Steve Jensen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia field office.  “The FBI remains committed to identifying, investigating, and holding accountable those who attempt undermine our financial institutions for personal gain.”

    United States District Richard M. Gergel sentenced William Chan to 24 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Siu Chan was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. Ka Ho Chan was sentenced to 12 months and one day imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. 

    There is no parole in the federal system. The total amount of fraudulent loans and misuse of EIDL and PPP loan funds presented to the court during sentencing exceeded $2.8 million. In advance of sentencing, efforts had been made by the brothers to pay restitution. As a result, the outstanding restitution owed in the amount of $1,268,386.50 was ordered. 

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and Small Business Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Access to Places of Worship

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a statement of interest in federal court in California to promote the correct and uniform interpretation of federal law protecting access to places of religious worship. The case involves allegations that a violent mob used violence, intimidation, and threats to prevent congregants from accessing the Adas Torah Synagogue. The statement of interest is part of the Department’s nationwide efforts to promote freedom of religious worship and combat antisemitism in all of its forms.

    “Every person should be free to worship and attend religious services without fear of violence, threats, or intimidation,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Mac Warner. “The Civil Rights Division is working vigorously to combat antisemitism using all of the tools at our disposal.”

    As part of that effort, the Department of Justice recently announced the formation of a multi-agency task force coordinated by the Civil Rights Division to combat antisemitism, which is visiting 10 university campuses that have experienced antisemitic events.

    In this case, private plaintiffs sued CodePink Women for Peace, CodePink Action Fund, WESPAC Foundation, Honor the Earth, Courtney Lenna Schirf, Remo Ibrahim, doing business as Palestinian Youth Movement, and various unnamed individuals. They allege that these organizations and individuals violated provisions of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) that protect access to places of religious worship. The United States’ Statement of Interest addresses physical obstructions of places of religious worship.

    “Members of our Jewish community should not have to think about their safety when they go to worship,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally for the Central District of California. “We make clear today that federal law prohibits people from obstructing access to places of worship.”

    To learn more about the Civil Rights Division visit www.justice.gov/crt, and to report possible violations of federal civil rights laws go to www.civilrights.justice.gov or call toll-free at 800-253-3931.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Access to Places of Worship

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a statement of interest in federal court in California to promote the correct and uniform interpretation of federal law protecting access to places of religious worship. The case involves allegations that a violent mob used violence, intimidation, and threats to prevent congregants from accessing the Adas Torah Synagogue. The statement of interest is part of the Department’s nationwide efforts to promote freedom of religious worship and combat antisemitism in all of its forms.

    “Every person should be free to worship and attend religious services without fear of violence, threats, or intimidation,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Mac Warner. “The Civil Rights Division is working vigorously to combat antisemitism using all of the tools at our disposal.”

    As part of that effort, the Department of Justice recently announced the formation of a multi-agency task force coordinated by the Civil Rights Division to combat antisemitism, which is visiting 10 university campuses that have experienced antisemitic events.

    In this case, private plaintiffs sued CodePink Women for Peace, CodePink Action Fund, WESPAC Foundation, Honor the Earth, Courtney Lenna Schirf, Remo Ibrahim, doing business as Palestinian Youth Movement, and various unnamed individuals. They allege that these organizations and individuals violated provisions of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) that protect access to places of religious worship. The United States’ Statement of Interest addresses physical obstructions of places of religious worship.

    “Members of our Jewish community should not have to think about their safety when they go to worship,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally for the Central District of California. “We make clear today that federal law prohibits people from obstructing access to places of worship.”

    To learn more about the Civil Rights Division visit www.justice.gov/crt, and to report possible violations of federal civil rights laws go to www.civilrights.justice.gov or call toll-free at 800-253-3931.

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