NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Profile: A Woman’s Mission to Advance Nuclear Information Management

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Dibuleng Mohlakwana speaking at the ‘Innovative Technologies for Nuclear Information Management’ side event during the 68th IAEA General Conference in September 2024. (Photo: IAEA)

    The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.   

    Technology is increasingly shaping how we share and retrieve information, and demand for information continues to grow. As a result, information science stands at the forefront of innovation and knowledge sharing.

    “Information is key to driving performance in organizations, just like financial and human resources. Every decision relies on available data and information,” said Dibuleng Mohlakwana, Head of the IAEA Nuclear Information Section. “My mission at the IAEA is to help people make informed decisions and navigate the vast amount of information available today.”

    With nearly 30 years of experience in information, knowledge and records management, Mohlakwana oversees the collection and management of nuclear information accessible to the IAEA and the public. Her role also involves introducing innovative tools and techniques to help the IAEA continuously improve how it shares, organizes and makes information accessible.

    Born in Limpopo Province, South Africa, Mohlakwana grew up in a family of educators and agriculturalists. From a young age, her family instilled in her the value of hard work, resilience and education, as well as the independence to carve her own path. This gave her a strong foundation for pursuing her ambitions.

    “Information science chose me,” Mohlakwana said. “At 17, I was drawn to information science while studying at the University of Limpopo. I realized effective information management is crucial for organizational success, motivating me to ensure that the right information reaches the right people at the right time.” She went on to earn a master’s degree in information and knowledge management and a PhD in information science.

    Mohlakwana began her career as a librarian and credits her network and mentors for shaping her along the way.  Prior to joining the IAEA, she was Director of the eResearch Knowledge Centre in South Africa where she was responsible for research support, library and information services, and the accessibility of research outputs and data via an open access repository.

    As her career progressed, Mohlakwana was motivated by the desire to help address international challenges, particularly energy solutions.

    “As I witnessed the growing energy challenges in South Africa, from aging infrastructure to heavy reliance on coal, and the country’s need for solutions like nuclear power expansion, I realized that both the challenges and the solutions were not just local—but global,” said Mohlakwana. “Joining the IAEA was a chance to be part of something larger, to contribute to the global effort in shaping a more sustainable energy future for all.”

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  • MIL-OSI Security: 91st Missile Wing ushers in a new era of MMIII transporters

    Source: United States Strategic Command

    MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  –  

    MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – For the past 37 years the Transporter Erector (TE) has been a fundamental piece of equipment for operational readiness of the Minuteman III (MMIII) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system. These vital pieces of equipment are responsible for transporting MMIII across vast distances, utilizing public roads to reach strategic locations, and ensuring precise emplacement or removal at launch facilities. Due to maintenance requirements becoming harder to meet with the older model, these units will be replaced with newer, modernized equipment. The 91st Missile Wing is the last unit using the old TE systems, as the Roughriders are regularly relied upon to sunset programs being modernized.

    “The retirement of these ‘legacy’ TE’s marks the end of a proud and extraordinary 37 years of service and life across thousands of personnel,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ethan Bowman, missile handling section team chief assigned to the 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron.

     The retirement of the old TE systems also ushers in an opportunity to transition to more efficient and modernized equipment to support the MMIII weapon system more effectively. The TE’s being retired were made to the highest standard when they were designed in the late 1980s. The systems have served nearly four decades, reliably facilitating transportation, erection, and removal operations at critical ICBM launch facilities across the country.

    “Milestones such as this demonstrate the commitment of the 91st Missile Wing Roughrider men and women to strategic deterrence,” said U.S. Col. Jimmy Schlabach, commander of the 91st Missile Wing. “Proud Airmen have operated the legacy TE systems, serving the most powerful weapon system in the world, the Minuteman III, admirably for decades.”

    The decision to phase out the Legacy TE units is not just a practical choice but a strategic necessity. Replacing these aging units with modernized transporters ensures the MMIII can remain a credible component of the United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy. New units will incorporate advancements in materials, engineering, and technology to enhance reliability and reduce maintenance burdens. This modernization will enable smoother operations and better support for hoisting, transportation, and emplacement activities at operational wings and storage facilities.

    “These replacements ensure that the 91st Missile Wing will continue to provide always-ready lethal combat capability, without rest, to enable strategic deterrence so critical to our national defense for decades to come,” said Schlabach. “President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.’ The Roughriders have used the TE systems to carry the nation’s biggest stick, and will use the new units to continue that legacy.”

    The retirement of the Legacy TEs is a moment of reflection, honoring the remarkable engineering and unwavering commitment of the individuals who kept these systems operational for over three decades. Their contributions ensured the continuous support of one of the nation’s most critical defense assets, allowing the MMIII to remain a cornerstone of deterrence strategy.

    As the Legacy TEs make way for their modern replacements, the Air Force is embracing the opportunity to improve mission effectiveness and long-term sustainability. This transition represents not only the end of an era, but also the beginning of a more robust and capable logistics infrastructure to support the MMIII weapon system until its eventual retirement. By investing in modernization, the United States ensures its strategic forces remain ready and reliable, reinforcing the principles of deterrence for decades to come.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force’s safe, effective deterrent

    Source: United States Strategic Command

    BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  –  

    A joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a single telemetered joint test assembly re-entry vehicle Feb. 19 at 1 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.

    The Western Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as the primary testing ground for the Air Force Global Strike Command’s ICBM deterrent architecture. This test launch is part of routine and periodic activities designed to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, reliable, and effective in deterring 21st-century threats and reassuring our allies. With over 300 similar tests conducted in the past, this particular test is part of the Nation’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a credible deterrent and is not a response to current world events.

    “Today’s Minuteman III test launch is just one of the ways the Department of the Air Force demonstrates the readiness, precision, and professionalism of U.S. nuclear forces,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Gary Ashworth. “It also provides confidence in the lethality and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrence mission.”

    AFGSC Commander Gen. Thomas Bussiere added, “The nuclear triad is the cornerstone of the national security of our country and allies around the globe.”

    “This test launch is demonstrative of our nation’s ICBM readiness and reliability,” he said. “Because of the skill sets and expertise of our maintenance personnel and our missile crews, our freedoms and the homeland remain secure.”

    Vandenberg’s 377th Test and Evaluation Group, located at Vandenberg SFB, oversaw the test launch. It is the nation’s only dedicated ICBM test organization professionally executing tests that accurately measure the current and future capability of the ICBM force.

    “During this test, we collected and analyzed performance and other key data points to evaluate current missile system competencies,” said Col. Dustin Harmon, 377th TEG commander. “This allows our team to analyze and report accuracy and reliability for the current system while validating projected missile system improvements. The data we collect and analyze is crucial for maintaining Minuteman III while we pave the way for Sentinel.”

    The ICBM’s reentry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site located within Republic of the Marshall Islands at the Kwajalein Atoll. Reagan Test Site sensors, including high-fidelity metric and signature radars, as well as optical sensors and telemetry, support the research, development, test and evaluation of America’s defense and space programs. For these tests, RTS team members collect radar, optical and telemetry data in the terminal phase of flight to evaluate system performance.

    “The Reagan Test Site serves as the supporting range for all Glory Trip missions,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Casey Rumfelt, RTS range director. “It’s a vital national asset used to support operational and developmental tests of our nation’s offensive and defensive systems. RTS provides a unique suite of instrumentation and an ideal geographic location to meet many of the U.S. testing needs that cannot be accomplished anywhere else in the world.”

    The test launch is a culmination of months of preparation that involve multiple government partners.

    Airmen from all three missile wings were selected for the task force to support the test launch, while maintainers from the 90th Missile Wing Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Force Base, Wyoming, supported maintenance requirements. The missile bases within Air Fore Global Strike Command have crew members standing alert 24 hours a day, year-round, overseeing the nation’s ICBM alert forces. 

    The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command, uses data collected from test launches for continuing force development evaluation. The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational capability of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States’ ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.

    The Air Force is committed to ensuring Minuteman III remains a viable deterrent.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: MH-139 completes first IOT&E flight, advancing nuclear security operations

    Source: United States Strategic Command

    F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo.  –  

    The 582nd Helicopter Group achieved a major milestone in its modernization efforts as the MH-139 Grey Wolf completed its first Initial Operational Test and Evaluation flight in support of nuclear security operations on January 28, 2025.

    The flight, conducted by the 550th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, tested the aircraft’s ability to support intercontinental ballistic missile convoy operations, a crucial mission for securing the nation’s strategic deterrence forces.

    “This marks a significant step forward in ensuring the MH-139 is ready for full operational capability,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Lincoln, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center IOT&E test director. “This was the first of 37 planned flight events, and our objective was to integrate the MH-139 into convoy security operations while testing communication networks between air and ground forces.”

    The MH-139 Grey Wolf brings enhanced speed, payload capacity and endurance, far surpassing the UH-1N Huey, which has been in service since the Vietnam era. As Twentieth Air Force transitions to the MH-139, the increased capabilities will streamline nuclear security operations and improve response times for Tactical Response Force teams.

    “The MH-139 Grey Wolf fundamentally changes how we support nuclear security,” said Col. Philip Bryant, 582nd HG commander. “It can carry twice as many security forces, fly 1.5 times as fast and has a considerably longer loiter time than the UH-1N, which greatly strengthens our mission to protect the missile fields.”

    During this first test event, the aircraft flew alongside a 341st Missile Wing convoy, validating mission effectiveness and operational suitability. The aircrew assessed the MH-139’s ability to insert and extract tactical response teams while maintaining seamless communication with ground forces.

    IOT&E is scheduled to continue through June 2025.  The 550 HS will be performing tests at all three Missile Wings and at multiple ranges to fully analyze the MH-139’s performance for all its operational missions.

    “Our Airmen are adapting quickly to this new platform,” said Bryant. “The MH-139 provides a game-changing advantage for our nuclear security forces, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition from the UH-1N to the MH-139 Grey Wolf.”

    As testing progresses, 20 AF remains focused on delivering a modernized, effective nuclear security force, ensuring the protection of America’s ICBM fleet against evolving threats.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guardians of the North, 28th Maintenance Group mobilizes entire B-1 Fleet

    Source: United States Strategic Command

    ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D.  –  

    Raider maintainers from the 34th & 37th Bomber Generation Squadrons recently mobilized Ellsworth’s entire fleet of B-1B Lancers; while most will temporarily relocate to Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., some made their way to Anderson AFB, Guam for a Bomber Task Force deployment.

    The temporary relocation is necessary to complete a runway construction project tied to the future bed down of the B-21 Raider and as the last B-1 departed January 25, 2025, it marked the first time in 30 years the Ellsworth flightline was empty of Lancers.

    Generating aircraft sorties, especially B-1B Lancer sorties, requires an exceptional team of aircraft maintainers. “The mighty B-1 has been around for over 40 years and the foundational mission remains the same: win today, dominate tomorrow” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Andrew Feigen, 37th Bomber Generation Squadron commander. “From production to the technicians to the lowest level, elevating the lethality of the B-1 maintainer in partnership with Grand Forks will cause pause in our enemies.”

    Before the wheels of a B-1 lift off the ground, maintainers are tasked to ensure aircraft are serviceable, safe and combat ready. They conduct detailed inspections, apply necessary repairs, and log every maintenance action for accountability.

    “It’s a very high paced mission from where I stand. You’re always going from one job to the next. The game plan is always changing, quite literally by the minute on the flight line,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Lane Benefield, 37th Bomber Generation Squadron B-1 crew chief. “This gave [our team] the opportunity to step up into different roles, showing great flexibility from enduring the cold and being away from family and loved ones,”

    B-1 Maintainers work around the clock in all types of weather and conditions. Grand Forks is known for challenging winters, but the Raider maintainer’s work ethic remains, and the team ensures there are always combat-ready B-1s available. The Airmen of Grand Forks are also steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the B-1 mission continues.

    “It’s been a long effort in coordination with our partners here at Grand Forks and our supporting agencies back home,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Mount, 28th Maintenance Squadron commander. “This is a once in a career moment for the B-1 community to relocate our fleet completely. It’s not every day that runway repair is done at wholescale. There’s a pride that follows in knowing all of our teams are succeeding in their mission and continue to present a credible threat to our adversaries through power projection.”

    Whether from North Dakota, South Dakota or from a forward operating base Raider maintainers have the capability and capacity to enable long range strike, anytime, anywhere.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Lab Operator Convicted of $4M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A federal jury in Detroit convicted a California man today for his role in defrauding Medicare of over $4 million in fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary urine drug testing for patients receiving pain management treatment.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sherif Khalil, 50, of Redondo Beach, conspired with others to submit claims to Medicare for the highest-reimbursing urine drug testing panels, which doctors did not want or order.

    Sherif Khalil operated Spectra Clinical Labs, a toxicology lab located in Gardena, California. As the owner of Spectra, Khalil implemented a scheme to pay marketers a percentage of Medicare reimbursements and incentivize them to obtain doctors’ orders for expensive drug testing panels. Khalil concealed Spectra’s payments to marketers by routing the payments through nominally independent marketing companies that Khalil secretly controlled. To maximize Spectra’s profits and their own commission payments, Spectra’s marketers then trained staff members at doctors’ offices to send Spectra orders for medically unnecessary urine drug tests that doctors did not actually want or authorize. Khalil also knew that orders Spectra received from physician practices were not supported by documentation of medical necessity.

    The medically unnecessary laboratory tests ordered in exchange for illegal kickbacks to marketers caused Medicare to pay more than $4 million to the Spectra Clinical Labs.

    Khalil was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks. Khalil is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 7 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud count and five years in prison on the count for conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay, offer, receive, and solicit health care kickbacks. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.

    The FBI Detroit Field Office and HHS-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys S. Babu Kaza, Jeffrey A. Crapko, and Kelly Warner and Assistant Chief Shankar Ramamurthy of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to Life in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

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

                WASHINGTON – Victor Armando Simms, 54, a previously convicted sex offender who most recently lived in Southeast Washington D.C., was sentenced today to life in federal prison in connection with his sexual abuse of multiple young girls, recording many of the incidents, and amassing a library of 3,300 still images and over 250 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

                The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., FBI Special Agent in Chief Sean Ryan of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.

                Simms, aka “Stacey Patrick Simms,” pleaded guilty on May 20, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan to first degree child sexual abuse with aggravating circumstances, two counts of aggravated sexual abuse with children, three counts of sexual exploitation of children, and possession of child pornography.

               According to court documents, law enforcement was called on January 15, 2023, when a young girl discovered explicit images of child sexual abuse depicting herself on an iPad belonging to Simms. The same day, Simms was formally placed under arrest and charged by complaint with one count of first-degree child sexual abuse in D.C. Superior Court.

                On January 17, 2023, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force executed a search warrant at Simms’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices including an iPad and a one-terabyte external hard drive. In addition, law enforcement agents seized numerous pills and pill bottles, which were believed to be used to sedate the young victims. Many of the videos produced by Simms showed the young victims asleep during the sexual assaults.

                The forensic examination of the external hard drive revealed 3300 still images and 250 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, many of which included metadata indicating the date, time, and location where the file was initially produced. The metadata indicated that the minor female victims were sexually exploited and abused by Simms in Washington D.C., and at hotels in Maryland and Virginia. The investigation into this matter also revealed that Simms has engaged in acts of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of minors since approximately 1997.

                According to court documents, Simms is a previously adjudicated sex offender. He was convicted in North Carolina in 2005 of indecent liberties with a six-year-old child and a felony child sex act.

                According to court documents, Simms used drugs to incapacitate some of the children, but not all, to make it easier to abuse them and to ensure they had no memory of his criminal conduct. He recorded the sexual abuse of these children, including anally and vaginally penetrating them, to ensure he had souvenirs of his crimes to carry with him. He raped and abused at least ten young victims.

                This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. The task force is composed of FBI agents and detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department, along with other federal agents and detectives from northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. The task force is charged with investigating and bringing federal charges against individuals engaged in the exploitation of children and those engaged in human trafficking. 

                This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Bond, Sarah Folse, and Caroline Burrell. The prosecution team received valuable assistance from Victim-Witness Advocate Yvonne Bryant and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Macechko, as well as former Paralegal Specialist Alexis Spencer-Anderson. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to 10 Plus Years in Federal Prison for Robbery Committed While on Supervised Release

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

    A serial bank robber who robbed three banks while on supervised release for a prior bank robbery conviction was sentenced Thursday to more than 10 years in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham. 

    Taurick Demon Walker, 43, was charged via criminal complaint in August 2023 and indicted the following month. He pleaded guilty in October 2024 to bank robbery and was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 105 months for the bank robbery plus 24 months for violating the conditions of his supervised release – which prohibited committing any felonies – for a total of 129 months in federal prison. 

    According to court records, Mr. Walker was convicted of bank robbery in March 2018 and sentenced to six years in federal prison. He served his time and was released in March 2023. 

    Just five months after his release, on Aug. 10, 2023, Mr. Walker entered a Regions Bank in Irving, passed a teller a note, and demanded “all your money now.”  The teller handed over a wad of cash and Mr. Walker fled the scene. 

    Eight days later, on Aug. 18, Mr. Walker robbed two other banks: a Truist Bank in Dallas and a Wells Fargo in Garland. On both occasions, he approached a teller and pressed a note against the glass that read “Bank Robbery 20,000.”

    Investigators were able to link Mr. Walker to both robberies using a network of FLOCK license plate readers.

    In an interview with law enforcement, a family member told police she recognized a cowboy hat worn during one of the robberies as Mr. Walker’s. 

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Dallas, Garland, and Irving Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Withers prosecuted the case..

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dallas Man Sentenced to 13 Plus Years in Multimillion-Dollar Insurance Fraud

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

    The architect of a nearly $5 million insurance fraud was sentenced today to more than 13 years in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham. 

    Jordan Ford, 32, was charged via criminal complaint in June 2024 and pleaded guilty in September 2024 to a criminal information charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He was sentenced Thursday to 157 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who also ordered him to pay $4,471,338.92 in restitution to the defrauded insurance companies. 

    According to court documents, Mr. Ford and his coconspirators recruited insurance company employees to pull clients’ personal information from legitimate insurance claims. The employees handed those details over to Mr Ford. 

    Using the stolen information, Mr. Ford – posing as the client – called the insurance companies and requested they update the payment information to accounts he and his coconspirators controlled. 

    Other times, Mr. Ford paid insurance employees to lend him their company-issued laptops, logged onto the companies’ systems, and authorized and issued payments, which were sent to accounts he and his coconspirators controlled. 

    In total, the coconspirators misdirected funds from at least three insurance companies, netting more than $4.4 million. 

    All nine defendants charged in the scheme have pleaded guilty, including Mr. Ford’s lieutenant, Humberto Corona; Jaquan Hall and Elexis McLain, who recruited insurance employees and received and distributed fraudulent proceeds; and insurance employees Timothy Starling, Desiree Thomas, Daja Webb, and Sesedrick Wedlow, who were compensated for handing over stolen client information and allowing Mr. Ford to access company systems.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Texas Department of Insurance conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weybrecht is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Owner of School Equipment Company Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Fort Worth ISD

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

    The owner of a company that distributed school swag pleaded guilty  to defrauding the Fort Worth Independent School District, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.

    Virenkumar Patel, the 33-year-old owner of VR Group Promotions, was indicted in January. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to three counts of wire fraud.

    According to court documents, Mr. Patel admits that in the spring of 2021, the principal of a Fort Worth ISD high school told Mr. Patel she needed to purchase planners, notepads, and flash drives for the school. Knowing that the district required principals to obtain three quotes before agreeing to purchase such items, Mr. Patel fabricated to quotes from competitors, along with a quote from VR Group Promotions, which quoted the lowest price. Mr. Patel hand-delivered the quotes to the principal, who selected VR Group’s $18,287 quote.

    In the winter of 2022, the principal of another Fort Worth ISD high school told Mr. Patel he needed to purchase flash drives. Mr. Patel again fabricated two competitor quotes, along with a quote from VR Group Promotions, which quoted the lowest price. The principal selected VR Group’s $5,250 quote.

    In spring 2023, the principal of the first high school again contacted Mr. Patel, and told him that she needed to purchase headphones, wireless charges, and power banks for the school. Once again, Mr. Patel fabricated competitor quotes, and once again, the principal selected VR Group Promotion’s $9,245 bid.

    Mr. Patel now faces up to 30 years in federal prison per count. His sentencing hearing has been set for June 6, 2025.   

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is prosecuting the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran National Sentenced For Firearm Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOAN E. ESCOBAR-REYES (“ESCOBAR-REYES”), age 26, a native of Honduras, was sentenced on February 20, 2025 by United States District Judge Susie Morgan. Judge Morgan sentenced ESCOBAR-REYES to thirty months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and the payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(5)(A).

    According to court documents, on or about June 30, 2024, ESCOBAR-REYES, an alien illegally present in the United States, was found in possession of a Glock Model 32, .357 SIG caliber, semi-automatic pistol and a H&R Model 92, .22 LR caliber revolver.

    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.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations-New Orleans, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations and the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pascagoula Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Distribution of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Gulfport, MS – A Pascagoula man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for distribution of images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

    According to court documents, Tyrone Lewis, 20, had sexual contact with a 14-year-old in Jackson County, Mississippi, and recorded some of the sexual acts on a cell phone. Further investigation, including an analysis of the victim’s cell phone, revealed that Lewis sent the victim videos of himself and the victim engaging in sexual activity.  The cell phone also contained a text message which confirmed Lewis knew the victim was a minor.

    In July 2024, Lewis pled guilty to distribution of images of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement.

    The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Smith prosecuted the case.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Inmate Imprisoned for Punching and Injuring Deputy U.S. Marshal

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

    HOUSTON – A 43-year-old man with ties to the Humble area has been sentenced for the assault of federal officer resulting in bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    A federal jury deliberated for approximately two hours before convicting Cedric Tyrone Walker Aug. 20, 2024, following a two-day trial.

    U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks has now ordered Walker to serve 97 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court considered the nature and extent of the injuries which caused permanent disfigurement. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that the federal law enforcement officer just showed up for work and then landed in the hospital as a result of Walker’s violent behavior.

    “The Southern District of Texas (SDTX) has zero tolerance for violence against law enforcement,” said Ganjei. “They are heroes who put themselves in harm’s way every day. Today’s sentence demonstrates how SDTX will always have their backs.”

    On Dec. 27, 2022, authorities learned that on two occasions Walker failed to return in a timely manner to the residential reentry center (RRC), also referred to as a halfway house, where he was serving a federal prison sentence for armed bank robbery.

    Law enforcement told the RRC Walker needed to be transported back to a federal detention center. However, Walker was reluctant to comply with instructions from authorities and struck a deputy U.S. marshal (DUSM) in the mouth with a closed fist.

    A struggle ensued on the ground, and authorities restrained Walker after two taser deployments. Law enforcement then took Walker to a federal detention center and he refused medical attention.

    The injured DUSM arrived at the emergency room where he received treatment for a laceration on his lip which required 12 stitches. As a result of the assault, he also sustained two chipped teeth.

    At the time of the trial, the defense attempted to convince the jury Walker did not cause the injury. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Wirsing prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 6th Marines Support Joint Task Force Southern Guard

    Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

    NAVAL STATION GUANTÁNAMO BAY, CUBA  –  

    To increase safety and security, the Marines have set up tents, conducted combined Illegal alien reception and processing rehearsals with interservice and interagency partners, and continually trained on non-lethal defense methods.

    Additionally, Marines of 6th Marine Regiment have been tasked and trained to support dining facility operations, assisting NSGB personnel with feeding members of JTF-SG and other logistical challenges identified as more servicemembers are deployed to support IAHO at the base.

    “The Marines and Sailors of Task Force Belleau Wood, over the past week, have been the ‘fire brigade’ for Joint Task Force – Southern Guard. We have worked to establish illegal alien holding areas, non-lethal techniques, crowd dispersion tactics, and perimeter security operations.” said U.S. Marine Col. Neil Berry, the Commanding Officer of 6th Regiment. “The Marines and Sailors of the ‘Follow Me!’ Division, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, remain ready to receive illegal aliens; fulfilling our assigned mission and leaving our communities back home safer.”

    6th Marines and 1/6 will continue to support JTF-SG with any future tasking.

    “We’re Marines, the answer is yes,” said Berry. “What’s the question?”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 821st Contingency Response Element boosts airfield capacity for Operation Southern Guard

    Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

    NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba  –  

    When the success of a mission hinges on the seamless flow of supplies and personnel, the Contingency Response Element (CRE) becomes the linchpin of logistical operations.

    For Operation Southern Guard, the CRE from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., has proven indispensable in transforming airfield capabilities to support Joint Task Force Southern Guard’s (JTF-SG) critical mission of expanding illegal alien holding operations.

    “The backbone of logistics is distribution. Being surrounded by water became a constraint for sustainment, but the CRE, with their assets and determination, came through to bridge that gap by improving the airfield capabilities to enhance the flow of cargo in and out of the island,” said Army Sergeant Maj. Johanny Ortega, the JTF-SG J4 sergeant major.

    Since initiating operations on Feb. 2, the CRE has facilitated the delivery of over 400 tons of essential cargo, including construction equipment, materiel handling equipment, power generation equipment, fuel and food.

    These supplies are pivotal for the rapid establishment and enhancement of facilities necessary for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) ongoing migrant operations.

    Leading the charge on the ground is Air Force Lt. Col. Adam McDade, commander of the 821st Contingency Response Squadron, better known as “Hellhounds.”

    “We specialize in establishing and augmenting airfield operations in diverse environments, from austere dirt landing strips to fully operational international airports,” McDade explained. “Here at Guantanamo Bay, while an established airfield exists, it wasn’t equipped to handle the volume of aircraft necessary to support the deployment of forces.”

    The CRE’s deployment has significantly increased the airfield’s capacity, expanding operations from accommodating a single aircraft at a time to managing up to three aircraft simultaneously, operating around the clock.

    “We’re currently averaging between three to five aircraft per day, and we anticipate this number will rise as more forces are deployed,” McDade noted.

    The rapid deployment of the CRE showcases their readiness and precision.

    “I received about 24 hours’ notice before deploying my initial assessment team of 11 personnel,” said McDade. “Following our assessment, the rest of our team began arriving within 48 hours. Our unit maintains a constant state of alert for missions like this, so we were well-prepared to mobilize quickly.”

    The CRE’s contributions are a vital component of JTF-SG’s broader mission, which includes providing security, logistical coordination, intelligence support, and facility management for DHS-led operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.

    “Without the CRE’s expertise and rapid deployment capabilities, our operational tempo and efficiency would be significantly hindered,” Ortega concluded, emphasizing the indispensable role of the CRE in the success of Operation Southern Guard.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS St. Louis (LCS 19) Completes Maiden Deployment to Fourth Fleet

    Source: United States SOUTHERN COMMAND

    MAYPORT, FLORIDA  –  

    USS St. Louis (LCS 19), a Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), returned to Naval Station Mayport this week, concluding its maiden deployment to the U.S. Fourth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

    The eight-month deployment, which lasted from June 15, 2024 to February 24, 2025, marked a series of groundbreaking achievements that underscore the capabilities of the LCS platform and its growing contributions to naval operations.

    While assigned to TASK FORCE 45/Destroyer Squadron 40, operating primarily in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, St. Louis, embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 Detachment 4, and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) 105 and 407, disrupted and confiscated over $100 million worth of illicit contraband in five different operations, significantly hampering the activities of transnational criminal organizations.

    “From our first week in theater, the crew demonstrated its tactical acumen in locating and intercepting illicit traffickers. Most of these interdictions were conducted at night, requiring long days and late hours but the crew stayed immensely resilient. I am very proud of what the team accomplished,” said Cmdr. T.J. Orth, USS St. Louis’ Commanding Officer.

    In August, St. Louis transited the Panama Canal and operated in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, making history as the first FRE-variant LCS to travel as far south as Valparaíso, Chile when she participated in the 65th iteration of UNITAS, the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. Alongside naval forces from 44 countries, the ship showcased its capabilities in maritime interoperability, enhancing ties with partner nations and furthering regional stability.

    After returning through the Panama Canal, St. Louis received new tasking to support U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Task Force-Bravo as that command responded to the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. St. Louis served as a fueling station and Search and Rescue force for 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment (AVN REGT) UH-60 Blackhawks conducting evacuations out of Haiti. To prepare, St. Louis and 1-228th AVN REGT conducted more than 50 deck landings. This successful integration expanded the ship’s operational versatility, paved the way for future joint missions, and underscored the potential for cross-branch collaboration in dynamic environments.

    To wrap up USS St. Louis’ maiden deployment, St. Louis Sailors showed their flexibility and capacity to rapidly deploy in support of Joint Task Force Operation Southern Guard onboard U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Sailors supported the expansion of the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) in preparing the MOC to receive up to 2,000 illegal aliens, erecting 50 tents and setting up several hundred cots in several days. Operation Southern Guard is highlighting effective interagency collaboration, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees the operation.

    “We saw a lot of ‘firsts’ on this ship’s first deployment and it was amazing to see what this ship and crew was capable of. Looking back, this deployment demonstrated the growing potential for Freedom class LCS and the support they can provide not just in the Caribbean, but in the entire Fourth Fleet AOR,” said Cmdr. Lee Shewmake, USS St. Louis’ executive officer. “There were many lessons learned that the crew took to heart and put in practice as deployment went on, and I believe that is what enabled our success over the past seven months.”

    “St. Louis demonstrated the great potential of the LCS Freedom class, not only in executing its assigned missions but also in breaking new ground for the community. The professionalism and dedication of this crew have laid a strong foundation for the future of LCS operations,” said Master Chief Roderick Bolton, St. Louis’ Command Master Chief. “USS St. Louis returns home with its crew proud of their achievements and eager to share lessons learned from this historic deployment. As the U.S. Navy continues to evolve, St. Louis has proven itself a capable and innovative platform, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

    USS St. Louis’ maiden deployment to Fourth Fleet was a resounding success, marked by numerous milestones and contributions to naval strategy. The ship’s accomplishments highlight the flexibility and utility of the Littoral Combat Ship platform in tackling modern challenges.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Stephenville — RCMP MCU West continues investigation into injured snowmobiler in Port au Port, seeks public’s assistance

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP NL’s Major Crime Unit (MCU) West is continuing to investigate an incident that occurred on Friday afternoon in Port au Port that left a snowmobiler with serious injuries. Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify anyone who may have been traveling through the area when the incident occurred.

    At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Bay St. George RCMP responded to the report of an injured snowmobiler on Gravel’s Pond in Port au Port. The operator of the snowmobile fell from the machine after it came to a stop and sustained serious injuries that do not appear to be consistent with the fall from the snowmobile. The cause of the injury sustained remains under investigation by RCMP MCU West.

    Today, police are asking for the public’s assistance, looking to speak with anyone who travelled along the isthmus, an area commonly known as the gravels, in Port au Port between the hours of 3:57 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. on Friday February 21, 2025. Motorists are asked to check for possible dash cam surveillance during that time and to provide the surveillance footage to police.

    The investigation is continuing. Anyone having information about the incident is asked to contact MCU West by calling Bay St. George RCMP at 709-643-2118.

    Background:

    https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2025/rcmp-major-crime-unit-investigates-serious-incident-port-au-port-seeks-publics-assistance

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS St. Louis (LCS 19) Completes Maiden Deployment to Fourth Fleet

    Source: United States Navy

    The eight-month deployment, which lasted from June 15, 2024 to February 24, 2025, marked a series of groundbreaking achievements that underscore the capabilities of the LCS platform and its growing contributions to naval operations.

    While assigned to TASK FORCE 45/Destroyer Squadron 40, operating primarily in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, St. Louis, embarked Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 50 Detachment 4, and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) 105 and 407, disrupted and confiscated over $100 million worth of illicit contraband in five different operations, significantly hampering the activities of transnational criminal organizations.

    “From our first week in theater, the crew demonstrated its tactical acumen in locating and intercepting illicit traffickers. Most of these interdictions were conducted at night, requiring long days and late hours but the crew stayed immensely resilient. I am very proud of what the team accomplished,” said Cmdr. T.J. Orth, USS St. Louis’ Commanding Officer.

    In August, St. Louis transited the Panama Canal and operated in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, making history as the first FRE-variant LCS to travel as far south as Valparaíso, Chile when she participated in the 65th iteration of UNITAS, the world’s longest-running multinational maritime exercise. Alongside naval forces from 44 countries, the ship showcased its capabilities in maritime interoperability, enhancing ties with partner nations and furthering regional stability.

    After returning through the Panama Canal, St. Louis received new tasking to support U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Task Force-Bravo as that command responded to the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. St. Louis served as a fueling station and Search and Rescue force for 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment (AVN REGT) UH-60 Blackhawks conducting evacuations out of Haiti. To prepare, St. Louis and 1-228th AVN REGT conducted more than 50 deck landings. This successful integration expanded the ship’s operational versatility, paved the way for future joint missions, and underscored the potential for cross-branch collaboration in dynamic environments.

    To wrap up USS St. Louis’ maiden deployment, St. Louis Sailors showed their flexibility and capacity to rapidly deploy in support of Joint Task Force Operation Southern Guard onboard U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Sailors supported the expansion of the Maritime Operations Center (MOC) in preparing the MOC to receive up to 2,000 illegal aliens, erecting 50 tents and setting up several hundred cots in several days. Operation Southern Guard is highlighting effective interagency collaboration, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees the operation.

    “We saw a lot of ‘firsts’ on this ship’s first deployment and it was amazing to see what this ship and crew was capable of. Looking back, this deployment demonstrated the growing potential for Freedom class LCS and the support they can provide not just in the Caribbean, but in the entire Fourth Fleet AOR,” said Cmdr. Lee Shewmake, USS St. Louis’ executive officer. “There were many lessons learned that the crew took to heart and put in practice as deployment went on, and I believe that is what enabled our success over the past seven months.”

    “St. Louis demonstrated the great potential of the LCS Freedom class, not only in executing its assigned missions but also in breaking new ground for the community. The professionalism and dedication of this crew have laid a strong foundation for the future of LCS operations,” said Master Chief Roderick Bolton, St. Louis’ Command Master Chief. “USS St. Louis returns home with its crew proud of their achievements and eager to share lessons learned from this historic deployment. As the U.S. Navy continues to evolve, St. Louis has proven itself a capable and innovative platform, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

    USS St. Louis’ maiden deployment to Fourth Fleet was a resounding success, marked by numerous milestones and contributions to naval strategy. The ship’s accomplishments highlight the flexibility and utility of the Littoral Combat Ship platform in tackling modern challenges.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USCENTCOM Hosts Component Commanders Conference at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    February 25, 2025
    Release Number 20250225-01
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    TAMPA, Fla. – On February 22-23, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) hosted the CENTCOM Component Commanders’ Conference at al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

    Commanders, leaders and staff from CENTCOM component and subordinate commands (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Special Operations, Space, Cyber, and Combined Joint Task Force-operation Inherent Resolve) gathered in theater for the quarterly conference and discussed the current state of operations and security in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, the operational environment, opportunities to strengthen security cooperation, efforts to counter violent extremist organizations (VEOs), such as ISIS and Iranian-backed Houthis, and the current strategic opportunities in the region.

    While in Qatar, Gen. Kurilla also met with Qatar’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Jassim Al Mannai, and Qatar’s Air Force and Air Defense Commanders. The leaders discussed strengthening the U.S.-Qatar military-to-military partnership and continued opportunities to increase interoperability.

    Gen. Kurilla and Lt. Gen. Al Mannai reiterated their commitment to enhancing the important military-to-military relationship between the U.S. and Qatar, which dates back more than five decades.

    -30-

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Single Day Border Apprehensions Hit 15-Year Low Under President Trump

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    “Under President Donald Trump, the days of open borders are over.”- Secretary Noem

    WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary Noem announced on Saturday, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered only 200 aliens at the U.S. Southern border. That is the lowest number of apprehensions in a single day in over 15 years.

    These record low numbers come days after Secretary Noem launched a multimillion dollar nationwide and international ad campaign warning illegal aliens to stay out.

    View Original “Warning – International” video

    A statement from a senior DHS spokesperson is below:

    “President Trump and Secretary Noem have sent a clear message to illegal aliens: do not come to our country. You will not be allowed in. And if you get in, we will hunt you down and deport you.

    That message has been received. This weekend, we saw the single lowest apprehensions at the southern border in more than 15 years. This is yet another sign the President Trump’s commonsense immigration and border security policies are working.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher W. Grady’s Phone Call with France’s Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Thierry Burkhard

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

    February 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

    Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher W. Grady spoke with France’s Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Thierry Burkhard yesterday by phone.

    Adm. Grady and Gen. Burkhard shared perspectives on the latest developments in Syria, as well as the Gaza and Lebanon ceasefire agreements. Additionally, the military leaders discussed ongoing deliberations regarding Ukraine.

    The long-standing military alliance between the U.S. and France is essential to peace and stability around the world.

    For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
    Connect with the Joint Staff on social media: 
    Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube,
    LinkedIn and Flickr.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Extradited to Georgia to Face Federal Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Omar Cuenca-Marino, 41, of Guerrero, Mexico, has been arraigned before Chief United States Magistrate Judge Russell G. Vineyard on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and unlawful import of, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin into the United States, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  Cuenca-Marino, who was the alleged leader of the Los Rojos Mexican Drug Cartel, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 21, 2016.  

    “Robust law enforcement partnerships, tenacious investigators, and a resilient determination to eliminate cartels that import deadly drugs into our communities culminated in the charges and recent extradition of this alleged drug cartel leader,” said Acting United States Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. “This prosecution sends a strong message to the cartels and their leadership, no matter where they reside: you will face justice.”

    “The arrest and extradition of Omar Cuenca-Marino, the alleged Los Rojos cartel leader, marks a significant success for the ongoing U.S. efforts to dismantle drug trafficking cartels and secure our borders,” said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta, which covers Georgia and Alabama. “As part of our commitment to combating the opioid crisis and transnational crime, we are leveraging every available resource to disrupt cross border criminal operations. This case sends a clear message that we, alongside our law enforcement partners, will not tolerate those who seek to profit from the distribution of dangerous narcotics.”

    “The success of this investigation demonstrates DEA will use all of its resources to destroy drug distribution networks that are endangering our communities,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.

    “Drug cartels have caused the death of many people in the United States and Mexico through violence and the distribution of illegal drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “Once identified by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents investigate these cartels finances and their involvement with narcotics to help bring them down.”

    According to Acting U.S. Attorney Moultrie, the charges, and other information presented in court: An investigation by law enforcement authorities identified a drug cartel based in Mexico that, between approximately 2013 and 2016, was responsible for importing large, distribution quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine from Mexico into the United States.  The investigation identified Cuenca-Marino as the alleged Mexico-based leader of the cartel who oversaw the preparation of thousands of kilograms of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin in Mexico and arranged to have the drugs smuggled into the United States, using buses and tractor-trailers.  In addition, Cuenca-Marino allegedly directed the collection of millions of dollars of drug proceeds for transport from the United States back to Mexico.

    For instance:

    • On October 11, 2013, a law enforcement operation in Vinings and Hiram, Georgia led to the seizure of approximately 75 kilograms of methamphetamine, 23 kilograms of heroin, and 47 kilograms of cocaine.  Cuenca-Marino allegedly directed the smuggling of these drugs into the United States for distribution in the Atlanta-metro area.
    • On November 20, 2015, law enforcement seized 76 packages of cocaine from a vehicle in a parking lot in Duluth, Georgia.  The investigation revealed that Cuenca-Marino had relayed the phone number of the Atlanta-based trafficker who was about to take possession of the drugs.
    • On February 9, 2016, law enforcement stopped a vehicle traveling on Interstate 44 in Phelps County, Missouri and found $425,900 in drug proceeds.  The driver, who was enroute to Mexico, allegedly contacted Cuenca-Marino the following day to report that the vehicle had been in an “accident.”

    Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges.  The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    The investigation and prosecution of this case is led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Cobb County Police Department, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Marietta Police Department, Powder Springs Police Department, Henry County Police Department, Clayton County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, DeKalb County Police Department, Alabama Drug Task Force, Newnan Police Department, Conyers Police Department, Gwinnett County Judicial Task Force, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Georgia State Patrol.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herskowitz is prosecuting the case.  Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Hartigan and Michael J. Brown, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and Office of Enforcement Operations, provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Also, the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs coordinated with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition Cuenca-Marino.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to eliminate the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.

    The specific mission of the David G. Wilhelm Atlanta OCDETF Strike Force (Atlanta Strike Force) is to eliminate transnational organized crime syndicates and major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the Northern District of Georgia. To accomplish this mission, the Atlanta Strike Force will target these organizations’ leaders, focusing on targets designated as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets, Regional Priority Organization Targets, and their associates.  The Atlanta Strike Force is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, DEA, FBI, HSI, USMS, USPIS, and IRS, as well as numerous state and local agencies; and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Woman Pleads Guilty in $250 Million Feeding Our Future Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis woman has pleaded guilty for her role in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, Najmo M. Ahmed, 35, helped her husband Said Ereg run a small storefront grocery store in Minneapolis called Evergreen Grocery and Deli. In April 2020, Ereg enrolled Evergreen Grocery and Deli in the Federal Child Nutrition Program as a food distribution site under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Under the direction of her husband, Ahmed signed falsified meal count sheets, including one dated December 31, 2020, claiming Evergreen Grocery and Deli served 3,250 children – twice a day – during the week of January 24, 2021. Between April 2020 and April 2021, Evergreen Grocery and Deli claimed to have served over 1.4 million meals to children.

    According to court documents, Evergreen Grocery and Deli received over $4.2 million in payments from Feeding Our Future based on fraudulent claims. Ereg transferred funds from Evergreen’s business accounts into personal accounts in his name and Ahmed’s name, and Ahmed knew that the large sums of money her husband deposited into her account were proceeds from illegal activity. Ahmed transferred at least $1,147,348 in funding from her personal bank accounts to foreign textile and trading companies such as Shaoxing Aifan Textile Co. She also used the money to fund her lavish lifestyle and made purchases from Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Canada Goose. Ltd. In total, Ahmed laundered $1,381,048 in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds through her personal bank accounts.

    Ahmed pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

    The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Joseph H. Thompson, Matthew S. Ebert, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher W. Grady’s Meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al Ruwaili

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Public Affairs

    February 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

    Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher W. Grady met with Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff Gen. Fayyadh Al Ruwaili yesterday at the Pentagon.

    Adm. Grady and Gen. Al Ruwaili discussed the continued Houthi threat in the Middle East, the latest developments with the transition in Syria, the current progress with the ceasefire agreements in Lebanon and Gaza, and opportunities for further defense cooperation.  Additionally, Adm. Grady reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the security of Saudi Arabia.

    The U.S. and Saudi Arabia share a longstanding partnership and are committed to peace and security in the Middle East region.

    For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
    Connect with the Joint Staff on social media: 
    Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube,
    LinkedIn and Flickr.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: FRCE team saves millions for Marine Corps

    Source: United States Navy

    A small team of skilled technicians working at the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) detachment at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, is making a big difference for the Marine Corps in terms of cost savings and flight line readiness.

    FRCE’s Beyond Capable Maintenance Interdiction (BCMI) team at Beaufort provides dedicated service to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA-224), Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 312 (VMFA-312) and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 (MALS-31), supporting the F/A-18 C/D Hornet platform and assisting with component repairs the squadrons are neither resourced nor staffed to complete. Comprising three artisans, the Beaufort detachment’s BCMI team is a small program that adds up to huge savings: In 2024 alone, the team supported a cost avoidance for MALS-31 totaling more than $59 million. 

    “The BCMI team does a phenomenal job, and the cost savings they support give you an idea of what they’re capable of,” said Bryan Holland, FRCE’s F-18 branch manager at Beaufort. “They’re working radar components and circuit cards and pneudraulics – there are some high-cost items they’re repairing, and they’re able to save them and put them back into service. I don’t think we saw any part last year that they weren’t able to fix.”

    Having the BCMI team on-site saves the Marines both time and money because it prevents the squadrons from having to turn in the nonfunctional components and procure new ones through the supply chain. The process helps speed replacement of specific components needed by the fighter squadron – which performs maintenance at the organizational level, or O-level – that cannot get replaced or repaired through the MALS, which provides maintenance at the intermediate level, or I-level. FRCE’s Beaufort detachment, including the BCMI team, performs maintenance at the depot level, or D-level – the most advanced level in the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program structure. 

    “Flight line availability of aircraft is the priority, and if it weren’t for our BCMI team working with the MALS, those parts would have to leave Beaufort and go into depot maintenance at either our FRC East location at Cherry Point, another Fleet Readiness Center location in Florida or California, or even back to the original equipment manufacturer,” Holland explained. “If our guys weren’t there, the squadron might have to wait two-three weeks or longer to get the parts they need, if there’s not one available on the shelf – we can usually do the job much faster.”

    Ted Light, the FRCE site supervisor, agreed that the BCMI process saves valuable maintenance turnaround time.

    “Think about it: The component is in your hands, and if it’s able to be repaired, that’s generally going to be a lot faster than the Marines having to go out and order a new one,” Light added. “If a complete rework of the component isn’t necessary, but maybe just one or two parts in it require repair that is beyond the capability of the I-level Marines, it just makes sense to give it to our BCMI team. They can usually turn around and give it back to the Marines within a day or two, depending on what needs to be fixed.”

    The BCMI team works hand-in-hand with Marines, even sharing some spaces with the MALS-31. In addition to supporting faster turnaround, this close proximity allows BCMI team to share their advanced knowledge of components repair with the Marines, Light said.

    “Our BCMI team can teach the Marines what to look for in order to identify an issue with a component, or show them what we do to correct that issue,” he said. “It can give the Marines a higher-level understanding of the inner workings of these components, and what needs to be done to fix them. The team is not training the Marines to perform work the Marines aren’t qualified for, of course, but knowledge is power – always has been.”

    Being essentially collocated with the squadrons also allows the BCMI team – along with all of FRCE’s Beaufort workforce – to see exactly where their end products go. This reinforces the sense of responsibility and determination to get a quality product out the door and back in the hands of the fighter squadron, Holland noted.

    “Our number one priority is to make sure the squadrons have the aircraft they need to go out and train their pilots,” he said. “We have a sense of urgency to get the components and airplanes back up and running for the warfighter, so they can do their job.

    “I’ll say it 100 times: Readiness of the warfighter is always the priority. At the big depots, most people see the product come in, they do their work on it, and then see it go right back out the door, with a general sense that they’re supporting our nation’s warfighters,” Holland continued. “At Beaufort, it’s different because we can see who that warfighter is. We see the Marines who pilot and crew the aircraft we’re working on, every day.”

    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 Beaufort detachment employs 32 workers in support of maintenance for the F/A-18 C-D Hornet, an all-weather, twin-engine, multi-mission tactical aircraft. 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: Webster Woman Charged with Defrauding Medicaid

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

    ROCHESTER, N.Y. –Acting U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti announced today that Ashley Jackson, 36, of Webster, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with health care fraud. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Jackson was the sole owner of Roc City Transport in Webster. Between February 2018, and November 2022, Jackson and others submitted fraudulent claims for payment to Medicaid, seeking reimbursement for non-emergency transportation they allegedly provided in connection with their transportation services. Jackson submitted reimbursement claims for Medicaid transportation trips that were not actually performed, individual rides were billed as group rides, and kickbacks were paid to recipients to drive themselves to an appointment rather than Roc City. Most of the Medicaid beneficiaries using Roc City were being transported to methadone clinics in Rochester, NY, up to six days a week. Roc City is accused of fraudulently billing Medicaid for approximately $40,123.29.

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

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced for Assaulting Border Patrol Agents at El Paso Processing Center

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EL PASO, Texas – A Mexican national was sentenced in a federal court in El Paso to 46 months in prison for three counts of assault on a federal officer.

    According to court documents, Carlos Ernesto Guerrero-Gutierrez was being detained in a pod of 20 individuals at an El Paso processing center in November 2023. Guerrero-Gutierrez became disruptive and was placed in a separate isolation pod where he dismantled the pod’s frame, removing a wooden board with nails on it. When U.S. Border Patrol agents responded, Guerrero-Gutierrez bit one agent on the leg and injured two others using the board with nails. One of the agents was hit in the head, causing him to bleed above the temple and another agent bled from his hand after being stabbed in the thumb with a nail. Guerrero-Gutierrez was ultimately subdued after two taser deployment attempts, cuffed and restrained. He pleaded guilty to three counts of assault on a federal officer May 6, 2024.

    “Our Border Patrol partners place their lives on the line daily in defense of the United States and the integrity of our border,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “We take these violations seriously and will vigorously prosecute violent individuals who assault those who work tirelessly to protect us and our communities.”

    “This conviction serves as a clear message—any individual who attempts to harm a federal officer will face swift and decisive action. These assaults will not be tolerated. Those who engage in such violence will be held fully accountable under the law,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar. “We are grateful for the unwavering support from our law enforcement partners and the justice system in ensuring that those who threaten the safety of our agents face the consequences of their actions.”

    “The El Paso FBI stands firmly with our U.S. Border Patrol partners as well as with all law enforcement officers who work tirelessly, day in and day out, to protect our borders and our communities,” said El Paso FBI Special Agent in Charge John Morales. “Any assault on these dedicated, brave men and women will not be tolerated and will be swiftly investigated. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers they face in their mission to keep our nation safe, and this sentencing reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting and partnering with law enforcement at all levels to uphold public safety.”

    The FBI and USBP investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Stanley Serwatka prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Fresno Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for a Series of Vehicle Pipe-Bombings

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Paul New, 57, of Fresno, was sentenced today to three years in prison for conspiracy to destroy property and malicious destruction by means of an explosive device, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, between November 2022 and February 2023, New committed a series of pipe-bombings on unoccupied vehicles and property in Fresno. The bombings damaged vehicles belonging to two auto-related businesses on Clinton Avenue. On Feb. 19, 2023, a bomb heavily damaged a vehicle used by a home health care business on Fallbrook Avenue.

    On October 9, 2024, co-defendant Scott Eric Anderson was sentenced to three years in prison.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael G. Tierney prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Europol engages with European lawmakers at the 16th JPSG meeting in Warsaw

    Source: Europol

    With serious and organised crime posing an increasing threat to communities across Europe, discussions focused on the Agency’s operational impact, strategic direction and future role in tackling criminal networks.The meeting comes ahead of the EU Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU SOCTA) 2025, scheduled for publication on 18 March. This report will outline the most pressing security threats facing…

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  • MIL-OSI Security: MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Coast Guard, Port of Virginia Maritime Incident Response Team to host search and rescue forum in Hampton, Va.

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    02/25/2025 08:58 AM EST

    Media is invited to attend the 19th annual Steven Todd Dooley Search and Rescue Forum to watch a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration.

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

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