NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: “Dirtyman” sentenced and deemed repeat and dangerous offender against minors

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 46-year-old man has been sentenced for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Brian Edward May, Rohnert Park, California, pleaded guilty Nov. 14, 2024.

    U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered May to serve 136 months in federal prison. The court enhanced the sentence after determining May was a repeat and dangerous offender against minors. The court also heard that May continued to engage in predatory sexual conduct against children after he was released on bond from state custody. May will serve 15 years on supervised release following completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. He will also be ordered to register as a sex offender.

    “In today’s online world, predators can gain near-instantaneous virtual access to children,” said Ganjei. “The Southern District of Texas office is working hand in glove with our federal and state law enforcement partners to identify and pursue these predators before they can victimize innocent children.”

    “Children must be protected from sexual exploitation, and we remain committed to investigating the coercion and enticement of a minor,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Today’s sentence means this defendant is no longer free to prey upon the most vulnerable among us. HSI will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who seek to victimize children.”

    On April 19, 2023, May operated an online account under the name of “dirtyman” and contacted whom he believed to be a 14-year-old child. May made arrangements to meet the child to engage in illegal sexual activity at a park in McAllen.

    He had been in McAllen working as a contractor at the time of the crime.

    During a subsequent review of May’s electronic devices, authorities found numerous messages that indicated May had attempted to pay adults to access children to engage in illegal sexual activity. They also recovered files containing child sexual abuse material.

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

    Homeland Security Investigations and McAllen Police Department conducted the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources link on that page.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former NYC Fraud Investigator Sentenced to Prison for Stealing Homeless Victims’ Identities to Apply for Unemployment Benefits

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NYC Fraud Investigator Stole Victim Information from Department of Homeless Services Database and Conspired to Fraudulently Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in Victims’ Names

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, defendant Olabanji Otufale, a former New York City Department of Homeless Services fraud investigator, was sentenced by United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto to 27 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.  Otufale and co-conspirator Marc Lazarre pleaded guilty in July 2024. 

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jocelyn Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) announced the sentence.

    “The defendant abused his position of trust as a fraud investigator to access and steal vulnerable homeless victims’ personal identifying information for his personal benefit,” stated United States Attorney John J. Durham.  “Otufale betrayed the public trust and conspired to use his access for illicit financial gain.  Today’s sentence should serve as a lesson to this defendant and all public employees that exploiting positions of power for personal financial gain will be punished.”

    “Olabanji Otufale exploited his position within the Department of Homeless Services to steal the identities of homeless individuals and furtively reaped their allocated social services benefits. These abhorrent actions violate the trust and expected privacy placed in local agencies responsible for storing sensitive information. The FBI will never tolerate public service employees who prey upon our city’s vulnerable populations for fiscal profits,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.

    DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “The defendant, a City fraud investigator with the Department of Homeless Services, had a duty to protect DHS and the vulnerable New Yorkers it serves from fraud.  Instead, he used his access and position to steal personal information of applicants for social services, in a scheme to illegally obtain unemployment benefits. The sentence imposed today makes clear that we and our law enforcement partners will hold accountable those who misuse their City positions for personal profit.  I thank the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI for their continued partnership in the effort to protect critical public funds.”

    In the fall of 2020, Otufale conspired with others to steal the personal identifying information of more than ten homeless individuals and use that stolen information to fraudulently apply for unemployment insurance benefits in the names of those homeless individuals without their knowledge or consent.

    At the time of the scheme, Otufale was a fraud investigator with the New York City Department of Homeless Services (the Department).  In that role, Otufale was responsible for ensuring individuals who applied for homeless services—such as housing in homeless shelters—were qualified to receive services from the Department.

    Otufale, however, used his access to a database maintained by the Department to commit fraud himself, stealing the personal identifying information—names, social security numbers, dates of birth—of vulnerable victims who had given that personal information to the Department when they applied for services.  Otufale then texted this victim information to a co-conspirator, Marc Lazarre, who applied online for unemployment benefits in the names of the homeless victims. Otufale and Lazarre conspired to split the fraudulent benefits they received.  Lazarre is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4, 2025.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sara K. Winik, Laura Zuckerwise and Katherine P. Onyshko are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Nadya Osman.

    The Defendants:

    Olabanji Otufale
    Age: 41
    Brooklyn, NY

    Marc Lazarre
    Age: 39
    Secaucus, NJ

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-170 (KAM)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Counterfeiting cash group disrupted: 12 arrests

    Source: Eurojust

    During an action day on 2 February, actions took place simultaneously in North Macedonia and Serbia. Authorities searched multiple locations and found machines used to make moulds and stamps for counterfeit money, hot rollers, presses, a counterfeit banknote detector and holograms. Over 180 000 counterfeit euro banknotes were seized during searches in Serbia, and over 500 000 in North Macedonia.

    Authorities also seized cash in different currencies, phones and laptops. Evidence collected during the searches will be further analysed to serve the ongoing investigations. Twelve members of the forgers group were arrested in North Macedonia and Serbia.

    The JIT between North Macedonian and Serbian authorities is supported by Eurojust through the Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project. This project strengthens cooperation within the Western Balkans and between the region and the European Union, using modern tools and methods to combat organised crime and terrorism. The JIT allowed the authorities to work together efficiently and effective, exchanging information in real time. The Western Balkans Criminal Justice Project purchased equipment for the North Macedonian and Serbian authorities, which was instrumental in executing the operation.

    Europol played a key role in the operation, supporting law enforcement with expertise on counterfeit banknotes, analytical and financial assistance, and coordination of operational activities. Europol’s analysis identified the country where the counterfeit banknotes were distributed. On the action day, Europol deployed staff to North Macedonia and Serbia to provide technical support and cross-check operational data against Europol’s databases and the European Central Bank’s systems.

    The following authorities carried out the operations:

    North Macedonia: Basic Public Prosecution Office for Prosecuting Organized Crime and Corruption; Investigative Centre from the Prosecution Office and Ministry of Interior

    Serbia: Public Prosecutor’s Office for organized crime, Service for combating organized Crime, Department for combating counterfeiting of money

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Omaha Man Sentenced for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl Analogue

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jaden Stuart, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced January 29, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl analogue. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Stuart to 36 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Stuart is released from prison, he will begin a 2-year term of supervised release.

    On November 24, 2023, Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 80. The vehicle stopped was being driven by co-defendant, Kyle Bahnsen and the passenger was Jaden Stuart. During the traffic stop, NSP conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located approximately 59 small blue pills marked with M-30 that were fentanyl pills, 13.3 grams of a white substance that tested positive for fentanyl, and 1.4 grams of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. The narcotics were meant for distribution.

    Bahnsen was sentenced on September 19, 2024, to 12 months and 1 day, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Overdose Task Force.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug Dealer Receives 168 Months After Selling Fentanyl to Law Enforcement Over a Dozen Times

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Dre’Shaun Burns, age 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr.  sentenced Burns to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Burns’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.

    Between April 2020 through June 2022, Burns sold fentanyl analogue to confidential informants over a dozen times.  On June 16, 2022, the investigation came to a head when law enforcement executed a search warrant of Burns’s mom’s residence in Omaha.  During the search, law enforcement recovered 371 grams of fentanyl analogue near two firearms.  Burns’s DNA was on this bag of drugs as well as the two firearms.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Shelburne — Shelburne RCMP charges man after seizing firearms

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Shelburne RCMP Detachment has charged a Westphal man with multiple offences after executing a search warrant at a residence and seizing multiple firearms.

    On January 17, Shelburne RCMP responded to a report of an assault with a weapon, and learned that a man had assaulted an individual at a Shelburne home and left before police arrived. Subsequent attempts to locate and arrest the man were unsuccessful.

    On February 3, at approximately 4:30 p.m., RCMP officers learned that the man was at a residence on Parr St., and established containment of the home. Investigators evacuated surrounding residences and the Nova Scotia RCMP’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) attended the location.

    At approximately 9 p.m., ERT, supported by the RCMP’s Crisis Negotiation Team and Police Dog Services, safely arrested 28-year-old Liam Colin Cockerill.

    The Parr St. home was secured and officers executed a search warrant; they seized two firearms and a variety of ammunition.

    Cockerill has been remanded into custody and, at this time, faces 21 charges, including:

    • Assault
    • Assault with a Weapon
    • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Careless Storage of a Firearm (three counts)
    • Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
    • Possession of a Loaded Firearm
    • Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited
    • Failure to Comply with Undertaking

    The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Shelburne RCMP at 902-875-2490. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Soldier Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Child on Joint Base Lewis-McChord

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

    Defendant previously investigated in the Army and prosecuted in State Court for sexual assault crimes

    Tacoma – A former U.S. Army soldier was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 87 months in prison for abusive sexual contact with a child, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Cameron James Taylor, 49, of Seattle, pleaded guilty in May 2024 and has been in custody since his guilty plea.  At today’s sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo noted the conduct in this case may cause the victim lifetime torment. The victim “is a strong individual” and “shows courage to move on” Chief Judge Estudillo said.

    “This horrific conduct cannot go unpunished. Our work to protect children on our military bases is a priority in the Western District of Washington,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Mr. Taylor sexually assaulted a child who was just 5 years old. He then pressured the child to hide the conduct when questioned by other adults. I commend the strength of the victim in this case.”

    According to records filed in the case, Taylor left the Army in 2016 with an “Other than Honorable” discharge after he was investigated for sexual assault of an unconscious female in Germany, and for assaulting soldiers who went to arrest him. Taylor resigned in lieu of Court Martial.

    Once back in the U.S., Taylor was convicted of the 2019 sexual assault of a 5-year-old neighbor child. Taylor forced the child to massage him and reach into his pants. In 2022, Taylor was sentenced in King County Superior Court to 18 months in prison.

    During the investigation related to the neighbor child, other children who had been in Taylor’s care were interviewed. Taylor had coached a child, who was now a teen about hiding his sexual assaults. Ultimately, the child disclosed to a relative that in 2012, while stationed on JBLM, Taylor locked the then 5- or 6-year-old in a closet and sexually assaulted the child.

    On the eve of trial, Taylor pleaded guilty.

    In asking for the 8-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “Taylor’s crimes reveal a man who lacks empathy and who prioritized his own pleasure over others’ pain. Taylor is also no stranger to the justice system; this is his third criminal sex offense. The government hopes that a 96-month sentence, coupled with lifetime supervised release, will prevent Taylor from reoffending again.”

    Taylor is required to register as a sex offender following his prison term. Chief Judge Estudillo ordered that he be on supervised release for ten years following prison.

    The case was investigated by U.S. Army Criminal Investigations (CID), the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hillary K. Stuart and Erika J. Evans.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jefferson Parish Man Sentenced for Federal Gun and Drug Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that JAZZ GILDS (“GILDS”), age 39, a resident of Jefferson Parish, was sentenced on January 30, 2025, by United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter, after previously pleading guilty to Counts 1 and 3 of a 3-count indictment.  Count 1 charged him with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  Count 3 charged him with being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).

    GILDS was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment as to Counts 1 and 3 of the indictment, to run concurrently.  Judge Vitter also ordered GILDS be placed on supervised release for 3 years and pay a $200 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to court documents, GILDS became involved in a physical altercation with two individuals at a Jefferson Parish hotel before fleeing in a stolen vehicle.  Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies later apprehended GILDS, who had attempted to flee on foot.  A search of the vehicle uncovered a Ruger Model P942 .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a stolen Anderson Manufacturing Model AM-15, 5.56×45 millimeter caliber semi-automatic rifle.  Additionally, during a search of GILDS’s hotel room, deputies seized illegal narcotics and ammunition.

    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.

    U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indy Man Sentenced to 3 Years Probation for Manufacturing and Mailing 30,000 Fake IDs

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— James Watt, 26, of Indianapolis, has been sentenced to 3 years of probation after pleading guilty to unlawful production of document or authentication feature and money laundering.

    According to court documents, between March 13, 2019, and February 16, 2023, James Watt worked for a public website that allowed customers to purchase fake driver’s licenses, paid for mostly by Bitcoin. The website’s tag line boasted “Your #1 Trusted Source for Fake IDs.”

    Over the course of four years, Watt manufactured more than 30,000 fraudulent driver’s licenses and other forms of false identification. Customers would upload photos of themselves and an address to which to send the new I.D. Watt then mailed the false identifications via U.S. Postal Service collection boxes throughout Indianapolis, usually late at night to avoid detection.

    In exchange for this work, Watt was paid more than 14 Bitcoin. As of January 16, 2025, 14 bitcoin was worth more than $1.3 million.

    Although many of the fake IDs were purchased by underage college students, many IDs were purchased by adults far older than 21, implying their use for another nefarious purpose. Identification is needed to board a plane, buy cough medicine, rent a car, open a bank account, apply for government assistance, pick-up a prescription, visit a casino, and purchase a firearm. Through Watt’s help, his customers were able to get fake identifications for all these purposes.

    “Watt nearly became a millionaire simply through the manufacturing and mailing of thousands of fake IDs, essentially running a one-man BMV,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “While Watt was not the operator of the website, he had a far more critical role, utilizing equipment and skill to manufacture quality fake identifications and brazenly violate the law thousands of times over. I commend the IRS-CI and USPIS for their thorough investigative work leading to today’s outcome.”

    “I am proud of our inspectors who work so diligently to protect the mail from being utilized to further illicit activities,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Felicia George. “Thanks to our collaborative investigative efforts with IRS-CI, we were able to identify and take down part of a large-scale operation, while also seizing the proceeds of it from our area of responsibility. I would like to thank the inspectors, agents, and AUSA Eakman for their hard work on this case.”

    The U.S. Postal Investigation Service and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James P. Hanlon.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman, who prosecuted this case.

    ###

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Morgantown Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years After Traveling to Mexico to Purchase Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Scott David Bixler, 43, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was sentenced to the statutory maximum sentence of 120 months imprisonment for failing to update his sex offender registration.  Bixler will serve a lifetime of supervision following his prison sentence.

    Bixler is a convicted sex offender and is required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act (SORNA) for life.  As part of his registration obligations, he is required to report any international travel. In July of 2023, Bixler fled to Mexico shortly before he was scheduled to appear in state court for sentencing related to criminal convictions for failure to register as a sex offender under West Virginia law.

    When Bixler and his spouse were arrested in Mexico, they possessed two pellet guns, methamphetamine, a cell phone jammer, and a large amount of cash.  The investigation also revealed that the Bixlers were attempting to purchase a young girl while in Mexico.  Fortunately, Mexican authorities thwarted the plan and arrested the couple.

    “The sentence handed down by the Court ensures that the Defendant will be confined in prison for the maximum time allowed by law,” said Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Bernard.  “I shudder to think what might have happened but for the dedication of AUSA Perri, the federal and state law enforcement agencies, as well as the Mexican authorities.  Our community and children are safer because of their efforts and the sentence imposed.”

    Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.  The FBI, the U.S. Marshals Services, and the West Virginia State Police investigated this 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 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 Justice.gov/PSC.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects More Than $26 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    New Haven – Acting U.S. Attorney Marc H. Silverman today announced that the District of Connecticut collected $26,212,307 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024.  Of this amount, approximately $14,110,085 was collected in criminal actions and approximately $12,102,222 was collected in civil actions.

    The Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $20,069 in cases pursued jointly by these offices.

    “In the last fiscal year, our dedicated attorneys and staff have helped to recover more than $26 million,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Silverman.  “These funds are returned directly to crime victims, used to support victim services, and bolster federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts.  Through our criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions, we remain steadfast in our commitment to seeking justice, removing illicit profits from wrongdoers, and safeguarding the integrity of crucial government programs.”

    Significant criminal recoveries included more than a $1 million in restitution from multiple defendants involved in a bid rigging scheme related to insulation contracts, and the satisfaction of a restitution obligation from a Connecticut business owner who was required to pay more than $2 million in back taxes, interest, and penalties to the IRS.  Large civil recoveries included approximately $4.5 million from a network of healthcare companies who are alleged to have submitted false claims to Medicare and Connecticut Medicaid for telehealth psychological care services, and more than $1 million from the operators of Connecticut dental practices who are alleged to have paid patient recruiters to steer Connecticut Medicaid patients to their practice, in violation of federal and state laws.

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

    Additionally, the Connecticut U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $5,525,420 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024.  Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut and representing the federal government in civil litigation.  The Office is composed of approximately 68 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 57 staff members at offices in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cincinnati men plead guilty to stealing mail, postal keys as part of armed robberies

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CINCINNATI – Two local men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to stealing USPS arrow keys during armed robberies of postal carriers.

    Antonio Toombs, 21, and Lorenzo Brandon, 22, participated in two separate armed robberies on the same day.

    Toombs and Brandon each pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing mail or property of the United States Postal Service, a crime punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

    According to their plea agreements, on Oct. 21, 2023, Toombs, Brandon and a juvenile participated in the assaults and armed robberies of two postal carriers. At approximately 12:40pm, they assaulted the first victim near Hanna Avenue in Cincinnati and stole the postal carrier’s arrow key. Later that day, around 3:40pm, they did the same against a second victim near Harry Lee Lane in Cincinnati.

    Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing of the defendants is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors and will be imposed at future hearings.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the guilty pleas entered before U.S. District Court Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney’s Office Underscores Enforcement of Executive Order on Immigration

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, through United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, issues the following statement to underscore support for the January 20, 2025, Executive Order, entitled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.”

    Department of Justice agencies in Puerto Rico, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Bureau of Prisons, underscore their support and partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and all its components in Puerto Rico to enforce our nation’s immigration laws.

    The Justice Department and DHS will also continue to collaborate and work closely with our counterparts within the Government of Puerto Rico, to include the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and other governmental agencies, as well as municipal police departments to protect our communities from harm.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office’s implementation of the Executive Order will focus on the apprehension and prosecution of criminal aliens, as well as supporting the prosecution and/or expedited removal from the United States of aliens without legal status. The apprehension and prosecution or removal of aliens includes special interest aliens deemed by the DHS to be from a country that poses a national security or counterintelligence threat.

    “Those aliens who are involved in criminal activity, who are fugitives from justice, who have prior criminal convictions and/or come from nations that pose a threat to our national security, remain a priority for the Department of Justice,” said United States Attorney Muldrow. “We are also fully committed to supporting the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security, and all its components, to make Puerto Rico and the United States safer.”

    “The FBI remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law and ensure public safety,” said Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Through this initiative, continued collaboration and intelligence-driven operations, we are supporting efforts to protect our communities, while adhering to our mission of upholding the Constitution.”

    “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is dedicated to identifying and prosecuting individuals who are illegally present in the United States, ensuring they are swiftly removed to their home countries,” said Rebecca González-Ramos, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Juan. “The executive order aims to protect the United States from individuals who pose a threat to public safety by committing crimes.”

    “The Drug Enforcement Administration remains resolute in its mission to protect the communities of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from the devastating impact of drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations. These criminal networks not only threaten public safety through the distribution of dangerous narcotics but also exploit immigration vulnerabilities to further their illicit enterprises. Through intelligence-driven investigations, collaborative enforcement operations, and strategic partnerships with our federal, state, and local counterparts, the DEA will aggressively target those who pose a threat to our national security and the well-being of our citizens. Our enforcement efforts will focus on identifying, disrupting, and prosecuting individuals and organizations engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crime. Additionally, we remain committed to supporting the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice in the apprehension and prosecution of criminal aliens involved in drug-related offenses. The DEA Caribbean Division will continue to conduct high-impact operations aimed at preventing narcotics and criminal elements from infiltrating our shores. These enforcement efforts are crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the people of Puerto Rico and the continental United States. The message is clear: those who attempt to use our territory as a gateway for illicit activities will be met with the full force of federal law enforcement,” stated Michael A. Miranda, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Caribbean Division.

    “We stand in unison with our Federal and Puerto Rico partners in this all-hands-on deck to stem the tide of illegal immigration,” said Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Miami Field Division.

    The United States Marshals Service, whose mission includes apprehending federal and state fugitives, will lead an initiative – Operation Homeland – to focus resources and coordinate enforcement operations with DOJ and DHS components on the apprehension of alien fugitives charged with federal and local crimes.

    “Historically, the United States Marshals have played a crucial role in serving our nation by apprehending and removing dangerous fugitives from our communities. In this instance, we have teamed up with our federal law enforcement partners to focus on apprehending non-U.S. citizens who have active criminal warrants. We are confident that these collaborative efforts will lead to safer communities. We encourage all citizens to continue cooperating with our investigations to help locate these fugitives and bring them to justice,” said Wilmer Ocasio-Ibarra, U.S. Marshal District of Puerto Rico.

    As recently announced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), on January 30, 2025, the below-listed individuals entered into Puerto Rican waters without inspection and were detained by the CBP. Earlier that day, Coast Guard had previously boarded the sailing vessel Mistress, but the vessel was allowed to continue its voyage to St. Martin.  Instead of going to St. Martin, the S/V Mistress entered U.S. waters without inspection and anchored off La Parguera, where they were arrested and processed for expedited removal by DHS officials, including the United States Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Specifically, the following eight individuals were encountered on a private boat off the southwest coast of Puerto Rico:

    Name                                    Country of Citizenship

    Erlanbek Narkoziev              Kyrgyzstan

    Jafar Valamatov                    Russia

    Kanal Assylbekov                 Kazakhstan

    Nikita Torshin                       Kazakhstan

    Sanjarjon Sidikov                  Uzbekistan

    Shackhat Uurustamov           Kyrgyzstan

    Odiljon Azimov                     Kyrgyzstan

    Shukrat Akhemodov              Russia

    “Every day CBP Officers are responsible with determining the admissibility of aliens arriving at our ports of entry.  Foreign travelers requesting entry undergo an inspection and determination of admissibility to the United States, and if they are not admissible, they are returned to their point of embarkation,” indicated Roberto Vaquero, Director of the San Juan Office of Field Operations. “Our officers will be vigilant in determining admissibility and will also inspect authorized presence from passengers in domestic flights as they try to reach the Continental US.”

    “The Ramey Sector of the US Border Patrol remains steadfast in protecting our Caribbean borders and deter irregular migration attempts.  U.S. immigration law makes it a crime to enter or attempt to enter without requesting admission at a port of entry designated for that purpose by immigration officials,” stated Reggie Johnson, Acting Chief Patrol Agent. “Migrants should know that they will face full legal consequences of unlawful entry.”

    “Air and Marine Operations agents and assets will support the whole of government effort to enforce immigration laws and protect our borders from emerging threats,” said Christopher Hunter, Director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. “AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond.”

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Stafford Man Indicted for Firearms, Meth Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Stafford, Mo., man who purchased more than 50 firearms has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally trafficking firearms and methamphetamine.

    David Allen Gaunt, 57, was charged in a 16-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, Feb. 4. The indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Gaunt on Jan. 16, 2025.

    The federal indictment alleges that Gaunt participated in a conspiracy to traffic firearms from June 21, 2023, to Jan. 23, 2025. Those firearms, according to the indictment, included a Kalashnikov pistol, a Century Arms pistol, a Tokarev shotgun, a Canik pistol and an HS Produkt pistol. In addition to the conspiracy, Gaunt is charged with one count of trafficking those firearms to a recipient who was legally prohibited from possessing them.

    The federal indictment also charges Gaunt with being an unlawful user of a controlled substance while in possession of 15 different firearms. Gaunt is charged with four counts of making a false statement to a licensed firearms dealer in order to purchase firearms, four counts of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, four counts of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of distributing methamphetamine.

    According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Gaunt has personally purchased more than 50 firearms. On every purchase, the affidavit says, Gaunt marked “No” on the federal form that asked, “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” Eighteen of these firearms have been recovered by law enforcement, from Gaunt and others. Additionally, 11 of the firearms Gaunt purchased have been either sold to or pawned at pawn shops.

    Springfield police officers seized three of those firearms during the execution of two search warrants in separate drug-trafficking investigations in June 2023, and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department seized one of those firearms during enforcement activities in July 2023. All of the firearms were seized from individuals who were legally prohibited from possessing firearms, the affidavit says, and were traced to Gaunt as the original purchaser.

    On Aug. 16, 2023, Springfield police officers stopped Gaunt near S. Glenstone Avenue and E. St. Louis Street. When officers searched his vehicle, they found six firearms. On Nov. 6, 2024, Springfield officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Gaunt. Officers seized a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol from Gaunt’s waistband. A clear plastic bag of methamphetamine was found in the center console of the vehicle.

    The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with $17 Million Medicare Hospice Fraud and Home Health Care Fraud Schemes

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

    A California man pleaded guilty today to health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering in connection with a years-long scheme to defraud Medicare of more than $17 million through sham hospice companies and his home health care company.

    According to court documents, Petros Fichidzhyan, 43, of Granada Hills, engaged in a scheme with others to operate a series of sham hospice companies. Fichidzhyan, along with co-schemers, impersonated the identities of foreign nationals to use as the purported owners of the hospices — including using the identities to open bank accounts and sign property leases — and submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for hospice services that were not medically necessary and not provided. In submitting the false claims, Fichidzhyan and his co-schemers also misappropriated the identifying information of doctors, claiming to Medicare that the doctors had determined hospice services were necessary, when in fact the purported recipients of these hospice services were not terminally ill and had never requested nor received care from the sham hospices. As a result of the scheme, Medicare paid the sham hospices nearly $16 million. Fichidzhyan personally received nearly $7 million of the proceeds from the fraud scheme, including more than $5.3 million in transfers to his personal and business bank accounts, which were laundered through a dozen shell and third-party bank accounts. Fichidzhyan additionally admitted to wrongfully obtaining more than $1 million for his home health care agency through the fraudulent use of a doctor’s name and identifying information in certifying Medicare beneficiaries for home health care, which he attempted to cover up by paying the doctor $11,000.

    Fichidzhyan pleaded guilty to health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 14 and faces a mandatory penalty of two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft charge, a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the health care fraud charge, and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the money laundering charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Today’s guilty plea is the most recent conviction in the Justice Department’s ongoing effort to combat hospice fraud in the greater Los Angeles area. Last year, a doctor was convicted at trial for his role in a scheme to bill Medicare for hospice services patients did not need, and two other defendants were sentenced for their roles in a hospice fraud scheme.  

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Diane N. Vu of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Los Angeles Regional Office made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Eric C. Schmale and Sarah E. Edwards of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting 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: Met officers tackle drug supply in Kingston

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Local and specialist Met officers were involved in raids at six properties early on Wednesday, 5 February as part of an investigation into drug dealing on the Cambridge Road Estate and more widely across Merton.

    Six arrests were made as part of the Met’s Clear, Hold, Build strategy, which is designed to reclaim and rebuild neighbourhoods affected by serious and organised crime, focusing on what matters most to locals.

    Superintendent Josh Laughton, the Met’s neighbourhood policing lead for Kingston, said: “Today’s operation followed months of planning by local officers, who have been listening to people on the Cambridge Road Estate to understand their concerns.

    “We know drug dealing is often linked to other offences such as violent crime and anti-social behaviour. By taking targeted action, we aim to reduce offending across the board.

    “The service we provide to Londoners is at the heart of everything we do. Across the Met, we remain focused on tackling the crimes that matter most to communities to reduce offending and improve neighbourhoods.”

    One of the raids was carried out at a fast-food restaurant in Surbiton Crescent. The other six addresses were residential properties. Officers seized drugs, including heroin and cocaine.

    The three men, one woman and two teenage boys, who were arrested during the operation, remain in custody.

    Clear, Hold, Build involves the Met working with partner agencies and communities to make areas safer, and is proven to drive down crime.

    It focuses on taking out the criminal gangs that make the lives of some Londoners a misery by fuelling violent and organised crime.

    Kingston Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, including community safety, Councillor Sabah Hamed said: “Kingston is one of London’s safest boroughs, and this work reflects our continued commitment to working with the police and our partners to make it even safer for everyone.

    “We are committed to working with the local communities most impacted by crime to address their concerns, improve confidence in reporting issues and safeguard those who are vulnerable.”

    Targeted neighbourhood policing delivered through Clear, Hold, Build has already been proven to have a positive impact on communities across London.

    The framework comprises of three parts: Clear, which sees police pursue gang members; Hold, where police maintain a grip on the area to prevent other criminal groups from taking control; and Build, which works to help the community become less susceptible to the draw of organised crime groups.

    In Northumberland Park and Edmonton, an intensification resulted in 424 arrests and recent data shows violent crime in the area has fallen to its lowest level in three years.

    Improved neighbourhood policing was one of the reasons the Met was removed from special measures in January. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services also praised improvements to call handling, child exploitation, and public protection.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Fresno Man with Prior Fraud Conviction Pleads Guilty to Running a $4.2 Million Fraud Scheme Through His Technology Startup

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Royce Newcomb, 62, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud and money laundering charges today for a long-running fraud scheme where he stole $4.2 million from investors, lenders, and the federal government, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

    According to court documents, from 2017 through 2022, Newcomb owned Strategic Innovations, which was a technology startup company that purported to make smart home and business products meant to stop package theft, prevent weather damage to packages, and make it easier for emergency responders and delivery services to find homes and businesses. Newcomb developed prototypes of his products and received local and national media attention for them. For example, Time Magazine included his eLiT Address Box & Security System, which used mobile networks to pinpoint home and business locations, on its Best Inventions of 2021 list.

    Newcomb made several false representations to his investors to deceive and cheat them out of their money. The false representations included that he had been awarded a grant by the National Science Foundation and that he would use the investors’ money to further develop and bring his products to market. That was not true. Instead, Newcomb used the money to pay for gambling, a Mercedes and Jaguar, and a mansion. He also used the money to pay for refunds to other investors who wanted out, and to pay for new, unrelated projects without the investors’ authorization.

    During this period, Newcomb also received a fraudulent COVID-19 loan for more than $70,000 from the Small Business Administration and fraudulent loans for more than $190,000 from private lenders. He lied about Strategic Innovations having hundreds of thousands and even millions in revenue to get these loans.

    Newcomb was previously convicted federally in 2011 for running a real estate fraud scheme in Sacramento. He was sentenced to more than five years in prison for that offense, and he was on federal supervised release for that offense when he committed the offenses charged in this case.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton and Jeffrey Spivak are prosecuting the case.

    Newcomb is scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2025. Newcomb faces maximum statutory penalties of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the wire fraud charge, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the money laundering charge. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

    This effort is part of a California COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force operation, one of five interagency COVID-19 fraud strike force teams established by the U.S. Department of Justice. The California Strike Force combines law enforcement and prosecutorial resources in the Eastern and Central Districts of California and focuses on large-scale, multistate pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors. The strike forces use prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Sentenced for Federal Drug and Weapons Offenses

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

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA –KENDRICK WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 20, was sentenced on January 27, 2025 by U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey to 90 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, along with a $300 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute tapentadol and possession with intent to distribute tapentadol and marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D); and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

    According to court documents, WILLIAMS advertised the sale of tapentadol and marijuana on social media.  Law enforcement officers executed two search warrants at WILLIAMS’s residence and recovered over 800 tapentadol pills, one pound of marijuana, two Glock handguns, a Glock Model 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and a Glock Model 19x, 9mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, with extended magazines, and over $9,000 in cash.

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

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former SCDC Captain Pleads Guilty to $279,000 Bribery Conspiracy

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

    COLUMBIA, S.C. —Christine Mary Livingston, 47, of Gaston, has pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud conspiracy for her role in a bribery scheme in a South Carolina prison.

    According to evidence presented in court, the investigation revealed that Livingston was a 16-year veteran of the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) at the time of her resignation in November 2021. By virtue of her position as Captain at the Broad River Correctional Institute (BRCI) from 2016 through 2021, she managed security operations at BRCI and was responsible for enforcing contraband policy and law.  SCDC policy and state law prohibited her from accepting bribes or anything of value to influence the exercise of her official responsibilities.

    From July 2018 through November 2021, however, Livingston accepted bribes from a least 45 prisoners and three family members of prisoners in exchange for smuggling contraband into BRCI and in exchange for failing to enforce contraband law and policy. She operated at least 14 peer-to-peer payment accounts on platforms such as Cash App that were established in false names but were linked to her legitimate bank accounts. One of her Cash App accounts received at least $279,000 in bribes, of which more than $225,000 was transferred to her personal bank accounts.  She then used the proceeds for personal enrichment including on shopping, ATM cash withdraws, and the purchase of cryptocurrency.

    At least 173 cell phones were purchased by Livingston on her personal Amazon account during the conspiracy, along with 130 SIM cards and phone accessories, headphones, screen protectors, and phone chargers. At least eight witnesses would have cooperated against Livingston at trial, including family members of prisoners, and records obtained from Facebook and contraband phones recovered by SCDC confirmed the bribery scheme.

    “Livingston used her position and rank for personal, criminal gain which endangered other staff members and those housed at Broad River Correctional Institute,” said U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to work with SCDC to prosecute those who commit crimes within prison walls.”

    “This is one more example of how illegal cellphones ruin lives, including those of correctional officers who get involved in the contraband trade,” SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. “We appreciate the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office investigating and prosecuting this case and holding these criminals accountable for their actions.”

    Jerell Reaves, a co-defendant and prisoner responsible for more than $42,000 in bribes to Livingston, was recently sentenced to 60 months imprisonment by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon, to be followed by three years of supervision by U.S. Probation.

    Livingston faces up to 20 years in federal prison, with the Government agreeing to recommend up to eight years as a part of her plea agreement, to be followed by court ordered supervision, $250,000 in monetary penalties, and forfeiture of assets including up to the full value of the bribes. Livingston is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon on June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

    The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the SCDC Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Michael Shedd are prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Columbus Man Admits Attempted Transfer of Obscene Material to Minor in Undercover Investigation

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

    BILLINGS — A Columbus man accused of attempting to send obscene material to a minor during an undercover investigation admitted to a charge today, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendant, Jacob Curtis Wyckoff, 25, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. Wyckoff faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavan presided. A sentencing date will be set before U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Wyckoff was released pending further proceedings.

    In court documents, the government alleged that in January 2023, law enforcement in the Billings area set up an undercover operation relating to those with a sexual interest in children. The undercover persona was that of a 14-year-old female. The undercover posed on a social media site and on Jan. 26, 2023, Wyckoff reached out on KIK, using the profile name of “Jake Smith.” The undercover made Wyckoff aware in communications that she was “almost 15.” In communications between the two from January 2023 to July 14, 2023, discussions became increasingly sexual in nature. On multiple occasions, Wyckoff expressed a desire to meet the “child” for a sexual encounter. On July 6, 2023, Wyckoff sent the undercover a picture of his allegedly erect penis in his jeans and made sexually suggestive comments.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Laurel Police Department, and Montana Division of Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation.

    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 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 Justice.gov/PSC.

    XXX

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Boy convicted of murdering 15-year-old Deshaun James-Tuitt

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A boy has been convicted of murdering 15-year-old Deshaun James-Tuitt.

    Just before 21:00hrs on Thursday, 4 August 2022, officers encountered the victim in Highbury Fields, Islington. He ran towards them, saying: “Officer, I’ve been stabbed.”

    Despite the efforts of emergency services to save him, Deshaun died in hospital later that night.

    On Wednesday, 5 February, 2025, a jury at the Old Bailey returned a guilty verdict against a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Six other youths who also stood trial were acquitted of murder.

    The court heard how, on the night of the murder, the defendant – then aged 15 – travelled with a group of boys to Highbury Fields on public transport. He wore a face covering, and was armed with a knife. The journey was documented on CCTV footage obtained by investigators.

    On the night he died, Deshaun had been at a birthday celebration at the park with a large group of friends.

    Upon arrival, the defendant was seen robbing people in the park. This resulted in an argument between him and Deshaun, during which he was stabbed.

    Immediately afterwards, the killer fled the scene.

    A murder investigation was launched, led by Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke, of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command. She said: “We conducted extensive CCTV enquiries in a bid to identify the youth who had travelled to Highbury Fields that night. Identifying him was a long and complex task.”

    The killer was arrested on Wednesday, 10 August, 2022. A mobile phone was forensically downloaded, and investigators recovered a chat from 8 August 2022, where he spoke of stabbing ‘Huntz’ – Deshaun’s nickname.

    DCI Yorke added: “The boy denied stabbing Deshaun, but it was clear that he had travelled to Highbury Fields that night, with a covered face, armed and looking for trouble. He knew that, should the need arise, his weapon would be used.

    “This theory was supported by the fact that, just minutes after he arrived at the park, Deshaun had been fatally stabbed.

    “There is no verdict that can give Deshaun back to his family. I sincerely hope that they find some comfort in today’s verdicts – my thoughts are with them.”

    In a statement, Deshaun’s family said: “He [the victim] was my firstborn, and he would have been 18 years old. All my friends that I went to school with have their firstborn children – except me. To the person involved in the stabbing and taking his life: he didn’t deserve to die like that. I had a mental breakdown, and I will never be able to get over this.

    “I want you to know that Deshaun was a son, a brother, a grandson, a great grandson, a nephew and a cousin to so many on both sides of the family, so I want you to realise that he was a valuable member of our family. We won’t forgive or forget.

    “Deshaun, you can now rest in peace. Hopefully, justice will be served. Not only is Deshaun’s life lost, they who have done the crime will serve the time.”

    The killer has been remanded ahead of sentencing on Friday, 25 April, 2025.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Call for Papers: Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    “The resilience of nuclear installations can be viewed as the ability of the installation to quickly return to its original safety state after the occurrence of a potentially damaging event such as an earthquake, hurricane, or aircraft crash,” said Paolo Contri, Head of the IAEA Section of External Events Safety.  

    He added: “Resilience is coupled with the concept of robustness against external hazards, which encompasses the development of engineering solutions in siting, design and operation phases, that can support the response to extreme scenarios, but also to emerging challenges, or unknown threats, as well as planning, response and recovery strategies.” 

    Contributors interested in submitting papers for the conference can find the topics of interest here, which includes areas such as the identification and analysis of external hazards, the consideration of uncertainties in hazard analyses and events resulting from combined hazards; and the impact of external hazards on nuclear installations and radioactive waste disposal facilities as well as the safety features of innovative new reactor designs and their contribution to resilience. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Cleveland Homicide Suspect and Fugitive of the Week Arrested by U.S. Marshals

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Cleveland, OH – Early this morning, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) arrested Anthony Conner, 44.  Conner was wanted by the Cleveland Division of Police for homicide and also wanted by authorities in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri for a shooting as well.

    On December 18, 2023, Conner was involved in a home invasion where he shot the female victim.  The victim’s children were home at the time of the home invasion and Conner was charged with domestic assault, possession of a firearm, and endangering children.  A warrant for Conner’s arrest was issued shortly after the crime in Missouri. 

    On December 28, 2024, Conner is alleged to have committed a homicide in the city of Cleveland.  Cleveland Police were in the area of East 18th St. when they were flagged down regarding a person being shot.  Police were able to locate the victim, who had been shot numerous times, in the area of East 17th St. and Hamilton Ave.  The victim was transported to the hospital where he later died.  A warrant for Conner’s arrest was issued on January 20 of this year.

    Members of the NOVFTF began searching for Conner in the Cleveland area and featured him as the Fugitive of the Week on January 27.  Early this morning Conner was located by the task force in an apartment in the 1400 block of Crestline Ave. in Cleveland.  Although Conner was arrested without incident, a handgun with an extended magazine was recovered at the scene.  

    U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This is a violent individual causing terrible harm in two different states.  We are thankful to the public who called in tips after seeing this fugitive in the media.  The partnership with the citizens of Cleveland, who want to see Cleveland a safer place, goes unmatched.”

    Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.

    The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Rochester Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud, Money Laundering in Feeding Our Future Scheme

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

    MINNEAPOLIS – A Rochester woman 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, from approximately December 2020 through January 2022, Ayan Jama, 45, knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud a federal child nutrition program designed to provide free meals to children in need. Rather than feed children, the defendants took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic—and the resulting program changes—to enrich themselves by fraudulently misappropriating millions of dollars in federal child nutrition program funds.

    According to court documents, Jama was one of the principals of Brava Rochester in Rochester, Minnesota. In September 2020, Jama’s Brava Restaurant and Aimee Bock applied for enrollment in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Bock’s non-profit, Feeding Our Future. A co-conspirator enrolled Brava Restaurant in the Federal Child Nutrition Program after the co-conspirator first prepared application paperwork at the direction of Salim Said, the co-owner of Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis, which was another business involved in the scheme to defraud the food program.

    From late 2020 through 2021, Jama and other conspirators claimed Brava Restaurant was serving approximately 2,000 to 3,000 daily breakfasts and lunches to children, for which they fraudulently claimed and received millions of dollars in federal child nutrition program funds. To accomplish his scheme, Jama and her co-conspirators submitted fake attendance rosters purporting to list the names of children who purportedly received their food at sites. These rosters were fraudulent in that the names on them were fake or did not correctly reflect the number of children that were fed.

    According to her plea agreement entered today, Jama claimed Brava Restaurant had served more than 1.7 million meals in Rochester as part of the Federal Child Nutrition Program in a little over one year, a number substantially higher than the actual number of meals served. Based on these fraudulent claims, Feeding Our Future paid out over $5.3 million in federal child nutrition program reimbursements for meals purportedly served to children by the defendant and her co-conspirators. Jama knew her receipt of such funds was fraudulent because she and other conspirators intentionally submitted inflated meal counts. Jama’s Brava Restaurant ultimately received $4.3 million directly from Feeding Our Future and over $900,000 from Safari Restaurant, co-owned by Salim Said.

    As part of their scheme, Jama and her conspirators coordinated the establishment of shell companies through which they received and dispersed funds from the federal child nutrition program. Specifically, on January 7, 2021, Salim Said paid to register six different shell companies with the state of Minnesota for Jama and others. For Jama, Salim Said paid to register East Africa LLC. In 2021, Jama deposited at least $407,070 in misappropriated Federal Child Nutrition Program funds into her East Africa LLC bank accounts.

    Jama used the federal child nutrition funds to pay for personal expenditures unrelated to feeding children, including $254,041 to purchase a home located in Rochester, Minnesota, $168,000 to purchase a home located in Columbus, Ohio, and $356,795 to purchase property on the Mediterranean Coast in Alanya, Turkey.

    Jama pleaded guilty last Friday in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Her 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 Matthew S. Ebert, Joseph H. Thompson, and Harry M. Jacobs are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Forging Readiness: Navy Reservists Train for Expeditionary Operations at NEMWDC

    Source: United States Navy

    The ERSS and ERCS training helps test the expeditionary medicine systems capabilities and reinforces essential operational skills, including combat lifesaving, tactical communications, weapons handling and mission planning.

    For the reservists, the training ensured they remain proficient and mission-ready, prepared to integrate seamlessly with active-duty forces to support the fleet while integrating their unique blend of expertise and military experience. Their role is crucial in providing surge capacity, specialized expertise and operational flexibility, strengthening the Navy’s ability to respond to global missions and maritime security challenges.

    During the training, the reservists worked alongside active-duty personnel to respond to simulated combat scenarios, including a bomb threat and a firefight. In one scenario, two service members sustained life-threatening injuries from an improvised explosive device and multiple gunshot wounds. Cmdr. You Wei Lin, a reservist anesthesiologist with the 4th Medical Logistics Group, 4th Medical Battalion Surgical Company Alpha, provided critical care and support to the simulated patients, ensuring they were safely sedated and monitored throughout a critical surgical procedure.

    Lin’s expertise allowed the surgical team to focus on life-saving interventions, such as controlling internal bleeding and repairing damaged tissue, under challenging condition. This collaboration demonstrated the importance of having skilled reservists integrated into expeditionary medical teams, showcasing their ability to perform seamlessly alongside active-duty counterparts in high-pressure scenarios.

    “I believe our team members integrated much more and started working together more cohesively after each evolution,” Lin said. “With high-fidelity simulation training, this course prepared our team both physically and mentally for the upcoming deployment.”

    The participation of the reservists in the training highlighted their importance to operational readiness.

    “Reservists bring specialized expertise and civilian medical experience that enhance the capability and flexibility of expeditionary medical teams, ensuring the highest level of care in combat and humanitarian missions,” explained Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jeffrey Reyes, the leading petty officer of education and training at NEMWDC.

    The Naval Expeditionary Medicine Warfighter Development Center, located at Camp Pendleton, is a center of excellence for unit-level medical training, advancing combat trauma skills and certifying expeditionary medical platforms to ensure readiness for future operations. The center’s training programs, like the one the reservists participated in, are critical to preparing medical personnel for the challenges of combat and contingency operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Criminal and Civil Actions Related to Unlawful Advertising and Sale of Dietary Supplements

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Remarks as prepared for delivery

    Good afternoon.

    We are here today to explain critical steps the federal government is taking to stem the tide of unlawful dietary supplements being sold to consumers nationwide. 

    Almost every day, news sources on the Internet, television and in print feature stories about the dangers of dietary supplements:  A supplement is laced with an undeclared pharmaceutical ingredient.  A study is released about adverse health consequences of a so-called natural remedy.  An athlete or member of the military falls ill after taking an untested energy product.  These stories arise across the country all too often. 

    Consumers turn to supplements when they want to lose weight, get an edge in athletic performance, or improve their overall well-being.  From California to Maine, consumers ingest pills, powders and liquids every day, not knowing whether they are wasting money or whether they may end up harming, rather than helping, themselves.  Unfortunately, many of these products are not what they purport to be or cannot do what the distributors claim they can do.  In some instances, consumers might be choosing supplements over other, proven therapies for serious conditions under the mistaken belief that these products can help.

    I am honored to be joined at the podium today by my colleagues from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).  Today we are announcing a sweep of actions targeting unlawful dietary supplement makers and marketers.  Over the past year, we have pursued civil and criminal cases against more than 100 makers and marketers of dietary supplements and similar products. 

    A centerpiece of the sweep announced today is the indictment of USPlabs, relating to widely popular workout and weight loss supplements.  Bestselling dietary supplements, with names like Jack3d, OxyElite Pro, and OxyElite Pro “New Formula” and “Advanced Formula,” raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.

    As alleged in the indictment unsealed today, the defendants were on a perpetual search for the next miracle ingredient.  That search generally focused on Chinese chemical manufacturers.  When they found an ingredient that they believed was promising – and knowing full well how the market for dietary supplements operated – they doctored packaging, labeling, and other paperwork to defraud others about what the product was.  Much of the alleged fraud focused on the defendants’ claims that their products were made from natural plant extracts.  In truth, as one defendant put it, “lol stuff is completely 100 % synthethic [sic]”.

    These fraudulent claims ensured that the synthetic chemicals entered the United States, got on store shelves, and were purchased by consumers.  As alleged in the indictment, the defendants falsified paperwork to stay off the radar of regulatory agencies – when the products crossed the border and as they circulated in commerce.  They made misrepresentations to convince well-known retailers, who had concerns about untested synthetic chemicals, to sell their products.  They falsified labeling and marketing materials to convince consumers, who prized natural ingredients, to buy their products.  All of these people – regulators, retailers and consumers – trusted that the defendants were telling the truth about their products.  All of these people were deceived.

    This deception put lives at risk.  The indictment describes the safety testing – or, more accurately, the lack of safety testing – that the defendants undertook before hawking these factory-made stimulants.  For instance, the indictment alleges that the defendants sometimes tested the ingredients on themselves and sold the ones that made them feel good.  With one product, the defendants allegedly recognized that the substance could potentially cause “liver toxicity.”  Yet without conducting a single test to determine whether that substance was safe, they went ahead and sold it, working from the baseless assumption that they weren’t using enough of the substance in their products to cause problems. 

    But there were problems.  There was an outbreak of liver injuries allegedly associated with the OxyElite Pro New Formula.  Consumers experienced jaundice; several needed transplants to save their lives.  How did the defendants respond?  As the indictment alleges, they promised the FDA and the public that they would stop distributing the product at issue.  They didn’t.  Instead, they undertook a surreptitious, all-hands-on-deck effort to sell as much of the product as they could.

    We are here today, in part, to take an important step in holding USPlabs accountable for its actions.  The indictment unsealed today charges USPlabs in Texas, four of its executives, and one of its consultants with a series of crimes associated with the sale of dietary supplements.  Charged with these defendants is S.K. Laboratories based in Southern California, which manufactured many of USPlabs’ products, and one of S.K. Laboratories’ executives.  As noted, this is just a step.  All of the defendants will have their day in court.  Whatever the outcome, I am confident that the dedicated men and women – from the Department of Justice and the special agents from the FDA and IRS Criminal Investigation – who have worked so hard to bring us to this point will ensure that justice is served.

    The allegations against USPlabs and its operators should serve as a wake-up call to the supplement industry.  The unmistakable message is that the Department of Justice and its partners will be vigilant when it comes to the health and safety of the American public.  Fighting illegal activity in the dietary supplement industry is a high priority on our consumer protection agenda.

    The USPlabs case is only one of the many cases brought as part of the sweep announced today.  Over the past year, law enforcement and regulatory officials have focused efforts on many additional products that cause high levels of concern among health officials nationwide.

    Many of the cases we have brought relate to products that misrepresent the ingredients they contain. 

    We have also brought cases involving products that make unsupported claims about their effects.  In numerous matters, the defendants are selling products online through websites and touting their products to consumers for the cure, treatment, or prevention of diseases ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease to herpes.  Making these disease cure claims defines these products as drugs under the law.  And even though they were warned by the FDA – and in some cases, through joint letters with the FTC – to stop making such claims, a number of the individuals and companies at issue continued to make these claims and promote their products as treatments or cures for diseases.  Yet these drugs lack substantial evidence of safety and effectiveness.  They are also being sold without adequate directions for their use.  Selling them in interstate commerce in these circumstances is illegal. 

    The government is taking a multi-faceted approach to combat the problem of unlawful dietary supplements.  In addition to criminal actions, we are using civil and administrative tools to safeguard consumers from harmful products.  As part of this sweep, the Department of Justice brought a dozen civil injunctive actions (including five in the last week) under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and in some cases, using the civil mail fraud injunction statute, seeking to stop the defendant entities and individuals from violating the law.  In these cases we are asking the courts to order the defendants to stop their illegal conduct and to put in place processes and procedures to prevent them from violating the law in the future.  Our partner agencies, including the FTC, FDA, USPIS, DoD and USADA, are taking other measures both to enforce the law and to educate the public.

    As I mentioned, I stand here in partnership with other agencies with whom we have joined forces to address this problem.  Through enforcement and education, each agency is performing its own mission to protect consumers or service members or athletes from dangerous, ineffective products.  You will hear more from my colleagues about the actions their agencies are taking.  Together, through cooperation and teamwork, we can multiply the impact of our efforts.  These actions will not put an end to this widespread problem.  But they will go some distance toward bringing change to the industry.

    We are not here to criticize the entire supplement marketplace.  Not every supplement contains an undisclosed ingredient.  Not every label lies about what is contained in the bottle.  Not every claim about dietary supplements is unsupported by scientific evidence.

    But consumers must be on guard before taking dietary supplements.  Oftentimes, it may be difficult or impossible to tell the conditions under which the supplements are manufactured, and it is challenging to sort through real scientific substantiation for a product as compared to unsupported hype.

    How can consumers perform their own due diligence? 

    Talk to your health care provider.  At physical exams, ask a physician whether the bottle seen on store shelves or on the Internet could cause you harm, or whether it is worth the money you are spending to buy it.

    Consult the public education materials provided by the FTC, FDA, DoD and USADA.  The FDA’s website, for example, includes tips for making informed decisions and evaluating dietary supplements, and the FTC’s website also has a wealth of information. 

    The Department of Defense and USADA have developed extraordinary tools, including a cell phone app, to help consumers make informed choices about supplements.

    This is only the beginning.  Thanks to the partnerships we have built, our efforts in this area will continue.  We will keep investigating violators and we will use all available tools at our disposal to advance our enforcement goals and to protect consumers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Statement at Briefing to Discuss the U.S. Government’s Ongoing Counterterrorism Efforts

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    As I’ve said previously, we stand in solidarity with the people of France at this difficult time.  We are committed to providing any and all assistance to our allies in Europe and around the world as we all face this global threat.  Now we’ve made that commitment clear, not just with words, but with our actions.  The Department of Justice, the FBI and other agencies are in close contact with French authorities, through our international legal assistance channels, to provide support to the French in their ongoing investigation, to coordinate strategies with them, and to advance our shared efforts as we obtain further information that may be relevant to these attacks.  We are operating on an expedited basis, as well, to ensure that the victim assistance professionals at the Department of Justice and the FBI are available to assist the victims and their families.  We’ve also expanded the FBI’s legal attaché office in Paris to offer assistance on an as-needed basis, and we have personnel working day and night to respond to any additional requests for assistance.  Now earlier today, President Obama spoke by phone with President Hollande to discuss the latest developments in the investigation and to reaffirm our partnership in the fight against terrorism.

    Now of course, our highest priority is and will remain the security of our homeland and the safety of all Americans.  At the Department of Justice, we are operating around the clock, as we have since 9/11 and even before, to uncover and disrupt any plot that take aim at our people, our infrastructure and our way of life.  We take all threats seriously, we’re acting aggressively to defuse threats as they emerge, and we are vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who seek to harm the American people. 

    In fact, since 2013, we have charged more than 70 individuals for conduct related to foreign-fighter interests and homegrown violent extremism, and we continue to take robust actions to monitor and to thwart potential extremist activity.  The Department of Justice and the FBI are working closely with the Department of Homeland Security, with the broader intelligence community and our partners around the world in all of these efforts, and we are bringing every resource to bear in the service of our mission.

    As I think it’s important to note, that as we do this work, we are guided, obviously, by our commitment to the protection of the American people, but also by our commitment to the protection of our American values, which include the timeless principles of inclusivity and freedom that have always made this country great.  We need to say, we will not let our actions be overtaken by fear, and we will not allow merchants of violence to rob us of our most precious ideals.  Our values are not secondary considerations in the fight against terror – they are central to the work that we do, and they are essential to the nation that we protect.  They are also the reason that we are a target, and they are what terrorists want most to see us abandon.  They want us to live in fear, and we refuse.  They want us to change who we are, and what makes us quintessentially American, and that we will never do.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Director Tracy Toulou of the Office of Tribal Justice Testifies Before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing “Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) — Five Years Later: How Have the Justice Systems in Indian Country Improved?”

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Remarks as prepared for delivery

    Chairman Barrasso, Vice-Chairman Tester and Members of the Committee:

    I am honored to appear before you to discuss the implementation efforts of the Department of Justice to fulfill our responsibilities as established in the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (TLOA) and, ultimately, to improve public safety in Indian country.  In introducing this Act in April 2009, Chairman Dorgan illuminated some of the hard realities faced by tribes in modern times, including: astonishingly high rates of violence, criminal exploitation of complex and sometimes confusing jurisdiction and crippling limitations on the legal authorities of tribal governments to ensure safety on their lands.  The introduction of TLOA included a charge to the federal government to provide tribal governments with the tools they need to better protect their communities, to live up to our treaty and trust obligations and to be more accountable for our efforts to enhance public safety in Indian country.  Thank you for the opportunity to provide an overview of the department’s efforts over the past five years to fulfill our responsibilities under this Act and honor our broader obligations to Indian country.  

    In October 2009, the department held a listening session with tribal leaders to help guide and inform the department’s policies, programs and activities affecting Indian country going forward.  Our leadership recognized the need to swiftly and meaningfully improve our contributions to public safety in Indian country and as a result of this listening session, launched a department-wide initiative to enhance public safety in Indian country, which is ongoing.  With the passage of TLOA in July 2010, the department’s initiative expanded to absorb new responsibilities and assumed a renewed sense of urgency.  Our work to enhance public safety has been and continues to be, shaped by our commitment to empower tribal governments; to improve coordination and collaboration at the federal, tribal, state and local levels; and to be appropriately accountable for the work we do.

    Empowering Tribal Governments

    The department views tribes as partners in ensuring public safety in Indian country and is committed to maximizing tribal control over tribal affairs.  It is our belief, informed by experience, that challenges faced by tribes are generally best met by tribal solutions.  In support of this commitment and the government-to-government nature of our relationships with tribes, the department has worked to fulfill its responsibilities under TLOA in a way that will ultimately empower tribes to operate with more autonomy.

    In order to support law enforcement activity by tribal officials in Indian country, tribes require access to law enforcement databases.  Under TLOA, the department must ensure that tribal law enforcement officials have access to national crime information databases.  The ability of tribes to fully engage in national criminal justice information sharing via state networks, which are the long-time conduit for such activities, has been dependent upon regulations, statutes and policies of the states that may not consistently enable tribal participation.  In order to improve access for tribes, the department has established two new programs and partnered on a third.

    First, the Justice Telecommunications System (JUST) program, which was launched in 2010, provided participating tribes with access to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).  This program is ongoing and currently serves 23 tribes.  This program, as well as the other two programs to improve data base access, were the result of on-going, substantive dialog with tribal governments and law enforcement.  

    Second, the department recently launched a more comprehensive access program based on feedback from tribes and lessons learned from the JUST program: the Department of Justice’s Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP).  The TAP program, first announced in August 2015, is designed to provide access to CJIS services, including: Next Generation Identification (NGI); National Data Exchange (N-DEx); Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP); National Crime Information Center (NCIC); National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); and Nlets, the International Justice and Public Safety Network.  Nlets is an interstate public safety network for the exchange of law enforcement, criminal justice and public safety information owned by the states.  Nlets supports inquiry into state databases, such as motor vehicle, driver’s license and criminal history, as well as inquiry into several federal databases, such as Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Drug Pointer Index, ICE’s Law Enforcement Support Center and FAA’s Aircraft Registration and Canada’s Canadian Police Information Center.  With funding from the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART), the TAP program has selected ten tribal participants to help provide user feedback on the training, technical assistance, equipment, and maintenance of this program.  Early feedback has been very positive and it is our intention to eventually make this program available to any interested tribe.  We will continue to work with Congress for additional funding to more broadly deploy the program.

    The TAP Program was the result of a 2014 working group, which consisted of representatives from the Departments of Justice and the Interior.  From this same close collaboration, the department partnered with Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) in a third program known as  “BIA Purpose Code X,” which gives tribes the ability through BIA-OJS to perform emergency name-based background checks for child placement purposes.  This is a crucial capability for tribal social service agencies seeking emergency placement of children in Indian country.

    The Department of Justice has increased its efforts to support tribal governments that are exercising expanded sentencing authority rooted in TLOA.  While TLOA properly does not require the department to review or certify a tribe’s use of enhanced felony sentencing authority or the status of a tribe’s efforts to amend its codes and court processes to provide defendants with the due process protections described in TLOA, we have taken steps to help ensure that tribes interested in exercising enhanced sentencing authority have knowledge of and access to relevant resources.  For example, OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Tribal Civil and Criminal Legal Assistance Program has provided training and technical services to support tribal civil and criminal legal procedures, legal infrastructure enhancements, public education and the development and enhancement of tribal justice systems.  More specifically, training and technical services have included the following: indigent legal defense services; civil legal assistance; public defender services; and strategies for the development and enhancement of tribal court policies, procedures and codes.

    The provision of high-quality training to tribal representatives has been an area of increased activity within the department since the passage of TLOA.  The department believes that ensuring access to quality training is a necessary element to bolstering tribal autonomy.  In July 2010, the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) launched the National Indian Country Training Initiative (NICTI) to ensure that federal prosecutors and agents, as well as state and tribal criminal justice personnel, receive the training and support needed to address the particular challenges relevant to Indian country prosecutions.  Importantly, the department covers the costs of travel and lodging for tribal attendees at classes sponsored by the NICTI. This allows many tribal criminal justice officials to receive cutting-edge training from national experts at no cost to the student or tribe.  The NICTI has sponsored approximately 75 training courses, and reached over 200 tribal, federal and state agencies.

    Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced a forthcoming training course to be held at the FLETC campus in Artesia, New Mexico.  Jointly taught by FBI and BIA “mentors” and FLETC common core instructors, the course will include instruction in forensic evidence collection and preparatory instruction on investigations common to Indian country, such as domestic violence, child abuse, violent crimes, human trafficking and drug trafficking.  This course will be held four times each year, with a total of 24 students in each session.  This course, the result of collaboration between FBI, BIA and FLETC, was developed out of a recognized need to train federal and tribal law enforcement officers together.  Another recent training was held by the DEA.  In September 2015, the National Native American Law Enforcement Association held a collaborative training event where the DEA provided on-site training on clandestine lab awareness for first responders, emerging technologies, and money laundering.  The training included federal, state, local, and tribal partners with Indian country responsibility.   

    One of the most meaningful displays of the department’s commitment to a government-to-government relationship with tribes is in our efforts to cross-deputize tribal law enforcement officials.  In doing so, we not only expand their authorities, but we send an important message that we are partners and allies with tribes in our collective efforts to enhance public safety in Indian country.  The Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Program was developed prior to the passage of TLOA to train tribal prosecutors in federal criminal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase prosecutions in federal court, tribal court, or both.  The program enables tribal prosecutors to bring cases in federal court and to serve as co-counsel with federal prosecutors on felony investigations and prosecutions of offenses originating in tribal communities.  The program has grown considerably since the passage of TLOA.  To date, there are 25 SAUSAs representing 23 tribes.  In addition to the SAUSA program, the Department of Justice investigative agencies have cross-deputized tribal law enforcement officers through joint task forces.  For example, the FBI has deputized 85 tribal law enforcement officers as part of the Safe Trails Task Forces.  There are currently 15 active Safe Trails Task Forces located around the country, working to combat violent crime, drugs, gangs and gaming violations. 

    In 2014, the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) fulfilled a key provision of TLOA by accepting certain tribal offenders sentenced in tribal courts for placement in BOP institutions.  The pilot program allowed any federally-recognized tribe to request that the BOP incarcerate a tribal member convicted of a violent crime under the terms of Section 234 of TLOA and authorized the BOP to house up to 100 tribal offenders at a time, nationwide.

    A fundamental goal of the BOP is to reduce future criminal activity by encouraging inmates to participate in a range of programs that have been proven to help them adopt a crime-free lifestyle upon their return to the community.  Through the pilot program, tribal offenders have access to the BOP’s many self-improvement programs, including work in prison industries and other institution jobs, vocational training, education, treatment for substance use disorders, classes on parenting and anger management, counseling, religious observance opportunities and other programs that teach essential life skills.  BOP has also ensured that there are culturally-appropriate offerings for native inmates.  In addition to increasing access to critical programs and treatments, the pilot program facilitated tribes’ ability to exercise enhanced sentencing authority under TLOA, which is an important indication of support for tribal sovereignty.  The pilot program was, by all accounts, a success and both tribes and the department would be supportive of necessary Congressional action to reauthorize this program.

    An important part of our support to tribes is necessarily tied to funds.  The department launched the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) in 2010, as a response to tribes’ request for increased flexibility.  Through CTAS, tribes and tribal consortia are able to submit a single application to apply for a broad range of the Department of Justice tribal grant programs.  Through CTAS, the department has awarded over 1,400 grants totaling more than $620 million.  Over time, we have refined this solicitation to enable tribes to take a truly comprehensive approach to improving public safety in tribal communities.  Under TLOA, the department was required to offer specific grants for delinquency prevention and response and to include dedicated funding for regional information sharing.  To date, we have awarded more than $44 million in support of tribal youth programs and more than $108 million to support regional information sharing systems.  The department continually seeks feedback from tribes on ways to improve CTAS and each year with our solicitation announcement we also communicate steps we have taken during the previous year to improve the process.  The most recent solicitation was released on Nov. 19, 2015, with an application deadline of Feb. 23, 2016.  It incorporates a number of changes, including the elimination of certain eligibility requirements, broadening allowable activities and extending the award period for certain grants.  Each year, the intention is to increase the accessibility and usefulness of CTAS grants.   

    In parallel to our outward-facing efforts, the department has made a number of internal structural changes to ensure our revamped presence in Indian country is long-lived.

    Evolution of Agency Infrastructure 

    To ensure that the day-to-day operations at the department are supportive of the policy and programmatic changes we have made since the passage of TLOA, we have made a number of internal adjustments across the department, from headquarters to field offices.  The intent in making these changes was to absorb the principles that drive the TLOA and our response to that Act, thus integrating them into the way we do business at the department.  Indeed, although not a direct response to TLOA, the department issued Attorney General Guidelines Stating Principles for Working with Federally Recognized Tribes (Statement of Principles) in December 2014 to guide and inform all of the department’s interactions with federally-recognized tribes.  This Statement of Principles serves as a point of reference for department employees and, importantly, a standard to which tribes can hold the department accountable.  

    In 1995, then-Attorney General Janet Reno established the Office of Tribal Justice (OTJ).  OTJ has operated continuously since then, although it was not made permanent until the passage of TLOA.  On Nov. 17, 2010, less than four months after TLOA’s enactment, the department published in the Federal Register a final rule that established OTJ as a permanent, standalone component of the department.  My office serves as a principal point of contact in the department for federally-recognized tribes, provides legal, policy and programmatic advice to the Attorney General with respect to the treaty and trust relationship between the United States and Indian tribes, promotes internal uniformity of department policies and litigation positions relating to Indian country and coordinates with other federal agencies and with state and local governments on their initiatives in Indian country. 

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices with Indian country in their districts play a primary role in our interactions with tribes.  U.S. Attorneys’ Offices often are the nexus of activity when federal involvement on reservations is necessary, from investigations to prosecutions to providing services to victims.  Every U.S Attorney’s Office, whose district includes Indian country or a federally-recognized tribe, has at least one Tribal Liaison and some districts have more than one.  Along with the TLOA-driven requirement that each relevant office appoint a Tribal Liaison, the U.S. Attorneys are required to hold annual consultations with tribes in their districts.  In order to assist the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee’s Native American Issues Subcommittee, as well as to serve as a liaison to other department components, the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys formally established the position of Native American Issues Coordinator.          

    These changes to the structure of the department were driven by the department’s support for and fulfillment of its responsibilities under TLOA.  There have been a series of policy shifts that are not a direct response to the Act but are in keeping with the spirit of that legislation.  For example, the issuance of the Department of Justice Statement of Principles, discussed earlier, marks an important shift in our approach at all levels of the department to interacting with tribes.  Similarly, the Department of Justice Consultation Policy is based on three guiding principles: that the department must engage with tribal nations on a government-to-government basis; that tribal sovereignty and Indian self-determination are now and must always be, the foundations of every policy or program; and that communication and coordination with our tribal partners, among federal agencies and with our state and local counterparts are essential to accountability and to success.

    Greater Accountability

    Accountability is a critical element in a true partnership and the department has taken a number of steps to increase our accountability to tribes.  The TLOA-mandated reports were intended to promote greater transparency of department activities in Indian country and the process of responding has been a useful exercise for our agency to scrutinize trends and patterns of activity.  In some cases, the reports have revealed a need to expand our agency response to meet specific needs and organize our resources more effectively, such as those related to long-term detention.  In other cases, the reporting process highlighted positive impacts that department activity has had in Indian country over time and a need to perpetuate beneficial initiatives, such as the BOP pilot program report and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Report.  In tracking prosecutions and crime data, the department has benefitted from taking a focused look at our response to trends in Indian country and as a result is in a better position to adjust our resources internally to address emerging trends and issues.

    The department has made progress over the past five years in bolstering our government-to-government relationship with tribes and in honoring our treaty and trust obligations.  We are all fully cognizant that there is significant work still to be done to live up to our responsibilities in Indian country and we are committed to seeing this work through.  We appreciate Congress’ efforts to foster public safety and look forward to working closely with our partners in Indian country to fully honor our responsibilities.  I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.    

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks at Press Conference Announcing Law Enforcement Action Related to FIFA

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Remarks as prepared for delivery

    Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here.  I know for many of you, the horrific events of San Bernardino are at the top of your mind.  I do want to take a moment before we begin to address yesterday’s shooting.  The FBI has a leadership role in the investigation, working in conjunction with state and local law enforcement, as well as the ATF and U.S. Marshals Service.  And as this investigation unfolds, we intend to provide any and all assistance necessary to local authorities and to the people of San Bernardino who have been so profoundly affected by this unspeakable crime. 

    As I said this morning, I know that I stand with all Americans when I say that my thoughts and prayers – and those of my colleagues at every level of the Department of Justice – are with the families and loved ones of the victims, and with the brave public safety officials who put themselves in harm’s way in order to save others.

    I am joined today by U.S. Attorney [Robert] Capers of the Eastern District of New York, Director [James] Comey of the FBI and Chief of Investigation [Richard] Weber of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division.  Six months ago, the Department of Justice announced a 47-count indictment charging 14 defendants with pervasive and long-running conspiracies in the world of organized soccer.  We alleged that the defendants – including high-ranking FIFA officials; leaders of governing bodies under the FIFA umbrella; and sports marketing executives – had corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and enrich themselves.  We stated our determination to end these practices; to root out corruption; and to bring wrongdoers to justice.  And we pledged to work with our partners around the world to hold additional co-conspirators and corrupt individuals accountable.

    Today, we are announcing a superseding indictment, which includes new charges against new defendants, as well as additional arrests and guilty pleas in connection with our ongoing investigation.  A federal grand jury in Brooklyn has returned a 92-count superseding indictment, which includes charges against 16 new defendants, all of whom are current or former soccer officials.  These defendants include the sitting presidents of two of FIFA’s six continental soccer confederations – CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, and CONMEBOL, which covers South America.  Both of these defendants, Alfredo Hawit of Honduras and Juan Ángel Napout of Paraguay, are also FIFA vice presidents and members of its executive committee.  In addition, the superseding indictment charges high-ranking officials of other soccer governing bodies, including current and former presidents of national soccer federations in Central and South America.  Each of the 16 new defendants is charged with racketeering conspiracy and other crimes in connection with their sustained abuse of their positions for financial gain.

    Earlier today, Swiss authorities arrested two of the new defendants, Alfredo Hawit and Juan Angel Napout, as they gathered to attend FIFA meetings in Zurich.  We are now working to extradite those defendants to the United States, just as we are working to secure the arrest and extradition of additional defendants residing in other countries.

    In addition to naming new defendants, the superseding indictment also expands the bribery and corruption charges set forth in the original indictment unsealed last May.  In the original indictment, we alleged that between 1991 and the present, two generations of soccer officials conspired to solicit and receive well over $200 million, often through an alliance with sports marketing executives who sought to obtain lucrative contracts and shut out competitors through the systematic payment of bribes and kickbacks.  We also alleged bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sponsorship of the Brazilian soccer federation by a major U.S. sportswear company, the selection of the host country for the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 FIFA presidential election. 

    The new charges highlight corruption schemes principally involving soccer officials in Central and South America and sports-marketing companies based in South America and the United States.  Consistent with the intergenerational nature of the corruption schemes, they involve payments relating to tournaments that have already been played, as well as matches scheduled into the next decade – including multiple cycles of FIFA World Cup qualifiers and international friendly matches involving six Central American member associations; a bribery scheme relating to the sale of broadcasting rights implicating nearly all of the top CONMEBOL officials; and an Argentinian sports marketing company’s scheme to bribe Central American soccer officials.  Not content to hijack the world’s most popular sport for decades of ill-gotten gains, these defendants, as alleged, sought to institutionalize their corruption to ensure that it lived on, not for the good of the game but for their own personal aggrandizement and gain.

    The roles of several of the defendants in these schemes illustrate the depth as well as the persistence of the alleged corruption.  The defendant Héctor Trujillo currently serves as a judge on the Constitutional Court of Guatemala, purportedly dispensing justice by day while allegedly soliciting bribes and selling his influence within FIFA.  Another, Alfredo Hawit, ascended to the position of CONCACAF president that was left open when we charged his predecessor with corruption in May – and then, as alleged, assumed the mantle of those same corrupt practices.  The defendant Ariel Alvarado is a member of FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee, entrusted with stamping out the corrupt behavior in which he is now alleged to be involved. 

    The betrayal of trust set forth here is outrageous.  The scale of corruption alleged herein is unconscionable.  And the message from this announcement should be clear to every culpable individual who remains in the shadows, hoping to evade our investigation: You will not wait us out.  You will not escape our focus. 

    Many have already heeded that warning.  Today, I can report that eight additional defendants have agreed to plead guilty for their involvement in the corruption schemes we have outlined.  After the initial charges were filed in May, these eight defendants came forward and accepted responsibility for their criminal conduct.  Five of them were not named in the original indictment.  As I have stated before, anyone who seeks to live in the past and to return soccer to its old ways is on the wrong side of progress, and does a disservice to the integrity of this beautiful sport.  The Department of Justice is committed to ending the rampant corruption we have described amidst the leadership of international soccer – not only because of the scale of the schemes alleged earlier and today, or the brazenness and breadth of the operation required to sustain such corruption, but also because of the affront to international principles that this behavior represents.

    After all, global sports like soccer exemplify, in FIFA’s own words, “unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”  They are one of the primary ways we teach our children about character, about fair play and about teamwork.  International tournaments promote understanding between nations, and embody an acknowledgement of our common humanity – something that is desperately important, particularly in these times of global challenge.  That’s why this investigation does more than address corruption in a worldwide sports organization.  It also reaffirms the ideals that have always guided our society – and, most importantly, our young people – toward the fair and just future they deserve.  This Department of Justice intends to uphold those values – throughout this ongoing investigation, and always.

    I want to thank our international partners – particularly the Swiss authorities – for the close cooperation and invaluable assistance they continue to provide.  They have been instrumental in bringing these wrongdoers to justice and helping to restore the integrity of a vital athletic tradition.  Today’s action also relied on the tireless work of federal investigators and prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, in the FBI’s New York Field Office and in the Los Angeles Field Office of the IRS’s Criminal Investigation Division.  I am so grateful to all of the agents, analysts and attorneys who continue to devote their time and their talents to this important investigation.

    At this time, I’d like to introduce U.S. Attorney Capers, who has done an outstanding job leading this effort since his appointment in October, and who will provide additional details on today’s announcement.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Delivers Remarks on the San Bernardino Shootings at the FBI Briefing

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    Well, good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for coming over to join the Director’s Briefing today. All of this will be his briefing.

    As many of you know, the news from San Bernardino continues to evolve and obviously we now have seen the names and faces of those victims, of the fallen and injured, and, as always, our hearts go out to them and let’s keep them in our prayers, not just those who did lose their lives but also those who were injured in this, including our law enforcement officials.

    As we’ve always told you about this matter, it is an evolving investigation. We also told you we’d keep you informed about this investigation. Just recently, there was a press conference in the local area with the Assistant Director in Charge of the Los Angeles Office providing more operational details. The Director’s going to give you a further briefing, as well.

    As you saw from that and as we indicated yesterday, the FBI has taken the lead in this investigation. They continue to work with our local partners who are outstanding partners, also along with the ATF and U.S. Marshals, as well, as we continue to investigate this.

    There’s been a lot of new information that’s come to light and the Director’s going to give you some more insight into that.

    So thank you all for being here today.

    MIL Security OSI –