NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan National Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Methamphetamine Delivery to Fresno

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

    FRESNO, Calif. — Donis Ariel Maldonado, 28, a Guatemalan national residing in El Monte, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, Maldonado agreed with other members of the conspiracy to distribute 22 pounds of heroin and over 80 pounds of methamphetamine sourced from Mexico.  On June 24, 2019, Maldonado delivered the drugs to an informant in Fresno.

    This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and the High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT), a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Initiative (HIDTA), which consists of personnel from the California Department of Justice, Fresno Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Kings County Sheriff’s Office, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

    Maldonado is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Feb. 18, 2025. Maldonado faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine. 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.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jacksonville Medical Records Technician Sentenced to 35 Years for Sexually Exploiting Numerous Children Online

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

    Jacksonville, Florida – Chief United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Arin Caleb Ellis (27, Jacksonville) to 35 years in federal prison for producing and distributing videos depicting children being sexually abused. Ellis was also ordered to serve a lifetime term of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. Ellis was arrested on August 29, 2022, and has been in federal custody since that date. On February 28, 2024, Ellis pleaded guilty to persuading and coercing a child to engage in producing visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct and to distributing a video depicting a child being sexually abused. 

    According to court documents, from January 2018 through August 29, 2022, Ellis was an active member of several online groups on social media applications (apps) dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children and the sharing of child sexual abuse materials. Ellis and other members of these groups conspired and worked together to locate and sexually exploit minors across a variety of online social media platforms. During online text conversations, Ellis and other members discussed and strategized on how to pressure and coerce targeted children into producing sexually explicit photos and videos and engaging in sexually explicit conduct live on social media apps. Ellis and the other members also exchanged information about the identity of children who had an online presence, such as the minors’ names, ages, locations, and online user identifiers. Ellis told other group members that he preferred targeting female children who were 8 to 11 years old. Posing as minor children, Ellis and the other members persuaded and coerced the targeted children to engage in sexually explicit conduct and to live-stream the conduct that Ellis and his co-conspirators would covertly record. When Ellis and the other members obtained the sexually explicit recordings, they shared these materials through online group chats and other cloud-based file storage apps and websites.

    Ellis developed and used certain recording tools to capture live-streaming content over the internet that depicted the targeted children engaging in sexual acts. These tools allowed Ellis to simultaneously record multiple streaming video feeds from different children, and he shared these tools with other members for their use. Ellis used a variety of social media apps to communicate with the targeted minors across the United States and portrayed himself as a 10 or 11-year-old female child named “nova” from Florida. Ellis initially sent the targeted child sexually explicit photos and videos depicting an actual minor female that he was pretending to be and asked the child to be his “girlfriend.” After gaining some measure of trust, he then asked the child to send him sexually explicit photos and videos and recorded the child as she live-streamed sexually explicit conduct at his direction. Ellis also threatened some of the targeted children who refused to provide him with sexually explicit materials. 

    Ellis and the other group members also collaborated to hack into baby monitors, “nanny” cameras, and other internet-enabled cameras within private residences. The co-conspirators periodically provided Ellis with internal protocol addresses, which he developed his own computer code to remotely hack into these devices, allowing him to capture streaming video from compromised baby monitors.

    During this investigation, the FBI executed multiple search warrants and seized the contents of the accounts used by Ellis and other group members. That content, combined with the evidence recovered from Ellis’ electronic devices, revealed that Ellis potentially targeted thousands of minor children for online sexual exploitation.

    On August 29, 2022, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Ellis’ residence and seized his computers and electronic devices, several of which were encrypted. Forensic examination of one of Ellis’ cellphones revealed that he used a particular online app to send two videos of child sexual abuse to a co-conspirator just hours before FBI agents arrived at his residence. In total, the FBI recovered at least 1,700 photos and 700 videos depicting children engaging in sexually explicit conduct that Ellis maintained on his electronic devices and in his online social media accounts. Many of these materials depict young children, some as young as 6 years old. 

    Roger B. Handberg, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director B. Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, and Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler of the FBI Jacksonville Field Office, made this announcement. 

    This case was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Operational Unit in Linthicum, Maryland, and the FBI Jacksonville Field Office, with assistance from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown for the Middle District of Florida, and Trial Attorneys Kaylynn Foulon and McKenzie Hightower of the DOJ Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section prosecuted the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Sapotaweyak Cree Nation — Swan River RCMP lay numerous charges in robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On November 2, 2024, at 3:25 pm, Swan River RCMP responded to a report of a 24-year-old male having assaulted several people and was now walking around the community with a firearm.

    As officers arrived in the community, information was received that the suspect had fled the area after being picked up in a vehicle.

    Patrols were made and the suspect vehicle was located at the gas bar in Mafeking. A traffic stop was conducted on this vehicle that led to the arrest of the 24-year-old male, a 27-year-old male and a 40-year-old female. The 24-year-old male suspect had been found lying in the back of the vehicle with a loaded sawed-off shotgun, machete and ammunition.

    The investigation has determined that the 24-year-old male had assaulted two male victims (22, 20), threatened to harm them and forced them to empty their pockets and turn over their cell phones all while having the firearm pointed at them.

    24-year-old Chandler Cook and 27-year-old Travis Cook, both from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, were remanded into custody on charges including Careless Use of a Firearm x2, Point Firearm x2, Robbery with Firearm x2 as well as numerous other firearm-related offences.

    The 40-year-old female, from Brandon, was later released from custody for a future court appearance in Swan River.

    Swan River RCMP continue to investigate.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Springhill — Cumberland County District RCMP investigating suspicious circumstances

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Cumberland County District RCMP is seeking assistance to identify a man following a suspicious incident in Springhill.

    On November 4, RCMP officers responded to a report of a suspicious person on Pine St. Investigators learned that at approximately 5:00 p.m., a man driving a truck stopped on the roadway and waved to a child outside a nearby home in an attempt to have them approach his vehicle.

    Based on there having been a significant distance between the child and the road, the child is not believed to have been at risk of physical harm during this incident. The child quickly informed an adult, and the vehicle left the area. Police did patrols but the vehicle was not located.

    “This child did the right thing by immediately telling an adult about this incident,” says Sgt. Brian Cameron, Operations NCO of Cumberland County District RCMP. “We don’t know the driver’s intent and would like to hear from him.”

    The male driver had brown hair and a mask that covered his nose and mouth. He was wearing a sweater and pants, possibly blue and green. The pick-up truck was silver in colour.

    Police want to speak with people who have information about this incident, as well as anyone who has witnessed or experienced a similar incident in the area. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cumberland County District RCMP at 902-243-2181. To remain anonymous, contact 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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Canton Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon

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

    Jackson, MS – A Canton man was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    According to court documents, on January 2, 2024, Damonik Robinson, 23, was found in possession of a firearm after Capitol Police conducted a traffic stop on Madison Street near Fortification Street in Jackson. There were four firearms found in the vehicle, three of which were equipped with attached machinegun conversion devices, commonly known as “switches,” which convert semi-automatic handguns to automatic weapons.  At the time of this possession, Robinson already had a previous felony conviction for drug and gun possession. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition.

    Robinson was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 21, 2024.  He pled guilty on July 18, 2024, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office has seen an increase in cases involving illegal firearm conversion devices, commonly known as “switches” or “auto sears,” which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons (i.e., machineguns) in a matter of seconds. The rapid fire of firearms converted to machineguns presents a significant danger in our community to both the public and law enforcement.  According to a 2023 report by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), there was a 570% increase in the number of machinegun conversion devices taken into ATF custody between 2017 and 2021.

    U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

    The ATF and Capitol Police Department are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber Jones is prosecuting the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Marion County Man Indicted for Drug, Firearms Charges

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

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Vincent Irving Jones, 33, of Fairmont, West Virginia, has been indicted on methamphetamine and firearms charges.

    Jones is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. According to the court documents, Jones was found with methamphetamine and a .32 caliber pistol in Marion County. Jones is prohibited from having firearms because of prior felony convictions of voluntary manslaughter, escape from custody, and fleeing while under the influence of alcohol.

    Jones faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the drug charge, up to 15 years for the unlawful firearms charge, and up to five years for the obliterated serial number charge. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Flower is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fairmont Police Department.

    An indictment is merely an allegation, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Domestic Violence Offender Indicted For Illegally Trying To Buy Firearms

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

    Jacksonville, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Vance Perry (67, Palatka) with making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm on two separate occasions. If convicted, Perry faces up to five years in federal prison. 

    According to the indictment, on February 18, 2023, Perry completed an ATF Form 4473 during the attempted purchase of a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer. On March 25, 2024, Perry tried to buy a different gun from another federally licensed firearms dealer. Perry indicated on the required paperwork that he was not convicted of a domestic violence offense. The indictment alleges that this was a false statement, and that Perry was previously convicted of domestic battery on December 28, 2021.

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

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

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot. 

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dubuque Man Who Possessed Firearms While Being an Illegal User of Methamphetamine and Cocaine Sentenced to Prison

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

    A man who possessed five firearms while being an illegal drug user was sentenced November 1, 2024, to more than one year in federal prison.

    Jesse James Zeromski, age 25, from Dubuque, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 10, 2024, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user.

    At the guilty plea, Zeromski admitted he unlawfully possessed five firearms, including a revolver, two shotguns, and two rifles, while being an unlawful user of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine.  

    Zeromski was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Zeromski was sentenced to twelve months’ and one day imprisonment.  He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.

    Zeromski is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    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 prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hudson and Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and investigated by the Dubuque Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.  

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.

    The case file number is 24-CR-1008.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Okmulgee Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Charge

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

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Wilbert Lamon Rivers, age 26, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.

    The Indictment alleged that on November 4, 2023, Rivers knowingly possessed a semiautomatic pistol and forty rounds of ammunition after having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Muscogee (Creek) Lighthorse Police Department, the Okmulgee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  Rivers will remain in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.

    Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Statement on Bomb Threats to Polling Locations

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

    The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far.

    Election integrity is among the FBI’s highest priorities. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.

    As always, we urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to state or local law enforcement, or submit tips to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: 35th ADA Brigade supports Keen Sword 25 exercise in Japan

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SOUTH KOREA  –  

    Soldiers from Eighth Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade participated in Keen Sword 25, which concluded Nov. 1.

    Keen Sword is a joint bilateral exercise designed to increase readiness and interoperability between the U.S. and Japan.

    Seventeen service members from E Battery, 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion participated in a joint field training exercise with the 17th Field Artillery Brigade (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington) in Japan. Two Avengers and one Sentinel Radar were part of a support package that provided base defense assets during the exercise.

    Additional training was accomplished when the units were able to network with the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade based in Japan via a tactical datalink network. Mobility training was also accomplished as Echo Battery utilized port operations to ship and receive their equipment. The team deployed to one of Japan’s islands for the 10-day exercise.

    Keen Sword 25 participants included military units from the U.S. and Japan, Australia and Canada, which all took part in integrated training across the island nation. They honed their skills to maintain warfighting readiness. Bilateral and multilateral events undertaken as part of Keen Sword 25 included joint live fire training, medical mass casualty exercises, installation security forces training and simulated airfield damage repair, among others.

    The 35th ADA Brigade is one of Eighth Army’s six major subordinate commands based at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Statement on Additional Inauthentic Uses of Bureau Name, Insignia in Promoting False Election-Related Narratives

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

    Today, the FBI was made aware of three instances of its name and insignia being misused to promote false narratives surrounding the election. These three instances are the latest in a series of fabricated videos and statements falsely attributed to the FBI designed to mislead the American public.
     
    The first is a fabricated FBI written statement warning media and bloggers against publishing information about violence at polling stations. The false statement claims active dissemination of information about attacks at polling stations may provoke a spontaneous increase in such incidents and that withholding such information would ensure the safety of U.S. citizens. This statement is not authentic, is not from the FBI, and its contents are false.
     
    The second is a fabricated video impersonating the FBI and a United States government agency purportedly providing a joint statement suggesting schools suspend educational activities through November 11, claiming that “the risk of school shooting and riots has increased significantly” because of the U.S. election. The fake video further states, to avoid casualties, schools should switch to distance learning or temporarily cancel classes. This video is not authentic, is not from the FBI, and its contents are false.
     
    The third is a fabricated video claiming the FBI received “9,000 complaints about malfunctioning voting machines.” It further states that the machines were found submitting votes for a specific candidate. This video is also not authentic, is not from the FBI, and its contents are false.
     
    Election integrity is among our highest priorities, and the FBI is working closely with state and local law enforcement partners to respond to election threats and protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote. Attempts to deceive the public with false content about FBI threat assessments and activities aim to undermine our democratic process and erode trust in the electoral system.   
     
    The FBI encourages everyone to seek election and voting information from reliable sources, such as your local election office. And if you suspect criminal activity, we ask that you report that information to state or local law enforcement or by contacting the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), or by submitting a tip online to tips.fbi.gov.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: USINDOPACOM Hosts Korea Military Academy Cadets 

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke to cadets from the Korea Military Academy during their visit to USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Nov. 5, 2024.

    Paparo emphasized the importance of leadership, morale and the strategic alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States to future leaders who will uphold the linchpin of security for mutual shared interests in the Indo-Pacific. The visit was a continuation from last month, when Paparo spoke at the KMA in the Republic of Korea and invited them to visit USINDOPACOM. 

    USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Secretary General congratulates US President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance

    Source: NATO

    I congratulate Donald Trump on his election as President of the United States.

    I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO.

    Through NATO, the US has 31 friends and Allies who help to advance US interests, multiply American power and keep Americans safe.

    Together, NATO Allies represent half of the world’s economic might and half of the world’s military might.

    We face a growing number of challenges globally, from a more aggressive Russia, to terrorism, to strategic competition with China, as well the increasing

    alignment of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

    Working together through NATO helps to deter aggression, protect our collective security, and support our economies. 

    President-elect Trump demonstrated strong U.S. leadership throughout his first term in office – a term that turned the tide on European defence spending, improved transatlantic burden sharing, and strengthened Alliance capabilities. 

    When President-elect Trump takes office again on January 20, he will be welcomed by a stronger, larger, and more united Alliance. 

    Two-thirds of Allies now spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence, and defence spending and production are on an onward trajectory across the Alliance.

    We must continue these efforts in order to preserve peace and prosperity across North America and Europe. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: California Man Convicted of Distributing Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Troy Alexander Mendez, age 25, a resident of Temple City, California, plead guilty on Tuesday to distribution of controlled substances. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Mendez admitted that, in August 2023, he sold and shipped over 300 grams of methamphetamine via the U.S. Postal Service to a customer in the Syracuse, New York area. Law enforcement intercepted the package and identified Mendez as the source of the shipment.

    Sentencing is scheduled for February 11, 2025, in Syracuse, at which time Mendez faces a mandatory minimum federal prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Ulster County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Failing to Register Email Address

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph Nash, a/k/a “Nash Von Wicked” and “Nash Bridges,” age 45, of Port Ewen, New York, pled guilty today to failing to update his registration as a sex offender to include an email address that he failed to disclose.  United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement. 

    Nash admitted that he became a Tier II sex offender after he pled guilty in federal court in 2009 to distributing child pornography.  Nash knew that as a registered sex offender, he was required to report, among other things, all email addresses he used to the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services.  Despite this requirement, he created an email address in August 2023 and failed to disclose it to New York authorities as required under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).  Nash, who was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense, further admitted he also did not disclose this email address and a contemporaneously created Facebook account to the U.S. Probation Office for the Northern District of New York. 

    In addition to his guilty plea to failing to update his registration information as a sex offender, Nash also admitted today that his conduct violated the terms of supervised release imposed as a result of his child pornography conviction.

    Sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2025 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The SORNA offense carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life.  The supervised release violations carry a maximum term of 2 years in prison.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Santa Fe Springs Man Sentenced to Prison for Submitting Fake Online Tips Claiming Others Planned Attacks on Military Facilities

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    LOS ANGELES – A Santa Fe Springs man has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for reporting eight online tips to the United States Department of Defense (DOD) falsely claiming that certain women were about to perpetrate mass-casualty attacks at U.S. military facilities in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the Justice Department announced today.

    Daniel Sandoval, 29, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson. 

    Sandoval pleaded guilty on February 12 to one count of false information and hoaxes.

    According to his plea agreement, on March 21, 2021, Sandoval knowingly provided an online tip to the DOD reporting system that falsely stated that a woman – identified in court documents as “S.C.” – was planning to detonate bombs in a “mass attack” at a U.S. Navy weapons facility located in Seal Beach. According to Sandoval’s tip, the attack would involve “blowing up military vehicles stationed there and civilian personnel vehicles.”

    During the following two days, Sandoval made seven more online tips to the DOD, falsely identifying additional women who purportedly posed threats. For example, on March 22, 2021, Sandoval provided an online tip to the DOD that falsely stated a woman – identified in court documents as “S.H.” – and others planned to detonate bombs at a U.S. military hospital located in Bell Gardens. 

    On March 23, 2021, Sandoval provided a false online tip to the Defense Department that falsely stated a woman – identified in court documents as “L.E.” – and others were planning to bomb and conduct a mass shooting at a U.S. Army Reserve Center in South El Monte.

    Sandoval admitted in his plea agreement that his conduct substantially disrupted public and government functions and services, including the evacuation of personnel from a Navy building due to the false tip.

    “[Sandoval’s] unlawful conduct harmed not only the military bases he targeted and the personnel living or working on those bases, but also harmed the innocent women who he claimed were perpetrating these dangerous threats,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. 

    The FBI’s Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation in this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander H. Tran of the General Crimes Section and James A. Santiago of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section, prosecuted this case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Utah Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Assaulting Law Enforcement with Dangerous Weapons and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON— A Utah man was sentenced to six years in prison today after he was previously convicted of seven felonies, including assaulting law enforcement officers with dangerous weapons during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

               Odin Meacham, 30, of Myton, Utah, was sentenced to six years – or 72 months – in prison, 24 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates.

               Judge Bates previously found Meacham guilty of seven felonies, including civil disorder; two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers with a dangerous weapon; assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers; engaging in physical violence on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly conduct on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and entering and remaining on restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon. Meacham was also convicted of a misdemeanor offense of act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

               According to evidence presented during the trial and court documents, on Jan. 5, 2021, Meacham, a resident of Myton, Utah, embarked on a 30-hour, 2,000-mile journey to Washington, D.C., to attend events related to the certification of the 2020 presidential election. On the morning of January 6th, Meacham attended the “Stop the Steal” rally, where the former President addressed the crowd. Following the rally, Meacham, along with thousands of other rioters, marched to the U.S. Capitol building.

               Upon reaching Capitol grounds, Meacham bypassed the initial barriers and moved with the crowd of rioters to the West Plaza, where another line of barricades and police officers held the line against advancing rioters.

               At 2:10 p.m., Meacham    rushed towards several police officers guarding the West Plaza, raised a wooden flagpole over his head, and slammed the flagpole against the upper body of a Capitol Police Officer so hard that the flagpole snapped in half. Meacham then swung the broken flagpole at officers again, striking a bike rack that had been placed in front of the officers for protection.

               At approximately 2:14 p.m., Meacham abandoned the broken flagpole and picked up a metal pole lying on the ground. Meacham then threw the metal pole at a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, hitting the officer’s left hand. The evidence presented at trial showed that Meacham, after throwing the metal pole and striking the officer, proceeded to point at and taunt that same officer.

               Even after two assaults with dangerous weapons, Meacham’s violent and aggressive actions continued. At 2:16 p.m., Meacham approached another MPD officer and shouted “lean in!” repeatedly, while gesturing towards the crowd in an apparent attempt to rally others to overpower the line of officers. Meacham then grabbed the officer’s baton and tried to wrestle it away.

               After the altercation, Meacham remained on Capitol grounds, where he continued to verbally harass, abuse, and taunt officers. His comments included expletives and accusations, such as “you f— pieces of s—,” “you traitors,” “you dogs,” “you f— scumbag pieces of s—,” and “are you scared, m—f—?”

               The FBI arrested Meacham on May 15, 2023, in Utah.

               The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah provided valuable assistance.

               The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office’s Vernal Resident Agency and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Meacham as #400 on its seeking information photos. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

    In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

    Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Texas Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — William Lesley, 34, of Dallas, Texas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to four years and nine months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

    According to court documents, law enforcement officers conducted a parole search in Galt at the residence of Lesley’s co-defendant, Dexter Weeks, 35, a known felon on parole. While clearing the residence, officers encountered Lesley as he was coming out of a bedroom. In the bedroom where Lesley had exited, officers found a loaded Ruger pistol in a backpack on the floor near the bed. Lesley is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has multiple state felony convictions.

    After pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, Weeks was sentenced on Aug. 27, 2024, to seven years in prison.

    This case was the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid prosecuted the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Confluence Corp. Settles Allegations of False Claims for Payment of Work Performed by Unqualified Welders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – United States Attorney Clare E. Connors announced that Confluence Corp. d/b/a Regal Service Company (“Regal”), a Hawaii corporation and Department of the Navy contractor, has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly submitting false claims for payment for work performed by unqualified welders on the USS Chung Hoon, USS John Paul Jones, and USS William P. Lawrence at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility between January 2020 and October 2021. 

    The United States alleged that after an initial review of Regal’s contract work, the Navy determined Regal had used welders lacking required certifications to perform the identified tasks. During a full-scale review of Regal’s work, the Navy confirmed the welders were unqualified and also determined that the welds were deficient. The United States further alleged that Regal provided the Navy falsified documents to make it appear as though its welders had obtained the required certifications when in fact they had not.

    The $300,000 payment from Regal includes $150,000 in restitution to cover costs incurred by the Navy to address the faulty welds. 

    “When anyone – an individual or corporation – does business with the United States of America, the falsification of documents and other false representations will not be tolerated,” said Clare E. Connors, the United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii. “The failure to perform the terms of a government contract risks harming our servicemembers, and our office will continue to hold companies accountable for such misconduct.”

    “Submitting false claims for work performed by unqualified welders harms operational readiness and endangers warfighter safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Economic Crimes Field Office. “NCIS appreciates our investigative partners for their continued efforts to help protect the Department of the Navy from threats posed by such fraud.”

    “Department of Defense (DoD) contractors bear a solemn trust to earnestly fulfill their contractual terms. Our military readiness, as well as the health and safety of our brave men and women in uniform, depend upon it,” said Stanley A. Newell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the DoD, Office of Inspector General’s, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Transnational Operations Field Office. “The dedicated professionals of DCIS and our partner agencies will work tirelessly to hold those who violate the public trust accountable.”

    The False Claims Act allows for treble damages, and civil penalties of up to $27,894 per violation. DCIS’s Transnational Operations Field Office and NCIS’s Economic Crimes Field Office West investigated the case.

    Assistant United States Attorney Sydney Spector handled the matter.

    The claims against Regal resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Owner of a Bend-Based Microbrewery Equipment Company Sentenced to Federal Prison for Mail and Wire Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EUGENE, Ore.— The former owner of a Bend, Oregon-based microbrewery equipment company was sentenced to federal prison today for defrauding nearly two dozen customers out of more than $880,000.

    Matthew Mulder, 52, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $887,116 in restitution to his victims.

    Mulder used his company, We Can Brewing Systems, LLC, which he co-founded in 2014, to solicit payments for custom-built microbrewery systems, keg washers, and other industrial brewing products. Beginning in at least January 2017 and continuing through June 2018, Mulder solicited and accepted orders for equipment he knew his company was not capable of fulfilling. When customers asked for updates on their orders, Mulder falsely stated that they were on schedule or nearing completion.

    At the same time, Mulder would entice customers to make additional payments by sending emails and text messages that included photos of nearly-completed orders prepared for other customers. He would then send the customers fake invoices for shipping costs, which they would pay. Many customers received nothing from Mulder following those final shipping payments.

    During the fraud, Mulder solicited and accepted new customer contracts requiring large down payments that he would in-turn use for personal expenses, to pay off loans, and to pay suppliers.  In total, Mulder knowingly and intentionally defrauded 23 customers out of more than $880,000.

    On February 19, 2020, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a seven-count indictment charging Mulder with wire and mail fraud. He pleaded guilty to all counts on April 3, 2024.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and Bend Police Department. It was prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Announces District Election Officers

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

    United States Attorney Susan T. Lehr announced today that Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) Christopher Ferretti and Shereece Dendy-Sanders will lead the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election.  AUSAs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders have been appointed to serve as the District Election Officers (DEOs) for the District of Nebraska, and in that capacity are responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

               United States Attorney Lehr said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

               The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). 

               United States Attorney Lehr stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSAs/DEOs Ferretti and Dendy-Sanders will be on duty in this District while the polls are open.  They can be reached by the public at (402) 661-3700.”

               In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day.  The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at (402) 493-8688.

               Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

               United States Attorney Lehr said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate.  It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

               Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities.  State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, and USMS Target Drug Trafficking Operation Linked to Federal Correctional Facility

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

    ALBUQUERQUE – This week, the FBI Violent Gangs Task Force and U.S. Marshals Service conducted a coordinated operation to dismantle a significant drug trafficking network linked to the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, NM, with the support of the New Mexico State Police. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into an intergang conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated gang members.

    On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, search warrants were executed at 13 identified premises across New Mexico, believed to contain evidence related to multiple federal offenses. The following individuals are among those targeted in this operation:

    • Nora Baca – 417 Monte Alto Place NE, Albuquerque, NM
    • Estrella Gonzalez – 1812 Del Norte Drive SW, Albuquerque, NM
    • Angelo Garcia – 4903 Rincon Road NW, Albuquerque, NM
    • Monalisa Vargas – 1333 Columbia Dr. SE, Apt #95, Albuquerque, NM
    • Theresa Atencio – 9748 Summer Shower Place NW, Albuquerque, NM
    • Johnny Valiterra (aka “Chopper”) – 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
    • Richard Porras (aka “Deuce”) – 2331 Menaul Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM
    • Sonia Trinidad – 401 Dunes Court, Apt D, Albuquerque, NM
    • Desiree Benavidez – 3 Jose P Sanchez Road, Los Lunas, NM
    • Ana Romero – 200 E. Jefferson Avenue, Gallup, NM
    • Adolfo Montano – 18 Arroyoito Loop, Seboyeta, NM
    • Kimberly Perry and Kelly Perry – 8 Red Mesa Housing, Crownpoint, NM
    • Monique Gallegos and David Hicks – 7 Hughes Blvd, Grants, NM

    In addition to the operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced indictments against several individuals connected to the drug trafficking at Cibola County Correctional Center. Two current inmates, Lupe Vargas, 40, and Edward Vallez, 44, along with two co-conspirators, Monalisa Vargas, 38 (Lupe’s wife), and Michael Garcia, 46, have been charged with conspiracy and attempting to provide or obtain prohibited objects in a correctional facility. Additionally, a superseding indictment has been filed against Nora Baca, charging her with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    Nora Baca, Monalisa Vargas and David Hicks were arrested during the operation. If convicted, Baca faces between 15 years and life in prison and Vargas faces up to 20 years in prison. Michael Garcia remains a fugitive at this time.

    As a result of the operation, 15 firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, methamphetamine, suboxone strips, $6,000 in cash, and 23 cell phones were seized, and six individuals were arrested and charged by federal or state authorities:

    • Angelo Garcia was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. If convicted of the current charges, Garcia faces no less than 10 years and up to 45 years in prison.
    • Theresa Atencio was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with providing contraband to a prisoner. If convicted of the current charges, Atencio faces up to one year in jail.

    At Benavidez’s residence in Los Lunas, three armed felons were located and arrested:

    • Raymond Lucero was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Lucero faces up to 15 years in prison.
    • Jacob Gonzales, aka “Trigger,” was arrested on federal criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition. If convicted of the current charges, Gonzales faces up to 15 years in prison.
    • Nadine Gonzales was arrested on state criminal complaint and charged with being a felon in possession or a firearm and ammunition.

    Jacob Gonzales recently was released from prison after completing a 22-year on a state sentence for felony convictions related to a murder.

    In addition, Emmanleen Chavez was arrested at the residence in Grants on a state warrant for attempted murder.

    The operation and ongoing investigation are intended to dismantle the criminal enterprises operating within and outside the correctional facility, which have been implicated in the distribution of controlled substances and other illegal activities.

    “The Department of Justice protects the safety and dignity of all, including those in federal custody,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez. “Those who seek to profit from the addiction and vulnerability of detainees not only violate the law but perpetuate a cycle of harm that extends beyond the walls of the jail. That is why we are taking a comprehensive approach—leveraging technology to interdict contraband before it enters the facility, enforcing federal criminal laws against detainees and those who support them on the outside, relying on the cooperation of people motivated to do the right thing, and treating opioid use disorder with medical care for federal detainees while in custody. The Department of Justice will not tolerate the exploitation of addiction for profit in our correctional facilities.”

    “This week’s operation demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to continue to dismantle criminal enterprises operating in New Mexico,” said Philip Russell, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “The FBI, along with our federal, state, local and tribal partners are determined to bring drug traffickers to justice for crimes committed and damage done to our communities.”

    “The U.S. Marshals Service is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for prisoners that are under our care,” said U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico David O. Barnett, Jr. “The execution of this joint operation is a testament to the unwavering dedication by our Federal, State, and Local partners to combat crime and improve the lives of our New Mexico communities.”

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and David Barnett, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico, made the announcement today.

    The FBI Albuquerque Division Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) and United States Marshals Service jointly investigated this case with assistance from the CoreCivic Intelligence Unit and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and David Hirsch are prosecuting these cases.

    The VGTF is an FBI led task force comprising of agents and officers from the New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department.

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

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: PEI RCMP Headquarters  — RCMP analyze fatal crashes and find 3 leading contributors

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    November 4, 2024, RCMP HQ -PEI RCMP recently conducted an analysis of the leading contributing factor of fatal collisions on PEI in RCMP Jurisdiction. Between January 1st 2019 and October 31st, 2024 there have been 68 fatal collisions resulting in 80 lives lost.

    The leading contributing factors of the PEI fatal collision are:

    1. Not wearing a seatbelt (35% of fatal collisions)
    2. Impaired driving (34% of fatal collisions)
    3. Speed (26% of fatal collisions)

    Note that these are cases when causation could be determined. It is possible that the actual percentages could be higher.

    Impaired driving is attributed to 23 of the 80 lives lost.

    The PEI RCMP work closely with the PEI Justice and Public Safety who have recognized that impaired driving, speeding and lack of seatbelt use has continued to be a problem on the Island. In the last 4 years, Justice and Public Safety has funded 4 additional Traffic Services positions for the RCMP, bringing our team up to 6 Traffic officers.

    RCMP stopped 16 impaired drivers in October; this includes impaired drivers by alcohol (9), drug (5), and those who refuse a police test demand (2). Note that many of these cases are awaiting blood sample results prior to charges being laid. The total arrests by RCMP so far in 2024 now stands at 212, last year RCMP in PEI made over 230 impaired driving arrests.

    “Recent data on fatal collisions in PEI underscores the reality that many of these fatalities are preventable. This report highlights the importance of slowing down, reporting impaired drivers and wearing your seatbelt. Through education and enforcement, we hope to reduce these tragedies,” says Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Commanding Officer of the Prince Edward Island RCMP.

    Note to Media:

    • The RCMP Report on Road Fatalities is available upon request.
    • There has been one additional road fatality since this report was authored.
    • All data is for PEI RCMP Jurisdiction ONLY.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Winston County Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Possessing Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

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

    GREENVILLE, Miss. – Dennis Vernandale Phillips, 42, was sentenced today to over 15 years in prison for his possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute the controlled substance.

    The investigation began when law enforcement purchased over 30 grams of methamphetamine from Phillips using a confidential informant. During a subsequent search of Phillips’ residence in Preston, Mississippi, officers located methamphetamine, two firearms, and other narcotics. In total, Phillips’ conduct involved over a kilogram of methamphetamine that impacted the Choctaw Indian Reservation in Winston, Kemper, and Neshoba counties.

    On October 30, Chief U.S. District Court Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Phillips to 188 months imprisonment followed by a 48-month term of supervised release for possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

    “Meth indiscriminately kills children, men and women and it ravages our communities, including the Choctaw Indian Reservation,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “This prosecution and sentence are the result of outstanding cooperation between our federal law enforcement partners and the tribal police to achieve a straightforward goal – to reduce the supply of illicit drugs while seeing to it that those who poison communities with narcotics are held to account.”

    Phillips’ drug distribution was a threat to the community,” said Whitney Woodruff, Regional Agent in Charge of the Southeast Region for the Division of Drug Enforcement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. “He was poisoning Indian Country for his personal gain and now he will pay the price.  I am proud of our partnerships with the other law enforcement agencies involved.” 

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case in partnership with the Choctaw Police Criminal Investigations Division, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Howell Addison prosecuted the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Prioritizes Election Security in Preparation for November 5 Voting

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

    In keeping with our standard Election Day protocol, the FBI in Tennessee will have an Election Command Post in preparation for the November 5 election. The command post will be staffed 24 hours a day to provide a centralized location for assessing election-related threats in our area of responsibility. The FBI has a duty to plan for a host of potential scenarios related to election fraud, voter suppression, foreign malign influence, malicious cyber activity against election infrastructure, and threats to election workers. We are committed to protecting the American public’s right to a fair and safe election.

    For decades, the FBI has served as the primary agency responsible for investigating allegations of federal election crimes, including campaign finance violations, ballot/voter fraud, and civil rights violations. In close partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI established the Election Threats Task Force to identify and address reported threats targeting election workers.

    The FBI takes our responsibility very seriously and works closely with our federal, state, and local partners to identify and stop any potential threats to public safety. We gather and analyze intelligence to determine whether individuals might be motivated to take violent action for any reason, including due to concerns about the election.

    It is vital the FBI, our law enforcement partners, and the public work together to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. The FBI takes all threats of violence seriously, including threats targeting those who do the critical work of administering free and fair elections throughout the U.S.

    The Justice Department has long recognized that the states—not the federal government—are responsible for administering elections, determining the validity of votes, and tabulating the results, with challenges handled by the appropriate election administrators, officials, legislatures, and courts. The Department’s role is limited to investigating and prosecuting violations of federal election laws and deterring criminal conduct.

    The FBI in Tennessee encourages citizens to report allegations of election fraud and other election abuses directly at 615-232-7500.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Harbour Grace — RCMP Traffic Services East arrests prohibited driver for impaired operation in Carbonear

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 58-year-old man, who has a lifetime driving prohibition, was arrested by RCMP Traffic Services East for impaired driving on November 1, 2024, in Carbonear.

    Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Friday, police attempted to stop a vehicle on Adelaide Street. The driver fled from police and was located a short time later after he got his vehicle stuck in a field on Mahaney’s Lane.

    The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested. At the detachment, he refused to provide breath samples.

    He will appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of prohibited driving, impaired operation and refusing a breath demand. The driver was also ticketed for having no registration or insurance. The vehicle was seized and impounded.

    RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Lower Sackville — RCMP charge a man involved in home invasion

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged a man involved in a home invasion that occurred in Lower Sackville.

    On November 3, at approximately 5:45 p.m., RCMP officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence on Balsam Circle.

    Investigators learned that a man armed with a knife had gained entry into the home through the front door and proceeded to assault a male resident located in a bedroom. The victim, a 73-year-old Lower Sackville man, suffered serious injuries and was transported to hospital by EHS.

    No other injuries were reported by the three other adult occupants of the home.

    At the scene, RCMP officers located and safely arrested an 18-year-old man involved in the incident.

    The two men are known to one another and investigators believe the incident was targeted in nature.

    Devon Rafuse, of Halifax, has been charged with Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Breaking and Entering with Intent and Aggravated Assault. He was held in custody and will appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court today.

    File #: 24-151248

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Bellair Man Indicted For Covid Loan Fraud Using Deceased Former Business Partner’s Identity

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Stephen L. Gurba (68, Belleair) with wire fraud, making a false statement to a financial institution, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, Gurba faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud (2 counts), 30 years in prison on the false statement count, and a 2-year mandatory term of imprisonment on the aggravated identity theft counts (2 counts). The indictment also notifies Gurba that the United States intends to forfeit approximately $1.2 million, which is alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offenses.

    According to court documents, between March and June 2020, Gurba submitted false and fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications and supporting documentation on behalf of Big Red Express Trucking, LLC and Zenith Express, LLC. To obtain approval and funding for the Big Red and Zenith EIDL loans, Gurba fraudulently assumed the identity of his former business partner who passed away in 2019, listed his former business partner’s name, signature, and other means of identification on the EIDL loan applications certifying under criminal penalty that the applications were true and correct. Gurba also used his deceased business partner’s name and forged his signature on the EIDL loan authorization agreements and loan notes he submitted to the Small Business Administration (SBA). During post-loan related communications with the SBA, Gurba continued to impersonate his deceased business partner. As a result of his fraudulent scheme, Gurba induced the SBA to approve and fund the Big Red and Zenith EIDL loans.

    Additionally, Gurba applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan on behalf a Big Red from an SBA authorized financial institution. Gurba certified and signed under criminal penalty that all the PPP loan proceeds would be spent on payroll, mortgages, rent, or other SBA authorized expenses. In reality, Gurba used the majority of the PPP proceeds to enrich himself, family members, payoff unrelated business debts, and other impermissible expenses. As a result of Gurba’s false statement, the financial institution approved and funded a $955,448.75 PPP loan to Big Red.

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

    This case was investigated by the Federal Housing Finance Agency – Office of Inspector General and the Small Business Association – Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Chris Poor.

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

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mason City Woman Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Being a Drug User in Possession of Firearms

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

    A drug user who possessed firearms was sentenced November 1, 2024, to 37 months in federal prison.

    Brittany Graham, age 37, of Mason City, Iowa, received the sentence after a June 3, 2024, guilty plea to one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms.  At the plea hearing, Graham admitted that, in August 2022, she possessed four handguns while she was an unlawful user of marijuana.  The evidence at sentencing showed that Graham had possessed seven handguns since 2018.  Other prohibited persons later possessed some of these guns, including a .357 magnum revolver that was seized from a felon in Chicago less than seven months after Graham purchased it.

    Graham was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Graham was sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment.  She must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.   

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mason City Police Department, the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

    Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is CR 23-3014.

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