NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southend — Waskesiu RCMP seeking public assistance to locate missing female

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Waskesiu Detachment is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 63-year-old Margaret (also goes by Harder) Sinclair from Southend, Saskatchewan. She was reported missing on October 29 around 9:00 p.m.

    Margaret/Harder was a passenger in a vehicle and got out on Highway #2 near Weyakwin this evening – we don’t have a specific location. It is unknown if she caught a ride with anyone.

    RCMP are concerned for her well-being, especially given the cold temperatures.

    Margaret/Harder is described as: 170 pounds, 5’1″ tall, brown and grey coloured hair, wearing a black jacket. She was not dressed for the weather. She had a walker with her, which she requires for mobility.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Margaret/Harder is asked to contact their nearest police service or Waskesiu RCMP at 310-RCMP or 911.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Central Command Conducts Airstrikes Against Several ISIS Camps in Syria

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Oct. 30, 2024
    Release Number 20241030-01
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command forces conducted a series of strikes against several known ISIS camps in Syria, in the early evening of Oct 28, resulting in up to 35 ISIS operatives killed.

    The strikes targeted multiple ISIS locations in the Syrian desert, targeting multiple ISIS senior leaders.  

    There are no indications of civilian casualties.

    The airstrikes will disrupt the ability of ISIS to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against civilians, as well as U.S., allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond. CENTCOM, alongside allies and partners in the region, will continue to aggressively degrade ISIS operational capabilities to ensure its enduring defeat.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: OIP Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Awards

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    The Department of Justice, Office of Information Policy (OIP) is pleased to announce that nominations are open for the 2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Awards, recognizing the contributions of FOIA professionals from around the government.  Each year, the number of nominations submitted to OIP to recognize the exceptional achievements of federal FOIA employees grows.  As such, OIP is opening the nomination window earlier this year than in previous years to allow more time for review of submissions.

    As the Attorney General recognized in his FOIA Guidelines issued in March 2022, “[t]he federal government could not process the hundreds of thousands of FOIA requests that are received every year without its dedicated FOIA professionals.”  Agency FOIA professionals are at the center of ensuring successful FOIA administration and we look forward to celebrating the work of these individuals from around the government.  For this year’s event, OIP is seeking nominations for five categories of awards:

    • Exceptional Service by a FOIA Professional or Team of FOIA Professionals
    • Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee
    • Exceptional Advancements in IT to Improve the Agency’s FOIA Administration
    • Exceptional Advancements in Proactive Disclosure of Information
    • Lifetime Service Award

    Nominations can be submitted by agencies or by a member of the public.  All nominations are due to OIP by Friday, December 6th, 2024. 

    Awardees will be recognized during the Department’s 2025 Sunshine Week event on March 17th, 2025.

    Submission Guidelines

    All agency personnel are eligible for the awards listed below. These personnel can include Government Information Specialists, supervisors, FOIA attorneys, FOIA administrative specialists, or other staff at the agency that meet the award category criteria.

    We invite nominations for these awards from agencies as well as members of the public. Agency submissions should be made by the agency’s principal FOIA contact or Chief FOIA Officer.

    Nominations must include:

    • The full name, title, agency (or organization if applicable), and contact information for the person submitting the nomination,
    • The name(s) of the individual(s) they are nominating,
    • The award category that best reflects the nominee(s)’ accomplishments,
    • A summary, not to exceed two single-spaced pages, that describes the nominee’s or group’s accomplishments, why the individual or group should receive the award, what they have done that sets them apart, and how their actions benefited FOIA administration, and
    • A short abstract (100 words or less) that briefly outlines the nominee’s accomplishments.

    Nominations must be submitted to DOJ.OIP.FOIA@usdoj.gov with the subject line “2025 Sunshine Week FOIA Award Nomination” by December 6, 2024.

    Award Categories

    Award for Exceptional Service by a FOIA Professional or Team of FOIA Professionals

    • Recognizing exemplary performance by a FOIA professional or team of FOIA professionals in carrying out the agency’s administration of the FOIA. This award recognizes those individuals or teams whose exceptional contributions have significantly benefited FOIA administration. These benefits could include increased efficiency, greater use of technology, reduced backlogs, improved timeliness, and increased proactive disclosures.

    Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee

    • Recognizing exceptional performance and notable contributions in carrying out the agency’s FOIA responsibilities by a new employee with fewer than three years of work in FOIA.

    Exceptional Advancements in IT to Improve the Agency’s FOIA Administration

    • Recognizing exceptional achievements in making greater use of technology to make information more accessible.  These efforts could include the implementation of new and advanced technologies to increase efficiencies as well as to improve proactive disclosures and the online availability of information.

    Exceptional Advancements in Proactive Disclosure of Information

    • Recognizing exceptional achievements by an agency or team of professionals at the agency to proactively make more information available online.  These efforts can include both the posting of more information online and steps taken to make that information more useful to the public.

    Lifetime Service Award

    • Recognizing an agency FOIA professional with at least 20 years of work in FOIA administration who has demonstrated high standards of excellence and dedication in the administration of the FOIA throughout their career.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: McAlester Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearm Crime

    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 Leslie Ray Upchurch, age 35, of McAlester, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

    The Indictment alleged that on April 28, 2023, Upchurch, having been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, and knowing of such conviction, knowingly possessed one Ruger 9mm Luger caliber semi-automatic pistol and several rounds of assorted 9mm Luger caliber ammunition.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the McAlester Police Department, the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, 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.  Upchurch was remanded into the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending sentencing.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob R. Parker represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Miami Resident Charged with Kidnapping Resulting in Death

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

    MIAMI – Today, Miami resident Gustavo Alfonso Castano Restrepo, 55, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on an indictment charging him with kidnapping resulting in death. 

    According to the unsealed indictment, on or about May 30, 2016, in Miami-Dade County, in the Southern District of Florida, and elsewhere, Restrepo, did willfully and unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy, kidnap, abduct, and carry away and hold a person, that is, Liliana Moreno, for reward and otherwise, and did use a means, facility, and instrumentality of interstate commerce, that is, a cellular telephone, the internet, a motor vehicle, and the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike, in the commission and in furtherance of the offense. The kidnapping resulted in the deaths of Liliana Moreno and Daniella Moreno.

    Restrepo is currently being detained, following today’s hearing in Miami. A pre-trial detention hearing in Miami Magistrate Court is scheduled for Nov. 1.

    If Restrepo is convicted of the charged offense, the mandatory minimum sentence is life in prison and the maximum penalty is death.

    U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri of the FBI, Miami Field Office, Chief Edwin Lopez of the Doral Police Department, and Director Stephanie V. Daniels of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) made the announcement.

    FBI Miami, the Doral Police Department, MDPD, and FBI’s South Florida Violent Crime/Fugitive Task Force are investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwayne Williams is prosecuting the case.

    Anyone with information about this matter or any other federal crime is urged to contact the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or filing a report at tips.fbi.gov.

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

    You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20463

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: St. John’s — Heading out for Halloween? Check out these Spook-tacular safety tips from RCMP NL

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Halloween is a busy time for kids of all ages! Plan for a fun and safe evening by using these safety tips from RCMP NL to help ensure a Happy Halloween.

    Look the part while being visible and safe:

    • Be visible. Wear a light/bright colored costume. Add reflective tape or arm bands to increase visibility.
    • Ensure your costume is made of flame-retardant material.
    • Make sure your costume fits well to avoid ghostly falls or stumbles.
    • Use flashlights and glow sticks; they are great accessories for any costume and can keep kids visible to motorists.

    Be street smart:

    • Parents/guardians should help plan and be aware of the route that their children will travel for trick-or-treating.
    • Children should be able to recognize places where they can get help: police station, fire station or any other well-known public place.
    • Stay on the sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left-hand side of the street facing traffic.
    • Never enter a house. Only accept treats at the front door.

    Take extra care with driving:

    • Slow down and be extra cautious. Expect that trick-or-treaters may forget to look both ways before rushing across the street or a driveway in their search for treats.
    • Watch for people using crosswalks.
    • Do not drive impaired or while distracted.
    • Ensure that your costume does not interfere with the safe operation of your motor vehicle. Costumes should not restrict movement, impede vision or prevent anyone in the vehicle from properly applying their seat belt.

    RCMP NL will be on patrol to watch out for all of the little ghosts and goblins, as well as those driving while impaired or in a manner that puts anyone else at risk. Do your part to ensure this Halloween is enjoyable for all!

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Announce Charges in Domestic Violence and Firearms Case

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

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Red Valley, Arizona man was charged by indictment with kidnapping, assault and federal firearms offenses stemming from a domestic violence incident in Shiprock, New Mexico.

    Curley Nakai Jr., 23, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge and will remain in custody pending trial.

    According to court records, on August 24, 2024, Nakai allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, Jane Doe, in Shiprock, New Mexico. A witness observed Nakai dragging Jane Doe by her shirt and striking her. Nakai then forced Jane Doe into the backseat of a pickup truck. Concerned for Jane Doe’s safety, the witness followed the pickup and attempted to get identifying information. While following, the witness saw Nakai appear to punch Jane Doe in the vehicle.

    The situation escalated when Nakai and Jane Doe arrived at a supermarket parking lot. As police were contacted by the witness, Nakai exited the pickup and pointed a rifle at her while yelling aggressively. At this point, the witness was approximately thirty feet away with her car window down. After driving past the pickup and parking nearby, the witness observed that Jane Doe managed to exit the vehicle and walk awayy.

    If convicted, Nakai faces up to life in prison.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

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

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Davenport Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced today to 17 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

    According to public court documents, in July 2023, Deandre Julian Hensley, 30, possessed a loaded nine-millimeter pistol in his waistband and approximately 7.5 grams of crack cocaine in his pocket when he was arrested for outstanding warrants. The firearm recovered from Hensley was the same firearm that he shot near a downtown Davenport bar earlier in July 2023. Two bystanders were injured in that shooting.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Hensley will be required to serve a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

    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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Iowa City Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Receiving Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography.

    According to public court documents, law enforcement received multiple CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Cody Andrew Long, 23, had uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement searched Long’s cell phone and a computer located at Long’s Iowa City residence which revealed approximately 100 images and 25 videos of child sexual abuse material.

    After completing his term of imprisonment, Long will be required to serve an eight-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Long was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. In addition, Long will be required to register as a sex offender.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department and the Johnson County Joint Forensic Analysis Cyber Team.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Father and Son from New Jersey Arrested for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

            WASHINGTON — Two men from New Jersey have been arrested on various felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from their alleged conduct during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. Their alleged 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.

            Richard Andrews, 72, of Brick, New Jersey, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. In addition to the felonies, Richard Andrews is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a capitol building.

            Also charged is Keith Andrews, 49, of Howell, New Jersey. Keith Andrews is charged with misdemeanor offenses of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in any of the Capitol buildings.

            The FBI arrested the two men on Oct. 29, 2024, in New Jersey, and they will make their initial appearance in the District of New Jersey.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Richard and Keith Andrews attended the “Stop the Steal” rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., before proceeding to the restricted Capitol grounds. Richard Andrews wore a black zip-up jacket, blue tee, and gray knit skull cap, while Keith Andrews was dressed in a dark gray hoodie, black tee with white lettering, jeans, dark sneakers, and a camouflage “Trump 2020” hat. Keith also carried a camouflage backpack.

            Upon arriving at the Capitol, the two men ascended the north scaffolding to reach the Upper West Terrace. At approximately 2:49 p.m., it is alleged that Keith Andrews entered the Capitol through a window near the Senate Wing Door as Capitol Police struggled to hold back the crowd. Keith then momentarily exited, encouraging others to enter, and reentered minutes later. While inside, Keith stayed in the Senate Wing hallway for ten minutes, encouraging additional rioters to come in before leaving the building himself temporarily.

            Keith Andrews then reentered the Capitol at about 3:01 p.m., making his way to the Crypt while using his phone. He allegedly remained inside for approximately twelve minutes before exiting at 3:13 p.m. Shortly after, police efforts to secure the Senate Wing intensified, including by closing the shutters on the window Keith had used to enter the building.

            Later, at about 3:16 p.m., it is alleged that Richard Andrews threw a chair through the closed shutters, reopening them and striking an officer in the process.

            Minutes later, Keith allegedly reentered the Capitol a third time, engaging in a brief dispute with officers trying to clear the building before exiting by 3:20 p.m. Later that afternoon, as officers tried to remove rioters from the Upper West Terrace, Richard Andrews shoved a police officer on the head. In response, officers deployed a chemical agent, causing Richard to retreat into the crowd.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Newark and Washington Field Offices. Richard Andrews was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) # 446 on the FBI’s seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States 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.

            A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Florida Company Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Sell Misbranded N95 Masks to Hospital in Early Months of COVID-19 Pandemic

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Two individuals also pleaded guilty to misbranding N95 masks and conspiracy to commit price gouging

    BOSTON – A Florida company, and two individuals associated with the company, have pleaded guilty to charges associated with shipping facemasks that were misbranded as N95 respirators, and price gouging hospitals, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

    JDM Supply LLC (JDM) pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded devices into interstate commerce with intent to defraud or mislead, in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Daniel Motha, 40, of Miami, Fla., and Jeffrey Motha, 36, of Norfolk, Mass., also pleaded guilty to one count of introduction of misbranded devices into interstate commerce and one count of conspiracy to commit price gouging in violation of the Defense Production Act. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Daniel Motha and Jeffrey Motha on March 4, 2025 and JDM on March 25, 2025. In August 2023, a third individual, Jason Colantuoni of Norfolk, Mass, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit price gouging in connection with this investigation.  

    In the spring of 2020, during the earliest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, JDM and a company identified as “Company 1” conspired to ship facemasks that were misbranded as National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved, N95 respirators. One hospital accepted and paid for hundreds of thousands of purported N95 masks that were manufactured by Company 1 and sold by JDM. Ultimately, the hospital did not use the masks, which were eventually returned to Company 1. JDM misled the hospital into believing that the Company 1 masks were NIOSH-approved N95s, when in fact they were not.

    In August 2020, a NIOSH lab tested a sample of the Company 1 masks that had been shipped to the hospital. The masks tested between 83.94% and 93.24% filtration efficiency, thus falling below the 95% minimum level of filtration efficiency required for N95 respirators.  

    Daniel Motha and Jeff Motha conspired to use JDM to exploit and profit off of the critical need of hospitals and healthcare workers for scarce N95 masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. They accumulated N95 masks from various sources and then sold the N95 masks through JDM to hospitals in Massachusetts, and elsewhere, at prices in excess of the prevailing market price.

    The charge of conspiracy to introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device with intent to defraud or mislead, brought against JDM, provides for a fine of $500,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, whichever is greater and up to five years of probation. The charge of introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce a misbranded device provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of $100,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit price gouging in violation of the Defense Production Act provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison; up to one year of supervised release; and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Fernando McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bill Brady and Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

    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 https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.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 Hotline via the NCDF Web Complaint Form.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Burlington Man Charged with Enticing Minors to Produce Child Sexual Abuse Materials

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Jason McGrath, 44, of South Burlington, Vermont has been charged by criminal complaint with enticing minors to produce child sexual abuse material.

    On October 29, 2024, McGrath appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that McGrath be detained pending a detention hearing on Friday, November 1, 2024.

    According to court records, between March 25, 2023 and September 26, 2024, McGrath used an on-line chat application to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce minors to produce child pornography, now referred to as child sexual abuse material. McGrath explicitly sought young girls via the on-line application, requested others to sexually abuse them, and sought video and visual depictions of the abuse. McGrath also is alleged to have paid money in exchange for child sexual abuse materials, including by sending funds through an online payment system to a country in Southeast Asia known to law enforcement as a location where child-sex-trafficking networks operate.

    On the afternoon of October 28, 2024, McGrath was detained by Customs and Border Protection while reentering the United States from Canada. While McGrath was detained, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his South Burlington residence. During the search warrant execution, law enforcement located a substantial amount of computing equipment, including a high-performance gaming computer, an enterprise-level server rack (including a router, network switch, and network area storage), and other equipment that collectively is capable of storing and processing large amounts of data. Review of this equipment by law enforcement is ongoing.

    The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that McGrath is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. McGrath faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and up to life imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

    United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and thanked U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Chittenden County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.

    The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. McGrath is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.

    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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Releases Information on Efforts to Protect the Right to Vote, Prosecute Election Fraud, and Secure Elections

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Consistent with longstanding Justice Department practices and procedures, the department today is providing information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, National Security Division (NSD), and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of discrimination, intimidation, or criminal activity in the election process, and to ensure that our elections are secure and free from foreign malign influence and interference.

    Civil Rights Division

    The department’s Civil Rights Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with the civil provisions of federal statutes that protect the right to vote and with the criminal provisions of federal statutes prohibiting discriminatory interference with that right. This work is often performed in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.

    The Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section enforces the civil provisions of a wide range of federal statutes that protect the right to vote including: the Voting Rights Act; National Voter Registration Act; Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act; Help America Vote Act; and Civil Rights Acts. Among other things, collectively, these laws:

    • Prohibit election practices that have either a discriminatory purpose or a discriminatory result on account of race, color, or language minority status;
    • Prohibit intimidation of voters;
    • Allow voters who need assistance in voting because of disability or inability to read or write to receive assistance from a person of their choice (other than agents of their employer or union);
    • Require minority language election materials and assistance in certain jurisdictions;
    • Require accessible voting systems for voters with disabilities;
    • Require that provisional ballots be offered to voters who assert they are registered and eligible to vote in the jurisdiction, but whose names do not appear on poll books;
    • Require states to provide for absentee voting for uniformed service members serving away from home, their family members also away from home due to that service, and U.S. citizens living abroad; and
    • Require covered states to offer the opportunity to register to vote through offices that provide driver licenses, public assistance, and disability services, as well as through the mail, and to take steps regarding maintaining voter registration lists.

    The Civil Rights Division’s Disability Rights Section enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination in voting based on disability. The ADA applies to all aspects of voting, including voter registration, selection and accessibility of voting facilities, and the casting of ballots on Election Day or during early voting, whether in-person or absentee.

    The Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section enforces federal criminal statutes that prohibit voter intimidation and voter interference based on race, color, national origin, or religion.

    • Throughout the election cycle, Civil Rights Division attorneys in the Voting, Disability Rights, and Criminal Sections in Washington, D.C., will be ready to receive complaints of potential violations of any of the statutes the Civil Rights Division enforces. The Civil Rights Division will work closely with counterparts at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and other department components to review and take appropriate action concerning these complaints.
    • Individuals with complaints related to possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can call the Justice Department’s toll-free telephone line at 800-253-3931, and can also submit complaints at www.civilrights.justice.gov.
    • Individuals with questions or complaints related to the ADA may call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 833-610-1264 (TTY) or submit a complaint through a link on the department’s ADA website at www.ada.gov.

    Complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911. They should also be reported to the department after local authorities are contacted.

    Criminal Division and the Department’s 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices

    The department’s Criminal Division oversees the enforcement of federal laws that criminalize certain forms of election fraud and vindicate the integrity of the federal election process.

    The Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are responsible for enforcing the federal criminal laws that prohibit various forms of election crimes, such as destruction of ballots, vote-buying, multiple voting, submission of fraudulent ballots or registrations, alteration of votes, and malfeasance by postal or election officials and employees. See Justice Manual 9-85.210 (discussing requirements regarding election crime matters); 9-85.300 (discussing approach to ballot fraud); 9-85.400 (discussing application of 18 U.S.C. § 592); 9-85.500 (discussing timing of actions).

    The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are also responsible for enforcing federal criminal law prohibiting unlawful threats of violence against election workers, and prohibiting voter intimidation and voter suppression for reasons other than race, color, national origin, or religion (as noted above, voter intimidation and voter suppression that has a basis in race, color, national origin, or religion is addressed by the Civil Rights Division often in partnership with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices).

    U.S. Attorneys’ Offices around the country designate Assistant U.S. Attorneys who serve as District Election Officers (DEOs) in their respective districts. DEOs are responsible for overseeing potential election-crime matters in their districts, and for coordinating with the department’s election-crime experts in Washington, D.C.

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices work with specially trained FBI personnel in each district to ensure that complaints from the public involving possible election crimes are handled appropriately. Specifically:

    • In consultation with federal prosecutors at the Public Integrity Section in Washington, D.C., the DEOs in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, FBI officials at headquarters in Washington, D.C., and FBI special agents serving as Election Crime Coordinators in the FBI’s 56 field offices will be on duty while polls are open to receive complaints from the public.
    • Election-crime complaints should be directed to the local U.S. Attorney’s Office or the local FBI field office. A list of U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and their telephone numbers can be found at www.justice.gov/usao/districts. A list of FBI field offices and accompanying telephone numbers can be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us.
    • Public Integrity Section prosecutors are available to consult and coordinate with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the FBI regarding the handling of election-crime allegations.

    All complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should be reported first to local police authorities by calling 911. After alerting local law enforcement to such emergencies by calling 911, the public should contact the Justice Department.

    National Security Division

    The department’s National Security Division (NSD) supervises the investigation and prosecution of cases affecting or relating to national security, including any cases involving foreign malign influence and interference in elections or violent extremist threats to elections. In this context:

    • NSD oversees matters involving a range of malign influence activities that foreign governments may attempt.
    • NSD’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section oversees matters involving covert information operations (e.g., to promulgate disinformation through social media); covert efforts to support or denigrate political candidates or organizations; and other covert influence operations that might violate various criminal statutes.
    • NSD’s National Security Cyber Section oversees such matters when they are cyber-enabled (i.e., when online platforms, such as social media and other online services, are central to the commission of the offense), as well as those involving computer hacking of election or campaign infrastructure.
    • NSD’s Counterterrorism Section oversees matters involving international and domestic terrorism and supports law enforcement in preventing any acts of terrorism that impact Americans, including any violent extremism that might threaten election security.

    As in past elections, the National Security Division will work closely with counterparts at the FBI and our U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to protect our nation’s elections from any national security threats. Attorneys from National Security Division sections will be partnered with FBI Headquarters components to provide support to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI field offices to counter any such threats. The Department of Homeland Security also plays its own important role in safeguarding critical election infrastructure from cyber and other threats.

    Complaints related to violence, threats of violence, or intimidation at a polling place should always be reported immediately to local authorities by calling 911 and, after local authorities are contacted, then should be reported also to the department.

    Protecting the right to vote, prosecuting election crimes, and securing our elections are all essential to maintaining the confidence of all Americans in our democratic system of government. The department encourages anyone with information regarding concerns in these subject areas to contact the appropriate authorities.

    For more information about the department’s work to ensure compliance with federal civil and criminal laws related to voting, please visit www.justice.gov/voting and www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-pin/election-crimes-branch.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Louisville Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking Resulting in Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Louisville, KY – This week, a Louisville, Kentucky, man pleaded guilty to carjacking which resulted in the death of teenage motorist.  

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Chief Paul Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department, and Shelby County Sheriff Mark Moore made the announcement.

    According to court documents, Michael Dewitt, pleaded guilty to a single count indictment charging him with carjacking resulting in death. According to court records, Dewitt committed a carjacking at gunpoint on March 1, 2021, and stole a 2011 Ford F350 from its owner in Simpsonville, Kentucky. During the immediate flight from the carjacking, and while still in possession of the stolen truck, Dewitt collided with a vehicle on Dixie Highway in Louisville, causing the death of 17-year-old.

    Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2025. The maximum penalty is life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. If the plea agreement in the case is accepted by the court, the defendant will be sentenced to serve 29 years and 4 months in prison.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    This case is being investigated by the FBI Louisville Field Office, the Louisville Metro Police Department, and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Bonar and Mac Shannon are prosecuting this 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.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Happy Valley-Goose Bay — Happy Valley Goose Bay investigates mischief, seeks public’s assistance

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Happy Valley Goose Bay RCMP is seeking assistance from the public following a recent incident that occurred on Mitchell Street in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

    In the early morning hours of October 24, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., a suspect approached a parked vehicle in a residential driveway with a gas can in hand and poured a substance from the gas can into the gas tank of the vehicle.

    See surveillance images attached.

    The investigation is continuing.

    Anyone having information about this crime is asked to contact Happy Valley-Goose Bay RCMP at 709-896-3383 . To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: NSWC PCD hosts NavalX Gulf Coast Tech Bridge Integration Experiment

    Source: United States Navy

    More than 45 participants from four NavalX Gulf Coast Tech Bridge partner commands—Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), the Naval Research Lab (NRL) Stennis, the Naval Meteorological and Oceanography Command (CNMOC), and Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO)—collaborated to demonstrate the acceleration of technology development. This exercise successfully integrated multiple unmanned systems from contracting partners to collect and transmit real-time environmental data to a forward-deployed shore station. The experiment also tested novel data exfiltration methods, demonstrated regional partnering, and leveraged prior Navy and non-Navy development efforts to advance subsea warfare (SSW) mission capabilities.

    “This experiment was important because it demonstrated a process for rapidly moving from focusing on the warfighter need, sourcing technologies and industry partners, understanding lessons learned from the fleet from using relevant systems, understanding how to accelerate capabilities, and then executing an experiment to demonstrate the sourced capabilities,” said Holly Gardner, NSWC PCD director of Strategic Engagement and NavalX Gulf Coast Tech Bridge director. “It highlights our command’s capabilities and expertise as leaders not only in unmanned systems, but also in systems engineering, integration and test and evaluation. It also highlights NSWC PCD’s role as the lead command in the NavalX Gulf Coast Tech Bridge.”

    This exercise illustrated a process for rapidly moving from focusing on warfighters’ needs, to sourcing technologies, and executing successful experiments to demonstrate emerging capabilities. The initial integration testing was completed on schedule, followed by at-sea testing, real-time data collection and processing.

    “As a project lead in developing systems, I really appreciate events that focus on integration and forward progress versus ‘demos’ that show the same capabilities over and over,” said Erica Davis, NSWC PCD Skylla Project lead. “This event allowed for development and integration of the systems with the people who support them at other commands. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we worked directly with the teams who are experts in their systems and we all gained a lot of knowledge in other systems and came away with creative ideas how we could integrate in the future.”

    This effort was the culmination of nearly a year’s worth of planning that began with an initial workshop focused on developing a collaborative vision for the Gulf of Mexico ranges and selecting capabilities that address undersea warfare mission needs. The experiment included at-sea testing, the collection, fusing and display of data collected from those systems in real-time at a forward-deployed shore station, and transmission of the data to NAVO for further analysis. The experiment is a precursor to CNMOC’s Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) 2025 event series, which consists of technical vignettes occurring throughout FY24 & 25 and ends with a culminating event which will be held in conjunction with the Marine Technology Society’s (MTS) Gulf Coast Oceans-In-Action Workshop in April 2025.

    It also included four Navy STEM students from programs like SSEP (STEM Student Employment Program), Pathways, and NREIP (Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program) who participated in a real-life, mission scenario experiment. They provided at-sea support and gained exposure to cutting-edge concept of operations, demonstrating the Navy’s commitment to fostering future STEM leaders.

    “The demonstration team’s success is the result of planning, passion, commitment and a lot of hard work dedicated to delivering capabilities to the fleet,” said CNMOC Commander Rear Adm. Ron Piret. “Over the past year, our ANTX 2025 team, which is comprised of industry, academia and Navy partners, has focused on proving and integrating technologies through a series of test cases in preparation for the OCEANS In Action 2025 culminating event. The results have been inspiring, and by gauging the team’s enthusiasm – innovation can be great fun.”

    The geographical location of NSWC PCD demonstrates the value of the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range, the largest military test and training range in the continental United States, a national asset. The experiment took place in the Panama City Operations Area’s Surface and Subsurface Range and also highlights the multi-domain SSW operations, which play a critical role in its recent organizational re-alignment to support the U.S. Navy.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Samson Cree Nation — Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit investigate homicide in Maskwacis – Update

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Jan. 28, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., Maskwacis RCMP was called to assist EMS with a 25-year-old male. The male was transported to the hospital where he was declared deceased. The circumstances of the victim’s death were considered suspicious.

    RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) took carriage of the investigation, and the autopsy determined that the manner of death was a homicide.

    On Sept. 28, 2024, RCMP MCU arrested a 24-year-old individual and a 25-year-old individual, both residents of Maskwacis, Alta. The 24-year-old individual has been charged with second-degree murder.

    After a judicial interim release Hearing, the 24-year-old individual was remanded to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on Oct. 3, 2024.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Edmonton — Alberta RCMP coordinate with communities to curtail copper wire crooks

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Alberta RCMP is launching a community initiative in response to concerns about ongoing copper wire theft in eastern Alberta.

    To reduce the amount of theft, the RCMP’s Eastern and Central District’s Crime Reduction Units, along with K Division Criminal Analysis Section (K/DCAS), and Community Safety and Well-being Branch will be working with industry partners to determine areas that are being targeted and develop strategies to investigate, identify and ultimately arrest the individuals who are causing the most harm related to copper wire and precious metal thefts.

    Precious metals like copper are used in a variety of projects ranging from large scale industrial sites like power plants, cellphone towers and pipelines to smaller uses like the wiring in homes.

    Copper wire and other precious metals can be difficult to track making them ideal targets for criminals to steal. The theft of copper wire can have a large impact on the public; whether it’s having spare wire stolen from your personal property or damage caused to vital infrastructure across the province.

    Last year, in Alberta losses from copper wire theft including damages to property was in excess of 10 million dollars. There are a variety of things that the public and companies can do to help reduce the likelihood of copper wire theft in your communities:

    • Consider installing an alarm system with remote monitoring of surveillance cameras.
    • Ensure each entrance and exit of your commercial property has proper lighting and surveillance cameras clearly visible to deter criminal activity.
    • Arrange to have your precious metals laser engraved, so they can be easier identified and returned if recovered.
    • For metal purchasers, be cautious about purchasing material from unknown or suspicious sellers.
    • Always secure your valuables in a secure area.
    • Invest in fencing for extra protection and ensure it’s well-maintained
    • Always report suspicious persons you see at work sites, or on your property.

    “The reality of the situation is because copper wire is so common and can be almost impossible to identify if it isn’t laser engraved, catching and charging copper wire thieves can be very difficult,” said Staff Sergeant John Pike District Advisory non-commissioned officer of the RCMP Eastern Alberta District. “There are thousands of sites using copper wire, and we can’t be at all of them. That’s why it’s so important for everyone do their part whether it is securing your property, reporting suspicious activity or questioning sellers.”

    If you have any information about crimes in your community, please call your local RCMP detachment. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: John D’or Prairie — Alberta RCMP Community Response Team arrest four individuals

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Oct. 1, 2024, the Alberta RCMP Community Response Team engaged in a proactive traffic stop in John D’or Prairie with a vehicle that had been suspected of being involved in a recent occurrence in the community. During the police interaction with the occupants of the vehicle, the driver drove into two police cars and attempted to evade police. A pursuit was initiated and the suspect vehicle became disabled in a field south of John D’or Prairie, where five suspects fled on foot.

    A sixth occupant was located in the vehicle and was identified and determined to have been the victim of kidnapping that took place immediately prior to the traffic stop. Four suspects were arrested with assistance from Fort Vermillion and John D’or Prairie RCMP Detachments as well as RCMP regional Police Dog Services. A sawed-off shotgun and a replica handgun were seized during the search for the suspects. One suspect remains at large; his identity is known and a warrant for his arrest is being sought.

    The victim of the kidnapping was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

    A 29-year-old individual, a 21-year-old individual, a 24-year-old individual and a 21-year-old individual, all residents John D’or Prairie, have been charged with the following offences:

    • Kidnapping
    • Forcible confinement
    • Assault causing bodily harm
    • Flight from Police Officer
    • Failure to stop after accident
    • Dangerous Operation of a motor vehicle
    • Using a firearm in the commission of an offence
    • Careless use of a firearm
    • Pointing a firearm
    • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose x2
    • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
    • Possession knowing it is unauthorized
    • Unauthorized possession of firearm in motor vehicle
    • Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
    • Assault police officer with a weapon

    All four suspects were taken before a justice of the peace and were remanded into custody. They are scheduled to appear on Oct. 9, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Fahler, Alta.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Four Time Federal Felon Sentenced to More than 14 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Conviction

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man who fled from law enforcement while possessing methamphetamine was sentenced October 25, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City.

    Chad Hughes, 40, from Sioux City, Iowa, pled guilty on May 31, 2024, to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Hughes was previously convicted of a federal firearms offense in 2005, federal assault in 2010, and two federal escapes in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

    At the plea and sentencing hearings evidence showed that Hughes possessed almost ½ pound of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others in Sioux City.  On June 24, 2023, when law enforcement attempted to stop the motorcycle Hughes was operating, he fled from law enforcement in a high-speed pursuit through cities of Sioux City, Iowa and North Sioux City, South Dakota.  During the pursuit Hughes ditched the motorcycle and a backpack to avoid apprehension.  Law enforcement seized the backpack which contained methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a BB gun, and other items which aided in the ultimate identification of Hughes. 

    Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Hughes was sentenced to 170 months’ imprisonment and must serve a five-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Hughes remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol, North Sioux City, South Dakota, Police Department, and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.    

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

    The case file number is 23-4053.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sioux City Woman to Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Brandy Binneboese, 44, from Sioux City, Iowa was sentenced on October 25, 2024, after pleading guilty on June 7, 2024, in federal court in Sioux City, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  

    Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from January 2021 through June 2023, Binneboese participated in a conspiracy that distributed over 7 pounds of methamphetamine.  Evidence further showed that on three occasions in 2023 Binneboese participated in the distribution of ¼ and ½ pounds of methamphetamine as observed by law enforcement using an individual cooperating with law enforcement.  On June 1, 2023, just after one of the meth transactions was completed, Binneboese was stopped by law enforcement and found with ½ ounce of methamphetamine and $2,500 in pre-serialized buy money that had been used for the drug purchase moments earlier.     

    Sentencing was held before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Binneboese was sentenced to 38 months’ imprisonment and must serve three years of supervised release following the imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Binneboese remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she can be transported to a federal prison. 

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.    

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

    The case file number is 23-4042.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Members of Transnational Money Laundering Organization Plead Guilty to Laundering Millions of Dollars in Drug Proceeds

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A Georgia man pleaded guilty today to his involvement in a conspiracy to launder tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds on behalf of foreign drug trafficking organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (the Jalisco Cartel). Earlier this year, on Aug. 5, a foreign national residing in Illinois pleaded guilty for his role in the same money laundering scheme.

    According to court documents, Li Pei Tan, 46, of Buford, and Chaojie Chen, 41, a Chinese national residing in Chicago, worked for an organization that laundered millions of dollars in proceeds related to the importation of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico, and the unlawful distribution of these drugs. Tan, Chen, and their co-conspirators traveled throughout the United States to collect proceeds derived from trafficking in fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs. They communicated and coordinated with co-conspirators in China and other foreign countries to arrange for the laundering of these proceeds through financial transactions that were designed to conceal the illicit source of the drug proceeds, including through a sophisticated trade-based money laundering scheme involving the purchasing of bulk electronics in the United States and the shipping of these electronics to co-conspirators in China.

    On multiple occasions prior to Chen’s May arrest, law enforcement seized hundreds of thousands of dollars in bulk cash drug proceeds from Chen at locations across the United States. Additionally, Tan was intercepted by law enforcement in South Carolina while attempting to transport over $197,000 in drug proceeds.

    According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)’s National Drug Threat Assessment, the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels are at the heart of the fentanyl crisis in the United States.

    Tan and Chen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of their pleas, Tan and Chen agreed to forfeit numerous assets to the government, including a residence, a firearm, body armor, and more than $270,000 in seized currency. Additionally, they agreed to the imposition of money judgments totaling over $23 million. Chen is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 14 and Tan is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025. Chen and Tan each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia; and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram made the announcement.

    The DEA’s Special Operations Division, Bilateral Investigations Unit is investigating the case, with assistance from the DEA’s Office of Special Intelligence, Document and Media Exploitation Unit; DEA offices in Chicago, Atlanta, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Charleston, South Carolina; and the Anderson County, South Carolina, Sheriff’s Office.

    Trial Attorney Mary K. Daly of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Edgardo J. Rodriguez for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Atlantic County Doctor Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Health Care Fraud Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CAMDEN, N.J. – An Atlantic County, New Jersey, doctor was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in defrauding New Jersey state and local health benefits programs and other insurers by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced.

    Brian Sokalsky, 46, of Margate, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to a superseding information charging him with one count of conspiring to commit health care fraud. U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel imposed the sentence on Oct. 29, 2024, in Camden federal court. 

     Sokalsky, pharmaceutical sales representative Vincent Tornari, 50, of Linwood, New Jersey, and former advanced nurse practitioner Ashley Lyons-Valenti, 67, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, were charged in a 33-count indictment in June 2020. Tornari pleaded guilty on March 14, 2023, and Lyons-Valenti pleaded guilty on Feb. 28, 2023, to their respective roles in the conspiracy. Tornari and Lyons-Valenti are both awaiting sentencing.

    According to court documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    Compounded medications are specialty medications mixed by a pharmacist to meet the specific medical needs of an individual patient. Although compounded drugs are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they are properly prescribed when a physician determines that an FDA-approved medication does not meet the health needs of a particular patient, such as if a patient is allergic to a dye or other ingredient.

    The conspirators learned that certain medications made by compounding pharmacies reimbursed for up to thousands of dollars for an individual’s one-month supply. They learned that certain insurance plans – including insurance plans for state and local government employees and certain other insurance plans – covered these medications.

    Sokalsky agreed to authorize prescriptions for former pharmaceutical sales representative Matthew Tedesco, 49, of Linwood, New Jersey, who pleaded guilty to health care fraud conspiracy in June 2017, and others working with Tedesco. In exchange for authorizing those prescriptions, Tedesco referred approximately 30 patients to Sokalsky’s new medical practice.  Sokalsky, in turn, billed insurance for patient visits for those people steered to his practice by Tedesco. Sokalsky also authorized prescriptions for the medications for existing patients of his practice, which he did to financially benefit Tedesco and encourage him to refer more patients to his new practice. Sokalsky authorized medically unnecessary medications, including libido creams for young females and excessive quantities of the medications with the maximum number of refills selected. When insurance stopped covering certain formulations of the medications, Tedesco informed Sokalsky that he needed to authorize new prescriptions.  Sokalsky did so, often without seeing the individual for a follow-up visit or informing the person of the change in medication. In total, insurance paid more than $5 million for fraudulent prescriptions authorized by Sokalsky.

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Kiel sentenced Sokalsky to three years of supervised release and ordered restitution of $5.13 million.

    Attorney for the United States Khanna credited agents of the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado in Newark; special agents of IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark; and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, New York Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Mellone, with the investigation leading to the sentencing.

    The government is represented by R. David Walk Jr., Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel A. Friedman of the Camden office.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Joint forces remove 1,160 pounds of trash from remote San Nicolas Island beach

    Source: United States Navy

    William “Bill” Hoyer, natural resources manager, NBVC, led the cleanup operations.

    “We collected over 1,160 pounds of marine debris, with the heaviest single object being a metal buoy at 109 pounds,” said Hoyer. “Most debris were plastic, having washed ashore from afar, with some commercial lobster fishing gear and treated timbers also collected.”

    After weeks of postponed cleanups due to weather delays, the event’s morning provided a brief reprieve from heavy marine layer, allowing personnel to safely transit to the island for support.

    “Programs such as this one demonstrate the Navy’s commitment to stewardship of natural resources,” said Capt. Dan “DB” Brown, commanding officer, NBVC. “NBVC has a long tradition of supporting programs that foster community service and protect the environment while also increasing public awareness and understanding of America’s Navy.

    Hoyer agreed.

    “SNI provides and essential breeding habitat for the California sea lion, northern elephant seal and the western snowy plover,” said Hoyer. “This cleanup effort provides essential support for clean and safe environment these animals and others living on the coast need to survive.”

    The Navy transferred control of San Nicolas Island to NBVC Oct. 1, 2004. It’s positioned within the boundary of the Point Mugu Sea Range, the largest instrumented sea range in the world, providing mission essential support to national security as a space for training and weapons testing.

    NBVC is a strategically located Naval installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, three warfare centers and 110 tenants.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Frog Lake — Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit investigate homicide

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On Oct. 1, 2023, at approximately 7:30 a.m., Elk Point RCMP were called to a residence for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, police located one male who had been shot. The male was declared deceased on scene by EMS.

    RCMP Major Crimes Unit (MCU) took carriage of the investigation, and the autopsy determined that the manner of death was a homicide. As a result of their investigation, MCU have arrested one individual in connection to the death of Kevin Buffalo, a 36-year old resident of Frog Lake.

    A 22-year-old individual, a resident of Frog Lake, has been charged with the following offence:

    • Second-degree murder

    The individual was taken before a justice of the peace and was remanded into custody. He appeared in court on Oct. 3, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in St. Paul via CCTV.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: O’Chiese First Nation — Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit investigates homicide on Sunchild First Nation – Update #2

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Alberta RCMP advise that today a 33-year-old individual was located and safely arrested by the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit on O’Chiese First Nation for the Dec. 3, 2023, homicide Sheridan Goodrunning on Sunchild First Nation.

    He will be taken before a justice of the peace to determine his release status and future court date.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gleichen — Alberta RCMP member charged after investigation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    In October of 2023, the Alberta RCMP’s Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section began an investigation into the on-duty conduct of an RCMP member.

    As a result of the investigation, Cst. Anthony Jacobs (40) of the Gleichen RCMP has been charged with:

    • One count of Perjury; and
    • One count of Breach of Trust.

    Jacobs is suspended with pay, and has now been released on an Undertaking. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2024, at the Siksika Nation Court of Justice.

    Jacobs has been with the RCMP for 9 years.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man pleads guilty to multiple child sexual abuse offences following Met investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A 28-year-old man has pleaded guilty to a string of devastating sexual offences against children after being confronted with overwhelming evidence uncovered by the Metropolitan Police.

    Sam Phillips, 28 (07.04.96), of Hillcroome Road, Sutton, appeared at Harrow Crown Court on 30th October, where he admitted to 38 offences committed between December 2023 and February 2024.

    His crimes, which targeted six vulnerable children, including over 20 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, alongside further charges of sexual communication with a child and making indecent images of children

    The Met investigation demonstrated the tireless dedication of the officers involved, whose swift actions and relentless pursuit of justice ensured that Phillips could not continue his reign of abuse. Their work uncovered the extent of his crimes, providing crucial evidence that led to his guilty plea and ensuring that he will face the full weight of the law.

    Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, who leads policing in north-west London where the investigation was undertaken, said:

    “Phillips is a predator of the worst kind, preying on innocent, vulnerable children for his own gratification. The scale of his offending is both appalling and heartbreaking, and no child should ever have to endure the trauma these young victims have suffered.

    “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the children and their families who had the courage to come forward. It is impossible to imagine the pain and fear they have experienced, but their bravery has allowed us to hold this dangerous individual to account.

    “I am pleased Phillips has pleaded guilty, it is a testament to the strength and diligence of the case that Met officers have built. This outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to bringing sexual abusers to justice and ensuring that victims are heard and protected.”

    The investigation began in late January 2024, when officers were contacted with serious concerns regarding the welfare of a child who had potentially been sexually exploited. Met detectives in north-west London immediately launched an investigation.

    Through meticulous investigative work, officers uncovered that two additional children had also been groomed by Phillips. He had manipulated these children online, sending them money in exchange for inappropriate images of themselves. Detectives quickly traced the payments to Phillips’ account, and he was arrested on Monday, 11 March 2024. Initially charged with 11 offences involving three children, further analysis of his phone and financial records revealed more victims, leading to the total of 38 charges which were pleaded guilty to.

    Acting Detective Sergeant Maria Giannakidou, the officer in the case, said:

    “We commend the incredible bravery of the survivors who have come forward. It is through their courage that we are able to bring these deeply serious charges forward. Their strength in sharing their experiences is invaluable in holding those responsible to account, and we are committed to ensuring that victim voices are heard.”

    Supporting Victims

    The Metropolitan Police remains steadfast in its commitment to tackling child sexual exploitation and ensuring that every victim receives the care, justice, and support they deserve. Officers continue to work closely with specialist services to provide comprehensive assistance to the children and families affected by these crimes, ensuring that they are never alone in their recovery.

    Support and assistance can be obtained from a number of agencies and charities:

    • National Association for People Abused in Childhood NAPAC helpline: 0808 801 0331
    • Rape Crisis 08085002222
    • Childline 0800 1111
    • National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 9999
    • Survivors UK 0203 598 3898 info@survivorsuk.org.
    • Samaritans 116 123 jo@samaritans.org

    Crimes of this nature can be reported online or on the telephone or in person to the police by calling 101 however 999 in an emergency.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Dallas Unveils Public Service Announcements in Different Languages to Increase Hate Crime Reporting

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

    DALLAS, TX—The FBI Dallas Division developed a series of videos in five different languages to urge the community to report hates crimes to the FBI. The languages represented in the videos are English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Urdu. The goal is to reach people throughout the Dallas Division’s territory where English is not the first language.

    Hate crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities. The FBI defines a hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or in part by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.

    The FBI is the lead investigative agency for criminal violations of federal civil rights statutes and works closely with local, state, tribal, and other federal law enforcement partners in many of these cases, even when federal charges are not pursued.

    “The FBI is committed to increasing awareness of how to report hate crimes. It is important for the communities we serve to understand this message. This is why we decided to translate our call to action into multiple languages,” said P.J. O’Brien, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Dallas Division. “We want to reassure the public that the FBI will hold people accountable for committing these serious crimes.”

    The FBI protects all victims of crimes, regardless of their country of national origin or immigration status. If you believe you are a victim or a witness of a hate crime, you are encouraged to report it to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting an online tip at tips.fbi.gov. You may remain anonymous, and reports can be made in an individual’s preferred language.

    Hate Crime Video Links

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lloydminster — Lloydminster RCMP advise public of heavy police presence – Update 4

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit continues their investigation into the incident that occurred on Sept.11, 2024, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.

    Police have now positively identified the victims as follows:

    • Brent Peters (66)
    • Matthew Peters (32)
    • Brennan Peters (34)

    We understand the concern this incident has raised within the community. Please be assured that our officers are fully committed to solving this case and bringing those responsible to justice. While the investigation is ongoing, we want to emphasize that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

    If anyone has any information regarding the murders of Brent, Matthew and Brennan Peters, they are asked to contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

    MIL Security OSI –