NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Department of the Navy Launches Initiatives in Support of National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    Source: United States Navy

    In line with this year’s NDEAM theme, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” the DON has developed an array of targeted initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the importance of disability inclusion in the workplace and promoting available opportunities for IWD. The DON’s own theme is “Your Abilities. Our Mission. One Team.”

    “National Disability Employment Awareness Month is an important opportunity for us to celebrate the talents and skills that individuals with disabilities bring to our workforce,” said Robert Hogue, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and DON IWD Champions Council Chair. “Our campaign reflects our commitment to harnessing the individual talent and value of our people, regardless of disability, ensuring equal opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission.”

    This is part the DON’s ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive environment that values the contributions of all individuals, including those with disabilities. Demonstrating this commitment, the DON established an IWD Champions Council, which is a collection of Senior Executive leaders taking actionable steps to target recruitment of IWD and promoting a more accessible work environment with accommodations in place necessary for successful employment.

    For more information on this initiative, please visit https://www.secnav.navy.mil/navalciviliancareers/Pages/Individuals-with-Disabilities.aspx and youtube.com/@NavalCivilianCareers to view more material showcasing the stories and contributions of DON civilian employees with disabilities, highlighting their critical roles in supporting the mission of the Navy and Marine Corps

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Court Permanently Shuts Down Indiana Tax Preparer and Company

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana permanently enjoined an Indianapolis-area tax return preparer and his company yesterday from preparing federal tax returns for others and from owning or operating any tax return preparation businesses in the future.

    According to the civil complaint filed in the case, Juan Santiago resides in Lakeland, Florida, but travels to Indianapolis for tax preparation season to operate his tax preparation business, Madison Solutions LLC. Santiago failed to respond to the civil complaint filed against him, so the court entered the permanent injunction against him by default.

    The civil complaint alleges that Santiago and Madison Solutions used a variety of schemes to improperly reduce their customers’ tax liabilities or to obtain tax refunds to which the customers were not entitled. The complaint alleges that Santiago repeatedly placed false or incorrect items, deductions, exemptions or statuses on customers’ tax returns without their knowledge. For example, the complaint alleges that Santiago routinely elected head of household filing status and child tax credits for customers when they were otherwise not qualified for such status or credits. The complaint also alleges that Santiago reported fictitious businesses on customers’ returns and fabricated business expenses and income to fraudulently reduce taxable income.

    Deputy Assistant Attorney General David A. Hubbert of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    Taxpayers seeking a return preparer should remain vigilant against unscrupulous tax preparers. The IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax return preparer and has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers. The IRS also offers 10 tips to avoid tax season fraud and ways to safeguard their personal information.

    In the past decade, the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of unscrupulous tax preparers. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department’s website. An alphabetical listing of persons enjoined from preparing returns and promoting tax schemes can be found on this page. If you believe that one of the enjoined persons or businesses may be violating an injunction, please contact the Tax Division with details.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Doctor Sentenced for $54M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A Texas doctor was sentenced today to 10 years and one month in prison and ordered to pay over $34 million in restitution for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare by prescribing durable medical equipment and cancer genetic testing without seeing, speaking to, or otherwise treating patients.

    According to court documents, Daniel R. Canchola M.D., 54, of Flower Mound, agreed to electronically sign doctor’s orders for durable medical equipment (DME) and cancer genetic testing that he knew were used to submit false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. From August 2018 through April 2019, Canchola received approximately $30 in exchange for each doctor’s order he signed authorizing DME and cancer genetic test orders that were not legitimately prescribed, not needed, or not used — totaling more than $466,000 in kickbacks. The doctor’s orders Canchola signed were used to submit more than $54 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare. According to court filings, the Medicare beneficiaries for whom Canchola prescribed DME and cancer genetic testing were targeted by telemarketing campaigns and at health fairs, and they were induced to submit to the cancer genetic testing and to receive the DME regardless of medical necessity.

    In October 2022, Canchola pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Dallas Regional Office; and Chief William Marlowe of the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG and MFCU investigated the case.

    Assistant Chief Brynn Schiess and Trial Attorney Ethan Womble of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Over Three Years for Involuntary Manslaughter

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter.

    Devin White Calf, age 23, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    White Calf was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in December of 2023. He pleaded guilty on April 5, 2024.

    In September of 2023, White Calf consumed alcohol with a group of friends and relatives. At some point, White Calf drove his group to a place called “Top of the World.” This location is just west of Pine Ridge. At this location, the group continued to drink alcohol. While leaving “Top of the World,” White Calf lost control of the vehicle. One of the passengers, a 16-year-old female, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries. Multiple other passengers were also ejected from the car and sustained bodily injuries. Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene because individuals nearby could hear screaming and crying. When law enforcement arrived on scene, White Calf told them that he was not driving and that someone with the last name “Titus” was driving. Several months later, White Calf eventually admitted to law enforcement that he was the driver.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe – Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Poppen prosecuted the case.

    White Calf was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Drug Dealer Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MOBILE, AL – An Elberta man was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to 15 years in federal prison for his possession with intent to distribute of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Baldwin County, Alabama.  Marcus Allen Heaton, 38, was identified during several encounters with Baldwin County sheriff’s investigators from 2019 through 2021.  

    Court documents show that in May of 2021, Heaton was driving a vehicle displaying improper rear lights. Baldwin County sheriff’s deputies stopped the vehicle and initiated an investigation. A drug detecting dog was used to walk around the outside of the vehicle, and the dog gave a positive alert for the odor of drugs emanating from the vehicle. The deputies searched the vehicle and found 132.6 grams of methamphetamine divided among five plastic bags, packaged in that manner for resale. The deputies also found 6.58 grams of fentanyl divided among three other plastic bags, also packaged for resale.  Heaton’s phone was seized during the stop and deputies obtained a search warrant to examine the contents. In the phone, deputies found numerous texts and electronic messages relating to Heaton’s distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Heaton pled guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one for methamphetamine and one for fentanyl, in June of 2024.  

    United States District Court Judge Jeffery Beaverstock imposed a sentence of 15 years imprisonment for Heaton’s illegal possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was the minimum mandatory sentence under federal law based on the amount of methamphetamine involved in the offense and Heaton’s prior convictions for serious drug felonies. On the charge for Heaton’s illegal possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, the judge imposed a sentence of 130 months imprisonment, which will run concurrently with the sentence on the methamphetamine charge. When Heaton is released from custody, he will serve 5 years of supervised release. Heaton’s supervision includes a set of standard conditions as well as a special condition requiring drug testing and treatment and permitting the probation officer to search his person or property upon a showing of reasonable suspicion that he is in violation of any of the conditions of his supervision. No fine was imposed but Heaton was ordered to pay $200 in special mandatory assessments.  

    The case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Employee Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $135,000 from Dupo School District

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A Waterloo woman admitted guilt to a federal charge Monday for embezzling more than $135,000 as a former employee of Dupo Community Unit School District #196.

    Linda J. Johnson, 58, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of theft from a federally funded program.

    According to court documents, Johnson committed the embezzlement while employed in an administrative support role in the superintendent’s office between 2020 and 2022. In this role, Johnson was responsible for depositing cash and checks into the district’s activities account intended to support student athletics, clubs, and extracurriculars.

    To conceal her crime, she would prepare bank deposit slips reflecting the correct amount of cash and checks received, but later she prepared a second set of fraudulent deposit slips that only accounted for the checks, while she kept the cash.

    “Stealing funds from student activities directly deprives children of opportunities within their extracurriculars,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Although the defendant tried to conceal her crime from school officials by preparing two sets of records, her deceit was discovered, and she will be held accountable.”

    The loss to the school district is $135,566.80.

    “The FBI works to protect the well-being of our children on many levels, and investigating the embezzlement of school funds is no different,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “FBI Springfield would like to thank the Dupo Police Department for their vital role in this investigation.”

    Theft from a federally funded program convictions are punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000. Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 27, 2025, at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis.

    Officials with the Dupo School District said the plea agreement reached Monday represents accountability for a serious breach of public trust that impacted their students, staff, and the entire Dupo School District community. They said they are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligent work in securing justice for our students and taxpayers.

    The Dupo Police Department and the FBI Springfield Field Office are directing the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pembroke Township Man Sentenced to 6 ½ Years in Prison for Filing False Tax Returns

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    URBANA, Ill. – Larry Dean Gibbs, 63, of Pembroke Township in Kankakee County, Illinois, was sentenced on October 28, 2024, to 6 ½ years of imprisonment for filing false tax returns.

    Gibbs was convicted of filing three false federal tax returns following a jury trial held at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana in March of this year. During the trial, the government presented evidence to establish that, in January 2017, Gibbs filed three federal income tax returns for the tax years 2012, 2013, and 2014, each falsely claiming that he had earned $10 million in annual income from the “Larry Dean Gibbs Estate.” Gibbs further falsely claimed that the IRS withheld over $3 million per year from his earnings each year and that he was entitled to refunds totaling over $6.8 million. In contemporaneous filings, Gibbs claimed that he had changed his name to Mulumbua Humraukn El Taikem Bey and that he was the Ambassador for the Al Moroccan Empire National Republic, which is not officially recognized by the U.S. State Department. At the time Gibbs filed the three false tax returns, he had just been released from federal prison for a prior conviction for filing a false federal tax return in 2005, when he had obtained a $66,282 refund to which he was not entitled.

    At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce found that Gibbs had obstructed justice during the trial by falsely claiming that he was a member of the Maipuri Arauan Nation and that a treaty between that tribe and the United States required tribal members to be seated on his jury. Judge Bruce found that Gibbs “continues to file nonsensical sovereign citizen documents with the court, despite the court’s clear warnings against such frivolous, docket-clogging activity.”

    The statutory penalties for filing a false tax return are up to three years of imprisonment and up to a $100,000 fine on each of the three counts of conviction. In addition to imprisonment, Judge Bruce sentenced Gibbs to serve one year of supervised release following his release from the federal Bureau of Prisons.

    Judge Bruce directed Gibbs to report to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence of imprisonment on January 7, 2025. In the meantime, Gibbs remains released on conditions of bond, which include home detention.

    “Fraud upon the government ultimately harms honest taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “Our office will vigorously prosecute these important cases, including those involving repeat offenders such as the defendant. We are grateful to our federal law enforcement partners for their dedicated work on this case.”

    “Tax fraud undermines the trust between taxpayers and their government,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “By filing false tax returns, Larry Gibbs not only cheated the system but also imposed an unjust burden on honest taxpayers. His frivolous court filings further clogged our legal system, wasting valuable resources that could be better used to serve the community. IRS Criminal Investigation and its fellow law enforcement partners remain committed to holding accountable those who seek to exploit our tax laws for personal gain.”

    “The FBI is proud to work with its law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to ensure that taxpayer dollars aren’t used to line the pockets of repeat offenders,” said Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. “Our tax system is predicated on the principal that every American pays their fair share, and this sentencing reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring equity for hardworking Americans.”

    The IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office, and FBI, Chicago Field Office, investigated the case. Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Eugene L. Miller represented the government in the prosecution.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Paving Contractor Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – The owner of a paving company doing business north of Boston pleaded guilty yesterday to a multi-year income tax evasion scheme.

    Richard Cooper, 71, of Billerica, pleaded guilty to four counts of tax evasion. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled Cooper’s sentencing for Jan. 30, 2024. Cooper was charged in September 2024.

    From 2017 to 2020, in addition to depositing customer payments to his company, Rick Cooper Paving, Cooper also cashed over $4.3 million in customer checks. When Cooper had his taxes prepared, he did not tell his preparer about the checks he was cashing, resulting in his tax returns underreporting the gross receipts of the business by millions. As a result, Cooper kept over $1 million that he should have paid in federal and state income taxes.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Harry Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Finds Man Guilty of Defrauding UConn

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Hartford has found DICKSON ALORWORNU, also known as “Dixon Al,” 35, a citizen of Ghana residing in Greenwich, guilty of fraud offenses.  The trial before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala began on October 23 and the jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts of an indictment this afternoon.

    According to the evidence presented during the trial, in December 2017, Alorwornu used other individuals’ names, fake Social Security numbers, and email addresses to submit two non-degree student applications to the University of Connecticut (“UConn”).  He then used American Express card information that had been stolen from three victims to fund the two student accounts with a total of more than $62,000 in fraudulently obtained funds.  In early 2018, Alorwornu withdrew from the courses and requested that UConn refund the money he had deposited.  UConn subsequently transferred tens of thousands of dollars to bank accounts Alorwornu controlled.  The investigation revealed that the email accounts that Alorwornu used to defraud UConn were also used to commit fraud at other universities.

    The jury found Alorwornu guilty of two counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count.  Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for February 19.

    Alorwornu was arrested on February 1, 2023.  He is released on a $50,000 bond pending sentencing.

    This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the UConn Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Chang and Elena Coronado.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jesup Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms as a Drug User

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A man who possessed twenty-one firearms as a drug user was sentenced today to five years in federal prison.

    Douglas Gilbert Uchytil, age 61, from Jesup, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 1, 2024, guilty plea to possession of firearms by a drug user.

    Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed that when law enforcement officers searched Uchytil’s residence on April 6, 2023, they found twenty-one firearms, over $25,000 in cash, and over half a pound of ice methamphetamine.  Uchytil possessed the methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.  He also admitted that he was a methamphetamine user.

    Uchytil was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Uchytil was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment and must also serve a two-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Uchytil is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, and Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Narcotics Enforcement.  

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

    The case file number is 23-CR-2056.

    Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal jury convicts Belgrade man of unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MISSOULA — A federal jury on Monday convicted a Belgrade man of a firearms crime after he was accused of illegally possessing two handguns and ammunition while he was the subject of a court restraining order, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    After a one-day trial that began on Oct. 28, the jury found the defendant, Jordan Charles Kirsch, 34, guilty of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Kirsch faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for March 12, 2025. Kirsch was detained pending further proceedings.

    “Firearms involved in domestic disputes often lead to tragic results. Here, Kirsch was under a court order of protection restraining him from any violence against the petitioner, and yet he illegally possessed two guns in violation of federal law. I am pleased the jury agreed with us and convicted him, and I am grateful to our prosecution team and law enforcement partners for their work to protect the safety of our fellow Montanans,” U.S. Attorney Laslovich said.

    In court documents and at trial, the government alleged that on Dec. 19, 2023, a state district court judge in Gallatin County conducted a hearing and issued a final Order of Protection for 10 years against Kirsch. The court’s order found that the petitioner was in danger of harm, restrained Kirsch from committing or threatening to commit any acts of violence to the petitioner and ordered Kirsch not to threaten, harass, abuse, follow, stalk, annoy or disturb the petitioner.

    In April 2024, a court order was issued for Kirsch to be removed from a Belgrade residence and for possession of the residence to be delivered to the petitioner. A sheriff’s office detective conducting surveillance observed Kirsch exit the residence with a black semi-automatic handgun and fire it 10 to 20 times toward a berm near the property. On May 2, 2024, Kirsch was arrested and evicted from the property. A search warrant was executed on the property, and law enforcement found two firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in various calibers.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Missouri River Drug Task Force and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.

    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.

    XXX

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Crystal Springs Man Sentenced to over 9 Years in Prison for Brandishing a Firearm During a Carjacking in Jackson

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Jackson, Miss. – A Crystal Springs man was sentenced today to 110 months in prison for brandishing a firearm while carjacking a woman in front of her home in Jackson.

    According to court documents, Christopher Lawrence Murray, 31, brandished a pistol during a carjacking in the Jackson area. In May of 2021, Murray and another man approached a woman sitting in her car in front of her home.  Working in tandem, both men pointed pistols at the woman and demanded she hand over her cellular phone and the keys to her car. The woman, at gunpoint, complied with the demands and the men left in the woman’s car.

    Murray was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2023, and he pled guilty on July 31, 2024, to brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.   

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

    The Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Bert Carraway prosecuted the case.

    In an effort to focus resources on carjacking in Jackson, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jackson Police Department and the Capitol Police Department formed a carjacking task force in April of 2024.  In keeping with the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, the task force represents a strategic enforcement priority for the department, focusing federal resources on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight-Time Mail Robbers Sentenced to Combined 21 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    The men responsible for eight mail carrier robberies were sentenced today to a combined 21 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. 

    Jerrad Coleman, 18, and Louis Dixon, 18, were charged via criminal complaint in April. Mr. Dixon pleaded guilty in June to robbery of property of the United States and conspiracy to rob and unlawfully possess property of the United States, while Mr. Coleman pleaded guilty to the same charges the following month.

    The pair were sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, who noted that the U.S. Postal Service is critical to the functioning of our country and called their crime a “heinous offense.” Mr. Dixon was sentenced to 60 months on count one and 91 months on count two to run consecutively, for a combined 151 months (12 ½ years) in federal prison; Mr. Dixon was sentenced to 60 months on count one and 108 months on count two to run concurrently for a total of 108 months (9 years) in federal prison. 

    “Today’s sentencing serves as a notice to those who wish to commit violent acts against U.S. Postal Service employees that the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to finding those responsible and bringing justice to the victims. U.S. Postal Service employees are delivering across America and deserve to work in their communities free from danger,” said Kai Pickens, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Fort Worth Division.

    “Violence against letter carriers not only puts federal workers in fear for their lives, but also undermines the functioning of the U.S. postal system,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals that endanger our Postal colleagues and the system as a whole.” 

     According to court documents, the men trawled the streets of DFW looking for U.S. Postal Service letter carriers to rob in hopes of obtaining an Arrow Key, a master key used by letter carriers to gather mail deposited in blue collection boxes. Unauthorized possession of these keys, prized by mail thieves, allows individuals to illicitly access mailboxes to steal victim mail, checks, credit cards, bank account information, and other sensitive information. 

    Over the course of about four months, the men conspired to commit robberies against U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers, including those on Jan. 17 in Fort Worth, Jan. 18 in Fort Worth, Jan. 25 in Dallas, Jan. 29 in Dallas, March 15 in Fort Worth, March 28 in Arlington, April 4 in Frisco, and April 17 in Fort Worth. 

    After robbing the mail carriers, often at gunpoint, the men fled in getaway vehicles. They then unlawfully used, sold, or disposed of the Arrow Keys.

    The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation with the help of the Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Frisco Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader And Three Members of Poly-Drug Trafficking Organization Are Sentenced To Prison

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

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The leader and three members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) were handed down sentences ranging from 70 months to 27 years in prison today for the bulk distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other narcotics, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

    Robert M. DeWitt, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in North Carolina, Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

    Led by the FBI, ATF, and CMPD, this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation successfully dismantled a poly-drug network that trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in Mecklenburg County.

    The investigation identified nine members of the DTO who were prosecuted federally in connection with this case. The four sentenced today are:

    George Irving Rivens, 38, of Charlotte, and leader of the DTO, was sentenced to 27 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.

    Paul Alexander Kaber, 29, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 172 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

    Christopher Ahmad Townsend, 32, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

    Joseph Earl Connor, 34, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl.

    The five DTO members previously sentenced and the charges they pleaded guilty to are as follows: 

    Daneon Hansen, 47, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

    Deion Rashaad Thompson, 30, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl; distribution of methamphetamine; and two counts of distribution of fentanyl.

    Joseph Stewart, 36, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl.

    Naliyah Tekayla Herd, 26, of Charlotte, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.

    Alexis Taylor, 27, of Mount Holly, N.C., was sentenced to four months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl.

    According to court documents and court proceedings, from at least January 1, 2021, to June 3, 2022, Rivens supplied the members of the DTO with methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine for local distribution in Charlotte. During the investigation, law enforcement identified a residence in Charlotte the DTO was using as a wholesale stash house to store and traffic drugs. On June 3, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at the stash house, seizing 16.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 5.7 kilograms of fentanyl, over 2.6 kilograms of cocaine, over a kilogram of heroin, 37 kilograms of marijuana, and more than half a kilogram of cocaine base. In addition, 10 firearms and nearly $30,000 in cash drug proceeds were seized. Court record show that, when law enforcement conducted the search warrant, it appeared that some of the occupants of the stash house had been attempting to destroy evidence by flushing methamphetamine down the toilet.

    On the same day, investigators also executed a search warrant at another location, seizing 3.6 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.1 kilograms of heroin, three firearms, and $60,000 in cash. From another residence used by Rivens, law enforcement seized $30,303 in cash and two more firearms. In total, over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized over a quarter million dollars in drug cash proceeds and other assets, including over $100,000 worth of jewelry, a 2020 Dodge Charger Scat Pack, and a residence used by the DTO to facilitate drug trafficking. 

    In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the FBI, ATF, and CMPD for leading this OCDETF operation.

    OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. 

     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Chief of Naval Operations, Master Chief Petty Officer of Navy Visit Gulf Coast to Engage with Warfighters

    Source: United States Navy

    Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) James Honea traveled to the Gulf Coast, Oct. 24-25, to engage with active and reserve Sailors and Navy civilians serving in America’s Warfighting Navy.

    This visit underscores the CNO and MCPON’s commitment to warfighting, warfighters and the foundation that supports them.

    “Our greatest strength in our Navy is our people,” said Franchetti. “We can have great technology, great platforms, and all the best equipment around the world, but without our amazing people to operate it, we can’t go anywhere or do anything.”

    At Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City, Franchetti and Honea had the opportunity to visit Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Panama City Division to observe the latest advancements in integrating robotic and autonomous systems in littoral operations and hold discussions with experts in the field about how their work advances one of the Project 33 targets outlined in CNO’s Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy: “Operationalize robotic and autonomous systems: Move proven systems into the hands of the warfighters.”

    “Our Sailors assigned in the area possess the education and skills that undoubtedly improve our readiness and enhance our warfighting advantage,” said Honea.

    The CNO expressed her appreciation for the innovative work being done.

    “I am inspired by the remarkable technological advancements and the dedication of our Sailors and civilians. The Gulf Coast is home to some of the Navy’s most innovative and talented individuals, and it was an honor to witness their achievements firsthand,” said Franchetti. “Our investments in unmanned warfare technologies are critical to maintaining our maritime superiority and ensuring the safety and security of our Nation.”

    The leaders also visited the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, which trains military divers from all branches. The center includes diving simulation facilities that can reach depths of 300 feet, along with an aquatics training facility that features the second-largest pool in the U.S.

    CNO and MCPON continued their visit at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola engaging with students and staff at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station. This interaction provided an invaluable opportunity for them to gain insights into the training and education of the Navy’s information warfare professionals.

    MCPON commended the students for their dedication and highlighted the vital role the Navy’s information warriors play in providing warfighting capabilities from the seabed to space.

    “Our Sailors assigned in the area possess the education and skills that undoubtedly improve our readiness and enhance our warfighting advantage,” said Honea.

    Next, the CNO presided over a winging ceremony at NAS Pensacola, where she had the honor of presenting 36 “wings of gold” to new pilots, naval flight officers, and an air vehicle pilot. The ceremony is a tradition that marks the completion of a student’s training and their official designation as a naval aviator. The CNO expressed her pride in the newly winged aviators and their commitment to upholding the highest standards of excellence in naval aviation.

    “I’d like to leave you with one final thought. The skill sets, tactics, and training you’ve learned during flight school will stay with you for the rest of your lives, forming the foundation of your careers,” said Franchetti. “Remember the importance of Crew Resource Management and Operational Risk Management, and never forget to aviate, navigate, and communicate.”

    Following the winging ceremony CNO and MCPON hosted a roundtable discussion with Pensacola area Major Commanders and their senior enlisted leaders to discuss the NAVPLAN and gain their perspective on the experiences of our Sailors, civilians, and families in the “cradle of naval aviation.”  They also conducted all hands calls at Panama City, Corry Station, and NAS Pensacola.
     

    They closed out their trip with a visit to the Transaction Service Center (TSC) Pensacola, where CNO and MCPON met with the Sailors and Navy civilians responsible for overseeing all East Coast gains, losses, and military pay, expressing gratitude for their essential work.

    Last year, TSC Pensacola utilized the Get Real Get Better toolset, achieving 99.9 percent accuracy in Sailor pay. This milestone was reached by expanding Human Resources (HR) Service Center workflows, enhancing command triad visibility of Sailor pay and HR professional performance, and collaborating closely with Fleet Commanders.

    NAS Pensacola, the proud home of the Blue Angels, will host the NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, featuring a combined performance with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, on Nov. 1-2, 2024. This event is one of Pensacola’s largest, attracting between 150,000 and 180,000 spectators over the two days. Admission is free and open to the public, with gates opening at 8 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating, or they can opt for paid seating available for purchase.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Six Charged in Scheme to Defraud the Federal Government

    Source: United States Attorneys General 8

    Six defendants have been charged for their roles in schemes to rig bids, defraud the government and pay bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sale of IT products and services to federal government purchasers, which resulted in overcharges of millions of dollars to the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense (DoD). 

    On Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, a federal grand jury in Baltimore returned indictments against two additional defendants. Four other defendants were also charged. These are the first charges in the Justice Department’s ongoing investigation into IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers who sell products and services to government purchasers, including to the intelligence community. 

    “Antitrust crimes can undermine competition for products and services that are vital to our national security,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “When fraudsters siphon taxpayer funds, the Antitrust Division and its Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) partners across the government will hold accountable those who collude to subvert competition, line their pockets with federal procurement dollars and compromise the integrity of our intelligence community programs.”

    “This office and our partners will use all available resources to hold accountable those who would undermine and distort the government’s procurement of goods and services, especially those related to our cybersecurity infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron for the District of Maryland. 

    “This investigation demonstrates the vital need to protect the DoD procurement process, particularly within the Intelligence Community,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the DoD Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to identifying fraudsters who abuse public trust and enrich themselves through criminal schemes.”

    “There is no place for fraudsters and crooks scheming to manipulate the government bidding process for personal gain,” said Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to identifying, investigating and bringing to justice those conspiring to enrich themselves by cheating taxpayers.”

    “Investigating complex fraud schemes is a top priority of ours,” said National Security Agency Acting Inspector General Kevin Gerrity. “I commend our team, our law enforcement partners and the Justice Department for their work protecting the integrity of federal contracting.”

    “Each part of the government must do its part to detect and prosecute instances of waste, fraud and abuse, and CIA’s Office of Inspector General was pleased to join its law enforcement partners in investigating this egregious case,” said CIA Inspector General Robin C. Ashton.

    United States v. Victor Marquez

    Victor M. Marquez, a Maryland resident and owner of two IT companies with significant government contracts, was charged in a four-count indictment with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and major fraud against the United States for rigging bids and inflating the amount of money obtained from valuable IT contracts. 

    Antwann C.K. Rawls, an employee of one of Marquez’s companies, and Scott A. Reefe, an IT sales executive, have been charged for their respective roles in the conspiracy.

    As alleged in the indictment, Marquez, Rawls, Reefe and their co-conspirators used their positions of trust to learn sensitive, confidential procurement information, including procurement budgets for large U.S. government IT contracts. The co-conspirators used that inside information to craft bids at artificially determined, non-competitive and non-independent prices, ensuring Marquez’s company would win the procurement. 

    According to court documents, the co-conspirators shared their bids in advance of submitting them to the government, with one co-conspirator emailing that he would submit a “high price third bid.” Marquez and his co-conspirators submitted their collusive bids despite knowing the government sought independent, competitive bids for the valuable contracts, and despite Marquez’s certification of independent bidding.

    If convicted, Marquez faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each conspiracy and wire fraud count and 10 years in prison for the major fraud charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    United States v. Breal L. Madison Jr.

    Breal L. Madison Jr., a Maryland resident, was charged in a 13-count indictment with conspiracy, bribery of a public official, mail fraud and money laundering for orchestrating a years-long scheme to defraud his employer and the United States out of over $7 million in connection with the sale of IT products to various government agencies.

    Brandon Scott Glisson, an IT contractor providing IT services to the U.S. government, and Glisson’s supervisor, Lawrence A. Eady, a former senior government employee, have also been charged for their respective roles in the scheme.

    According to court documents, through multiple misrepresentations, Madison and his co-conspirators conspired to steal money from Madison’s employer and government agencies, illegally siphoning over $9 million in stolen proceeds to Madison’s shell company, Trident Technology Solutions, and another shell company. They used the money to purchase luxury items and to pay approximately $630,000 in bribes to Eady in exchange for Eady’s ensuring the purchase of additional products sold by Madison. 

    Madison used his ill-gotten gains to buy a Vanquish VQ58 yacht, 2020 Lamborghini Huracan and multiple other vehicles, all of which the United States seeks to forfeit in the indictment. 

    If convicted, Madison faces maximum penalties of five years in prison for the conspiracy count, 15 years in prison for each bribery count, 20 years in prison for each mail fraud count and 10 years for each money laundering count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The DCIS, the FBI Baltimore Field Office, CIA Office of Inspector General and NSA Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

    Acting Assistant Chief Michael Sawers and Trial Attorneys Zachary Trotter and Elizabeth French of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron S.J. Zelinsky, Sean M. Delaney and Darren Gardner for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. 

    Anyone with information about this investigation or other procurement fraud schemes should notify the PCSF at www.justice.gov/atr/webform/pcsf-citizen-complaint. The Justice Department created the PCSF in November 2019. It is a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.

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

    View the Rawls information.

    View the Eady information.

    View Reefe information.

    View the Glisson information.

    View the Madison indictment.

    View the Marquez indictment.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Montgomery County Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Fentanyl And Firearm Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Possessed more than 900 pills purporting to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride in his home, with the intent to distribute them. 

    Greenbelt, Maryland – Today, the Honorable Lydia K. Griggsby sentenced Darnell Palmer, 23, Germantown, Maryland, to 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

    Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Washington Division, and Chief Marc R. Yamada, Montgomery County Police Department.

    According to the guilty plea, in April 2022, law enforcement received information that Palmer was distributing fentanyl in Montgomery County, Maryland.  Law Enforcement officers observed Palmer selling 10 round blue pills purporting to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride, and actually contained fentanyl, to an individual in front of Palmer’s residence.  On June 1, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Palmer’s residence. 

    In Palmer’s bedroom, law enforcement located approximately 918 fentanyl pills (appearing as Oxycodone Hydrochloride ), distributed within several zip-top bags; a plastic bag containing three bags of marijuana and a black digital scale; a loaded Glock 27 handgun; four firearm magazines, including an empty Glock magazine; a clear magazine containing six rounds of ammunition; a loaded drum magazine; and a packaged Glock magazine; and approximately $3,611 in U.S. currency, among other items.  Palmer possessed the fentanyl pills with the intent to distribute them.  The 928 fentanyl pills recovered in the investigation weighed more than 100 grams.  The pills Palmer distributed, and that were seized from his bedroom, purported to be Oxycodone Hydrochloride in that they were small light blue pills stamped with “M” and “30” to match legitimate Oxycodone Hydrochloride 30 milligram pills when in fact, they contained fentanyl instead of Oxycodone Hydrochloride.

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the DEA and the Montgomery County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Christopher Sarma, who prosecuted the federal case.

    For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Alabama Man Sentenced for Threatening Fulton County Sheriff and District Attorney

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Arthur Ray Hanson, II has been sentenced to federal prison for transmitting interstate threats to injure Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis because of their connections to the Fulton County, Georgia investigation and prosecution of former President Donald Trump. 

    “Public servants have a responsibility to enforce our criminal laws, and anyone who threatens to harm or intimidate them will face the consequences of their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan.  “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners who diligently worked to ensure public officials are free to perform their essential work without the threat of physical attack.”

    “Threats against public servants are not only illegal, but also a threat against our democratic process,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution. We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to punish those who engage in this type of criminal behavior, and to send the message that such conduct will not be tolerated.”

    According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges, and other information presented in court: On August 6, 2023, Hanson called the Fulton County Government customer service line twice and left two voicemails—the first for Sheriff Labat and the second for District Attorney Willis. During both calls, Hanson threatened violence against these officials.

    In his message for Sheriff Labat, Hanson made statements that included the following:

    • “If you think you gonna take a mugshot of my President Trump and it’s gonna be okay, you gonna find out that after you take that mugshot, some bad [expletive]’s gonna happen to you;”
    • “If you take a mugshot of the President and you’re the reason it happened, some bad [expletive]’s gonna happen to you;”
    • “I’m warning you right now before you [expletive] up your life and get hurt real bad;” and
    • “Whether you got a [expletive] badge or not ain’t gonna help you none;” and “you gonna get [expletive]ed up you keep [expletive]ing with my President.” 

    In Hanson’s message for District Attorney Willis, he made statements that included the following:

    • “Watch it when you’re going to the car at night, when you’re going into your house, watch everywhere that you’re going;”
    • “I would be very afraid if I were you because you can’t be around people all the time that are going to protect you;”
    • “There’s gonna be moments when you’re gonna be vulnerable;”
    • “When you charge Trump on that fourth indictment, anytime you’re alone, be looking over your shoulder;” and
    • “What you put out there, [expletive], comes back at you ten times harder, and don’t ever forget it.”

    Arthur Ray Hanson, II, 59, of Huntsville, Alabama, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge U.S. District Judge J. P. Boulee to one year, nine months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine. Hanson was convicted on these charges on July 3, 2024, after he pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bret R. Hobson and Brent Alan Gray prosecuted the case.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mansfield Tax Preparer Sentenced to More Than 15 Years After Touting False Credentials

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A would-be lawyer who falsely inflated dozens of client tax returns was sentenced Tuesday to more than 15 years in federal prison for tax fraud, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

    John Anthony Castro, 40, owner of the virtual tax preparation business Castro & Company, was indicted in January. Following a five-day bench trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R Means, he was convicted on all 33 counts of assisting in the preparation of a fraudulent return and was immediately taken into custody. Judge Means sentenced him Thursday to 188 months in prison and ordered him to pay $277,243 in restitution.

    “Far from an ‘international tax expert,’ this defendant was an international fraudster, plain and simple,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Not only did he defraud the U.S. government, he bullied and berated clients who dared question his methods. Today’s sentencing should send a message to tax preparers nationwide: Lie on clients’ returns at your own peril.”

    “Mr. Castro prepared and filed completely fraudulent and fabricated tax returns for one reason: greed,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office.  “Today’s sentence highlights IRS-CI’s diligence in rooting out dishonest tax return preparers whose only motive is to cheat the system and make themselves richer in the process.”

    According to evidence presented in court, Mr. Castro – who had graduated law school but repeatedly failed the bar exam – held himself out as an “international tax expert” and “federal practitioner.” (He also falsely claimed to be a graduate of West Point.)

    He was successful at marketing to clients around the world, claiming to be an expert on certain tax issues related to Australian ex-pats, among other things.  Between 2017 and 2019, he filed more than 1,900 tax returns on behalf of individuals from all over the world.

    As part of his pitch, Mr. Castro promised his clients a significantly higher refund than they would receive from other preparers, claiming he knew how to identify and claim deductions that others did not.  He added there was no risk, as he would simply split the additional refund amount with them to account for his fee.  He would not share the tax return with clients before filing, but would instead simply inform them of the amount of the anticipated refund.

    On many occasions, he filed tax returns on behalf of clients without their permission or knowledge.  In other instances, he claimed deductions that had no basis in fact.  For example, for one client, who made approximately $103,000 in income, Mr. Castro claimed over $90,000 in deductions related to unreimbursed employee expenses.

    Mr. Castro claimed deductions based on extreme and unsupported legal theories, including deductions such as (1) those for any expense related to preventing an illness qualified as an “impairment related work expense,” (2) those for expenses related to commuting to and from work, (3) the full value of one’s mortgage and utilities as long as the taxpayer had some type of Schedule C business to claim, (4) those related to dry-cleaning for work clothes, and (5) the full value of one’s cell phone bill even when their employer provided them with a work phone.  For example, with respect to one client, Mr. Castro deducted over $26,000 in expenses that he claimed related to a nascent cupcake business that had generated only $250 in revenue.

    According to trial testimony, in February 2018, an undercover IRS – CI agent contacted Mr. Castro for assistance. The agent asked to meet with Mr. Castro in person, but Mr. Castro’s office told him that in-person meetings required a $5,000 retainer. They spoke via email instead.

    On February 13, 2018, the undercover agent submitted a W2 and a Form 1098-T showing wages of $142,217. About two weeks later, one of Mr. Castro’s employees called the agent to discuss deductions, noting that Mr. Castro would make any decisions regarding what items would be included on the tax filing.

    The agent denied having any unreimbursed employee expenses, charitable contributions, or other items that could lead to deductions.

    On March 12, 2018, Mr. Castro sent the undercover agent his tax analysis. He said that if the agent used another preparer, he would receive a refund of $373, but that if he used Mr. Castro, he would receive a refund of $6,007. Mr. Castro would take half, netting him $3,008. The analysis said the return would include $29,339 in deductions but did not specify which deductions would be used.

    Two days later, Mr. Castro filed the agent’s return, which claimed $29,339 in fraudulent deductions, including $2,400 in employee expenses, and 28,600 in other expenses that the undercover agent had never discussed with Mr. Castro or his employees.

    According to evidence presented at trial, Mr. Castro engaged in a similar pattern with his other clients. When the victim-taxpayers learned what Mr. Castro had done, many of them demanded copies of their tax returns. Mr. Castro refused to engage in conversation and even delayed providing returns for months at a time.  Mr. Castro often acted in a highly vindictive manner when questioned or challenged by clients or others, often berating individuals in emails, threatening legal actions, or by filing amended tax returns, without clients’ permission or knowledge, that removed all deductions, causing the taxpayer-victim to then owe the IRS tens of thousands of dollars. 

    During the trial, Mr. Castro took the stand in his own defense, and upon cross-examination, admitted that his positions were extreme, outlandish, and not supported by the law.  He also admitted to a bevy of prior falsifications and vindictive actions.

    Many of the victim-taxpayers have since been audited and/or filed amended returns, causing them significant financial hardship.

    IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys P.J. Meitl and Nancy Larson are prosecuting the case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Turtle Creek Man Indicted on 18 Counts of Violent Robberies of Multiple Businesses, Carjackings, and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of Hobbs Act robbery, carjacking, and firearms violations, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

    The 18-count Indictment named Jamal Martel Brooks, 33, as the sole defendant. Brooks was previously prosecuted and convicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania in 2019 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced to 17 months of incarceration.

    According to the Indictment, from January 3, 2023, to January 2, 2024, Brooks committed numerous violent crimes, including robberies of multiple businesses in the greater Pittsburgh area and two carjackings. Brooks is alleged to have brandished and possessed a firearm in connection with each of these crimes.

    The law provides for a maximum sentence of not less than seven years and up to life in prison for each count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and the sentence on each such count must be imposed consecutively to any other sentence. Due to the number of robberies alleged to have been committed by Brooks, he is facing a maximum total sentence of not less than 63 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $4.5 million, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Brooks also is currently facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in relation to his alleged shooting of a Monroeville Police Sergeant on January 3, 2024.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and DeMarr W. Moulton are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Allegheny County Police Department, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Monroeville Police Department, and Robinson Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

    An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian forces, and international partners wrap-up Operation North Pacific Guard 2024 

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/29/2024 05:15 PM EDT

    News Release

    		  

    U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
    Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
    Office: (907) 463-2065
    After Hours: (907) 463-2065
    17th District online newsroom

     

    10/29/2024 04:55 PM EDT

    U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian forces, and international partners wrap-up Operation North Pacific Guard 2024 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three Men Arrested in Connection with Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TUCSON, Ariz. – Jose Gracia-Vega, 28, of Tucson, was arrested on October 17, 2024, by members of the Arizona Strike Force for Possession with Intent to Distribute 27 Pounds of Methamphetamine and was charged by criminal complaint on October 18, 2024. Ulises Yescas-Garcia, 23, of Tucson, and Sebastian Higuera-Fuentes, 22, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico were also arrested for their involvement in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and the distribution of methamphetamine in Tucson beginning in February of this year. Yescas-Garcia and Higuera-Fuentes were both charged earlier by indictment.

    On October 2, 2024, Yescas-Garcia and Higuera-Fuentes were charged in a seven-count indictment with Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, and Aiding and Abetting Distribution of Methamphetamine in United States District Court, case CR-24-6720-TUC-RCC. The indictment alleges that they conspired with one another and others to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Tucson beginning in February 2024, and distributed that methamphetamine on at least six occasions during the time of the conspiracy.

    On October 17, 2024, Gracia-Vega was arrested after being found in possession of approximately 27 pounds of methamphetamine destined for sale in Tucson. According to the complaint, Gracia-Vega met with Higuera-Fuentes that morning and provided him methamphetamine for later distribution. Higuera-Fuentes and Yescas-Garcia were arrested that same day on the charges set forth in the October 2nd indictment.

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

    The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Marana Police Department, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Petermann, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.

    CASE NUMBER:           CR-24-6720-TUC-RCC
                                          24-mj-9730-N/A-EJM
    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-146_Gracia-Vega, Yescas-Garcia, Higuera-Fuentes

    # # #

    For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
    Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tisdale — Update: RCMP investigating school bus collision 22 kilometers southwest of Tisdale

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    October 29, 2024
    Tisdale, Saskatchewan

    News release

    Tisdale RCMP continue to investigate the collision that occurred near the intersection of Township Road 424 and Range Road 2160 with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist. As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide additional information about any potential cause or details of the collision at this time.

    At the time of the collision, 27 children approximately 14-17 years old and an adult bus driver were on the bus. All the bus occupants were from the Tisdale detachment area. 26 children and the bus driver were transported to hospital by EMS and parents. One child was taken to hospital in Saskatoon by STARS Air Ambulance. 21 children have injuries described as non-life threatening and 6 children have injuries described as serious in nature. The adult driver of the bus has injuries described as serious in nature. We are not able to share further details of their injuries or treatment/status at the hospital, as this is considered their personal health information.

    Tisdale RCMP thanks the first responders who assisted in the response to the collision, including Melfort RCMP and Melfort, Tisdale and Naicam EMS. Thank you to the teachers, parents, and community members of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation who offered their support at the scene.

    –30–

    Backgrounder

    RCMP investigating school bus collision 22 kilometers southwest of Tisdale

    2024-10-29

    Tisdale RCMP are currently on scene and investigating a single vehicle collision involving a school bus that occurred at approximately 3:55 p.m. on October 28, 2024. The collision occurred near the intersection of Township Road 424 and Range Road 2160, approximately 22 kilometers southwest of Tisdale, SK. Local fire and EMS also responded.

    The investigation is in its preliminary stages and at this time we do not have details to provide about the collision. The bus is currently upright in the ditch.

    The adult driver of the school bus has injuries described as non-life threatening in nature. The school bus was transporting children at the time of the collision– we cannot confirm the number or ages of the children at this time. Some children are being treated for various injuries – we do not have specific details about their injuries or how many children require hospital treatment at this time.

    The children’s families have been notified and we are asking news partners and the public to please respect their privacy at this time.

    Tisdale RCMP continue to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist. We do not anticipate further updates this evening.

    A road closure is in place between Range Road 2160 and Range Road 2155 for an undetermined amount of time. Detours are in place but motorists should expect delays in the area. Please slow down and follow the instructions of emergency personnel on scene. Please visit the Highway Hotline for road closure updates.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitewood — Broadview RCMP investigating robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 28, 2024 at approximately 11:45 p.m., Broadview RCMP received a report of a robbery at a business in Whitewood, SK.

    Investigation determined an individual was parked outside of the business. An adult male approached the victim, deployed bear spray at him, then physically forced him from the vehicle. The suspect then stole the vehicle, striking the victim with it as he fled. The victim, an adult male, was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

    Officers immediately responded and located the vehicle on the Cowessess First Nation. They activated their emergency lights and sirens and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop immediately, but later came to a stop and the four occupants fled on foot.

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s Police Dog Services and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System arrived to assist.

    Two of the four occupants have been located. No charges have been laid against them at this time.

    Broadview RCMP continue to search for suspect in the robbery, as well as the fourth occupant in the vehicle.

    The suspect is described as approximately 25 to 30 years old and six feet tall. He was last seen wearing a white/grey hoodie and sweat pants.

    The investigation continues. Broadview RCMP ask members of the public to report all sightings of the suspect and information on his identity.

    If seen, do not approach him. Report sightings and information to Broadview RCMP immediately by dialling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

    Updates will be provided as they become available.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Dundurn — Saskatchewan RCMP SERT lays charges after human trafficking investigation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU), part of the Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT), and Saskatoon RCMP Detachment has laid multiple charges against an adult male following a human trafficking investigation that began in Dundurn, SK.

    On October 23, 2024 at approximately 5:15 a.m., Saskatoon RCMP were called to a business in Dundurn for a report of kidnapping.

    Officers responded and located an adult female from Ontario at the business. Initial investigation determined she was being held against her will. Officers contacted HTCEU investigators, who began a human trafficking investigation. HTCEU investigators determined the woman had been forcibly taken from Toronto and that human trafficking had occurred in various locations in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

    As a result of investigation, 51-year-old Pierre Andre Bouchard of Chambly, QC, is charged with:

    • one count, trafficking in persons, Section 279.01, Criminal Code;
    • one count, trafficking in persons – material benefit, Section 279.02(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, forcible confinement, Section 279(2), Criminal Code;
    • one count, sexual assault, Section 271, Criminal Code;
    • one count, sexual assault with other weapon, Section 272(1)(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, material benefit from sexual services, Section 286.2(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, obtaining sexual services for consideration, Section 286.1(1), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, procuring, Section 286.3(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, uttering threats against a person, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, assault with weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, fail to comply probation order, Section 733.1(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, identity theft, 402.2(1), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, Section 354(1)(a), Criminal Code.

    Bouchard was arrested by Saskatoon Police Service on October 23, 2024. He appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on October 24, 2024 and made his second court appearance in Saskatoon on October 28, 2024. Bouchard was remanded into custody for his next court appearance in Saskatoon on November 5, 2024.

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s Saskatoon Detachment, Yorkton Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, Saskatoon General Investigation Section, Saskatoon Police Services’ VICE Unit and Victim Services, Regina Police Service’s VICE Unit, Toronto Police Service and Brandon Police Service assisted in this continuing investigation, along with additional community partners.

    If you have information about this or any other incident of human trafficking, or if you or someone you know may be a victim of it, call 310-RCMP.

    How to recognize and report human trafficking

    “Human trafficking affects communities of all sizes, not just urban centres. It’s a reality that exists in big cities and small towns, including those here at home in Saskatchewan,” says Insp. Jeff Smoliak, RCMP’s Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) senior investigative officer.

    “It’s also a crime that has no borders, which is why the Saskatchewan RCMP works interjurisdictionally to investigate these complex files and works closely with municipal police agencies and partners across the country.”

    Saskatchewan RCMP reminds the public that anyone can be a target for human trafficking. Victims may be trafficked by someone they know: a former or current partner, family member, friend, or trustworthy person. Recruiting tactics can be subtle; often victims don’t even know they’re being trafficked.

    Traffickers may approach potential victims by:

    • pretending to be a potential love interest, friend or support person;
    • connecting over social media or in person;
    • offering gifts or money;
    • introducing drugs or alcohol; or
    • threatening potential victims’ loved ones if they don’t comply.

    Additional information on recognizing human trafficking can be found here.

    In addition to contacting the RCMP, the public can also contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010. This hotline is confidential, available 24/7 and offers services in more than 200 languages. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

    Background

    The Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERT) consists of Saskatchewan RCMP’s Crime Reduction Team (CRT), Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST), Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT), the Offender Management Unit, and Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU). SERT helps the Saskatchewan RCMP continue to fulfil its mandate as the province’s police force – keeping our communities safe.

    The Human Trafficking and Counter Exploitation Unit (HTCEU) is a specialized unit that conducts enforcement activities related to human trafficking, facilitates victim support, and educates partners and stakeholders.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Convicts Belzoni Man of Conspiracy for Role in Firearms Trafficking

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

    Aberdeen, MS – A federal jury convicted Belzoni resident Jarvis Hood, 23, of conspiring to transfer firearms to Chicago, Illinois residents and making false statements to federal firearms licensees during the purchase of multiple firearms.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the investigation began after agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives noticed a high volume of firearms recovered in crimes in the City of Chicago, Illinois had been purchased in the Northern District of Mississippi. Some of the firearms involved in new crimes had been purchased as recent as one day prior to use in a new offense.

    Several of the firearms were recovered in violent crimes and had machinegun devices attached that converted the firearms to be able to fire automatically.  In total, investigators identified over 60 firearms that were purchased illegally and transported to Chicago for resale. Five defendants previously pled guilty for their roles in the offense.

    Hood was charged with conspiracy to transfer firearms to out-of-state residents and to make false statements to federal firearms licensees during firearms purchases. After a five-day trial, a federal jury returned a verdict Monday finding Hood guilty of the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2025.

    “This defendant and his cohorts profited and contributed to the gun violence plaguing Chicago by  illegally trafficking in firearms,” said U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “AUSAs Julie Addison and Sam Stringfellow led an interagency team that has helped to stem the flow of illegal firearms from Mississippi to Chicago while also ensuring that the defendant will be held accountable for his criminal actions.”

    “Machine gun conversion devices threaten the safety of our communities and law enforcement officers, and this verdict reinforces the urgent need to dismantle trafficking networks bringing these dangerous devices and firearms to the streets of Chicago,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon of the Chicago Field Division. “I thank the ATF Oxford Mississippi Field Office and the Northern District of Mississippi United States Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership.”

    The case was investigated by the Chicago Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the ATF Oxford, Mississippi Field Office. Valuable contributions were made by the Chicago Police Department, Wilmette Police Department, and Amtrak Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Addison and Samuel Stringfellow 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: Balgonie — White Butte RCMP asks members of the public for assistance identifying semi

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 12, 2024, White Butte RCMP received a report of a chemical spill on Highway #46.

    Investigation determined a semi hauling a belly dump style of trailer left a business on the Service Road in Balgonie. While driving south on Highway #46, then continuing on to Highway #1 toward Winnipeg, the semi spilled fertilizer it was hauling. The semi did not stop at the scene of the spill.

    The Balgonie Fire Department, Ministry of Highways, Ministry of Environment and Regina Bypass responded to – and are managing – the spill and clean-up, and were responsible for the closure of the highway that resulted from the spill. Any questions on these matters can be directed to the appropriate agency.

    White Butte RCMP is now investigating whether there is a criminal element to the spill, including gathering information about the vehicle driver’s failure to stop after the spill and determining whether the resulting cost of clean-up constitutes mischief.

    The vehicle and driver have not been identified at this time.

    White Butte RCMP is asking members of the public for assistance. If you saw the semi spilling fertilizer on Highway #46 between 5:15 and 5:45 a.m. on October 12, or if you potentially captured security or dashcam footage of it, contact White Butte RCMP by dialling 310-RCMP.

    Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Lower Post — Watson Lake RCMP and BC Coroners Service investigating a death

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Watson Lake RCMP is investigating the death of a man in Lower Post, British Columbia.

    On October 28, 2024, at approximately 10:30 am Watson lake RCMP were notified that a body had been located on the bank of the Liard River in Lower Post. Initial investigation suggests the man may have been there for some time.

    RCMP are working with the BC Coroners Service to determine the identity of the deceased.

    Police ask that if anyone has information in the community, to please contact Watson Lake RCMP Detachment at 867-536-5555.

    Any media questions regarding the investigation can be directed to the BC Coroners Service.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement Regarding Fires at Ballot Boxes

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

    The following statement may be attributed to U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman and Greg Austin, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office:

    “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI want to assure our communities that we are working closely and expeditiously together to investigate the two incendiary fires at the ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and the one in Portland, Oregon, and will work to hold whoever is responsible fully accountable.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office, provide information through tips.fbi.gov, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Capture Crockett County Attempted Murder Suspect in Memphis

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Bells, TN – Today, U.S. Marshals captured Antonio Pewitte, 37, of Humboldt, TN, at a Memphis residence. Pewitte was wanted for attempted first degree murder for a stabbing incident that occurred in Bells in Crockett County, TN.

    On October 19, 2024, the Bells Police Department investigated an incident where it is alleged that Pewitte laid in wait outside his former girlfriend’s place of employment. As she entered the building, Pewitte approached her from behind and stabbed her multiple times in the face and head with a knife. He then fled the scene. The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Jackson was requested to locate and apprehend Pewitte.

    On the morning of October 29, U.S. Marshals developed information that Pewitte was in Memphis. The USMS, assisted by the Memphis Police and Shelby County Fugitive Apprehension teams, went to a residence in the 2200 block of Falling Oak Way. Pewitte was safely taken into custody and transported to the Bells Police Department.

    The USMS would like to acknowledge the Bells, Gadsen, Humboldt, and Brownsville Police Departments, as well as the Crockett and Gibson County Sheriff’s Departments for their work on the case. The USMS would also like to thank the citizens who called in information.

    The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured approximately 3,000 violent offenders and sexual predators.

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