NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Windsor Mill Woman Sentenced To Over Five Years’ Imprisonment In Connection With Conspiracy Involving Fraudulently Obtaining And Attempting To Obtain More Than $3 Million In Covid-19 Cares Act Loans

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Glenn Used COVID-19 CARES Act Funds to Pay for a Vacation to Jamaica, a Mercedes-Benz, Luxury Jewelry, including a 31 Carat Diamond Necklace and items from Luis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Dior, Cartier, Gucci, Chanel and Hermes.

    Baltimore, Maryland – On October 23, 2024, Tomeka Glenn, a/k/a “Tomeka Harris” and “Tomeka Davis,” age 47, of Windsor Mill, Maryland, was sentenced by United States District Judge Richard D. Bennett to 65 months’ imprisonment and 3 years of supervised release in connection with her conviction on conspiracy to commit wire fraud relating to the submission of millions of dollars in fraudulent COVID-19 CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications.  Judge Bennett also directed Glenn to pay restitution in the amount of $3,016,275.62.

    Glenn’s co-defendant Kevin Davis, age 43, also of Windsor Mill, Maryland, pleaded guilty on January 25, 2024 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  Judge Bennett on May 22, 2024 sentenced him to 24 months’ imprisonment.

    The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge William J. Delbagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) Baltimore Field Office; and Chief Robert McCullough of the Baltimore County Police Department.

    Financial assistance offered through the CARES Act included forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the Paycheck Protection Program, administered through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).  The SBA also offered an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and/or an EIDL advance to help businesses meet their financial obligations.  An EIDL advance did not have to be repaid, and small businesses could receive an advance, even if they were not approved for an EIDL loan. The maximum advance amount was $10,000.

    According to Glenn’s plea agreement, beginning in June 2020 and continuing through March 2021,  Glenn and various co-conspirators prepared numerous false and fraudulent EIDL and PPP loan applications for various businesses (including some that did not exist in any legitimate capacity)  that included false information concerning, among other things, number of employees, monthly payroll costs, and revenue.  The PPP applications also routinely included false and fraudulent Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) tax forms and bank statements, which were submitted by Glenn to substantiate the false representations made in the applications. 

    Glenn admitted that she received kickback payments from the loan borrowers in exchange for her assistance in connection with the submission of fraudulent PPP and EIDL applications, ultimately receiving more than $400,000 in kickbacks in connection with the scheme.  These kickbacks typically amounted to 10% to 20% of the loan amount.  In total, the kickback scheme resulted in the disbursement of at least $2,715,649.12 in fraudulently obtained PPP and EIDL funds in connection with 23 fraudulent PPP and EIDL loans.

    According to Glenn’s plea agreement, Glenn and Davis, received $300,726.50 in PPP/EIDL funds for various entities that they controlled, and Glenn attempted to obtain $601,511.20 in additional fraudulent PPP and EIDL funds too. 

    Glenn used the fraudulently obtained funds to pay for a luxury vacation at a resort in Jamaica, to purchase a 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 sedan valued at $148,171.60, to buy thousands of dollars in luxury jewelry, as well as numerous other luxury goods, including items from Luis Vuitton, Neiman Marcus, Dior, Cartier, Gucci, Chanel, and Hermes.

    At the time of her scheme, neither Glenn nor Davis had any legitimate source of income, and in May 2020, each applied for unemployment insurance benefits in the State of Maryland.  In addition, as detailed in Davis and Glenn’s plea agreements, on January 6, 2023, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at their residence.  Davis and Glenn were present at the residence at the time of the search and were arrested in connection with the fraudulent COVID-19 CARES Act loans.  According to Davis’s plea agreement, during the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement found and seized four firearms loaded with ammunition—a 9mm firearm, and three .40 caliber firearms.  Later investigation revealed that  one of the .40 caliber firearms had earlier been reported stolen by its owner.  As further detailed in Davis’s plea, the firearms were hidden by Davis in the air ducts of the residence: two firearms were hidden in the main bedroom air duct where Davis slept and kept his personal effects; the other two firearms were in the air duct of the bathroom closets to the main bedroom.  Moreover, two of the firearms were further stuffed in socks in an attempt to hide them.  Davis admitted that he possessed and secreted the firearms in the air ducts of his home (and in the socks) in an attempt to conceal them from law enforcement after learning that federal agents had a warrant to search his home.  As admitted to at his plea, Davis’s concealment of the firearms constitutes attempted obstruction of the administration of justice with respect to the investigation.  Each of the four firearms recovered from Davis’s home on January 6, 2023 were later found to have his DNA on them.  A later review of Davis’s iCloud account revealed the existence of, among other things, a series of videos depicting Davis handling firearms, including a shotgun and an assault rifle.  Davis knew that his previous felony conviction prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

    As part of their plea agreements, Glenn and Davis will be required to forfeit their interest in any assets derived from or obtained by them as a result of, or used to facilitate the commission of, their illegal activities. Specifically, Glenn is required to forfeit a money judgment in the amount of at least $700,726.50; the 2021 Mercedes-Benz; cash in bank accounts she controlled that were held in the names of business entities; and jewelry, including her 3.03 carat yellow diamond engagement ring, Rolex, Cartier and Breitling watches, and a Diamond Miami Cuban Link Chain with 31.5 carats of VS1 diamonds.  Davis must forfeit the firearms and ammunition.

    The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

    For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI, the SBA-OIG, and the Baltimore County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley, who is prosecuting the case.  He also recognized the assistance of the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber and Paralegal Specialist Juliette Jarman. 

    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement from Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen on the One-Year Anniversary of the Mass Shooting in Lewiston, Maine

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

    On the heels of tragedy, the people of Lewiston’s strength and resilience are a powerful reminder of the bonds that unite us.

    Today, the men and women of FBI Boston pause to honor and remember the 18 innocent lives that were lost, the survivors, and all their families whose lives have been changed forever.

    On this day, and every day, we carry the memory of those victims with us as we go to work to make our communities safer for all we serve.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: CFAS Hosts Women’s Leadership Symposium

    Source: United States Navy

    Senior personnel from various commands offered over 148 years of cumulative military experience and personal insight into topics including mental health, mentorship and leadership development.
    Cmdr. Mariah Rule, Chief Staff Officer at CFAS, was the lead coordinator and mistress of ceremonies for the event.

    “I firmly believe that even natural leaders have to do a lot of inner work to become a great leader,” said Rule. “A solid foundation of understanding how you want to lead will guide how you think, feel and how you make decisions. These decisions produce action that drives results.”

    The first day of the symposium began with a panel of senior female leaders offering their insight to address the development of leadership styles and skills, moderated by Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Aircraft Handling Shawneequa Joyner.
    Members of the panel discussed how assertive and persuasive leadership styles are perceived in the workplace, and how to mitigate misconceptions of female leadership by keeping an open flow of communication between leadership and junior Sailors.

    “I show up as the person I truly am,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Latisha Sewell. “Be the type of leader that you want to be even if people try to place labels on you.”

    The event continued with topics such as sexual harassment in the workplace, maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a mother, women’s health, and harnessing your warrior wellness by utilizing mental and physical toughness techniques.
    The day concluded with three mental health exercises that were recommended to alleviate stress. The exercises included listening to meditation music while blind folded, aromatherapy, and unprompted drawing.

    The second day of the symposium focused on mentorship and how to be an effective “wingwoman”, which is defined as a woman who uplifts and guides other women personally and professionally.
    Cmdr. Angelina Violante, Executive Officer at USS Green Bay (LPD 20), was a guest speaker who offered her own approach to actively being a wingwoman for Sailors.

    “I really strive to maintain that supportive, open and empathetic attitude,” said Violante. “Wingwomen are there to guide, lead and set an example.”
    To lead by example is how many other women are able to embody what it means to be an exceptional female leader.

    Being a trailblazer as a female leader was nothing new for Rear Adm. Ryoko Azuma, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Director of Training, National Defense Academy of Japan, who spoke about “being first”. Throughout her career, Azuma paved the way for women as she became the first woman in 20 years to command a Japanese naval squadron.

    “I don’t think about being a woman,” said Azuma. “I will concentrate my energy on fulfilling my duties as a commander.”
    Azuma gave thorough insight into her backstory and provided Sailors the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to her experience as a woman of firsts.
    “I want to devote myself to becoming a person who will inspire others,” said Azuma.

    Mentorship was also highlighted as a focal point, emphasizing how impactful mentorship amongst men and women is.
    A panel, composed of male senior leadership, gave greater insight of their experiences with female mentorship.
    “I’ve been around female leaders, as a former Yeoman, my whole career,” said Command Master Chief Lance H. Burfict, assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11(CPR 11). I have been mentored by some of the top female leaders and have gotten to this point because they have poured in to me.”

    The symposium then segued into speed mentorship where senior leadership had the opportunity to spend about two to five minutes to connect and share advice with sailors seeking mentorship.
    Afterwards, Rule concluded the symposium with an appreciative acknowledgement of all who attended and participated in the women’s leadership symposium.
    “I’m so impressed with the diverse turnout that we had every single day,” said Rule. “It speaks volumes to the leadership here, and how committed we are to leadership development and mentorship to our Sailors.”

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Chair of the NATO Military Committee: ‘Finland will never again navigate the darkness alone.’

    Source: NATO

    On 24 and 25 October 2024 Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Bauer visited Finland, upon the invitation of its Chief of Defence General Janne Jaakkola. Admiral Bauer’s visit underscored the value of Finland as a NATO Ally and the important contributions it provides to NATO’s deterrence and defence.

    On Thursday 24 October, Admiral Bauer visited the Guards Jaeger Regiment and met with Finnish Defence Support Association members. This gave the opportunity to engage with members and meet current Finnish conscripts.

    In the evening, Admiral Bauer addressed the Finnish National Defence Course Association. This association brings together leaders from across society Finnish society who complete a prestigious national course covering in-depth topics of security and defence. Admiral Bauer’s speech praised the spirit of resilience engraved in Finland’s national defence and emphasised what NATO can learn from Finland’s Comprehensive Security Strategy and Total Defence Concept. 

    Admiral Bauer took the opportunity to discuss Finland’s transition to NATO membership, and looked ahead to the future of its membership in the Alliance. The Chair of the NATO Military Committee stated “Finland’s movement into NATO is a transition, not a transformation. It is an opportunity to inspire Allies, whilst embracing a posture of international resilience. I urge you all to hold the spirit of ‘sisu’ as a firebrand leading the way as you carve out this new path. Knowing that there are friends on either side. And that you need never again navigate the darkness alone.”

    On Friday 25 October, Admiral Bauer met with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, Minister of Defence Anti Häkkänen and the Finnish Parliamentary Defence Committee. These engagements allowed Admiral Bauer the opportunity to discuss strategic developments in NATO’s deterrence and defence and the need for continued support for Ukraine. In his engagements with the Finnish political and military leadership, Admiral Bauer praised the strength that Finland’s membership brings to NATO. Admiral Bauer commended the synergy of Finland’s civilian and military infrastructures and sectors in contributing towards societal resilience. He also underscored the crucial role of defence industries in Allied deterrence and defence.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for $30M COVID-19 Unemployment Fraud Scheme and Firearms Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    A Georgia woman was sentenced yesterday for her role in a scheme to defraud the Georgia Department of Labor (GaDOL) out of tens of millions of dollars in benefits meant to assist unemployed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Tyshion Nautese Hicks, 32, of Vienna, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. Hicks’ total sentence includes a penalty of three consecutive years in prison, imposed yesterday in relation to a separate charge of illegal possession of a machine gun prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

    According to court documents and evidence presented in court, from March 2020 through November 2022, Hicks and her co-conspirators caused more than 5,000 fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims to be filed with the GaDOL, resulting in at least $30 million in stolen benefits.

    “In one of the largest COVID fraud schemes ever prosecuted, the defendant and her coconspirators filed more than 5,000 fraudulent COVID unemployment insurance claims using stolen identities and unlawfully obtained more than $30 million in benefits,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “In doing so, the defendant and her co-conspirators exploited a program designed to alleviate pandemic-related economic hardship to enrich themselves at the expense of federal taxpayers. Yesterday’s sentence underscores the department’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who steal from the public fisc.”

    To execute the scheme, Hicks and others created fictitious employers and fabricated lists of purported employees using personally identifiable information (PII) from thousands of identity theft victims and filed fraudulent unemployment insurance claims on the GaDOL website. The co-conspirators obtained PII for use in the scheme from a variety of sources, including by paying an employee of an Atlanta-area health care and hospital network to unlawfully obtain patients’ PII from the hospital’s databases, and by purchasing PII from other sources over the internet. Using victims’ PII, Hicks and her co-conspirators caused the stolen UI funds to be disbursed via prepaid debit cards mailed to addresses of their choice, many of which were in and around Cordele and Vienna. Hicks additionally paid a local U.S. Postal Service (USPS) carrier to unlawfully divert mail containing debit cards loaded with over $512,000 in fraud proceeds to her and coached another co-conspirator on how to create her own fictitious employer account via Facebook Messenger.

    In February, Hicks pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Seven of Hicks’ co-conspirators have previously pleaded guilty or been sentenced in the investigation.

    “Tyshion Nautese Hicks and her co-conspirators used the stolen PII of unwitting victims to file numerous fraudulent claims for UI benefits with the Georgia Department of Labor,” said Special Agent in Charge Mathew Broadhurst of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) Southeast Regional Office. “We will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to safeguard UI benefit programs for those who need them.”

    “The sentence received by the defendant is the outcome of IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who attempt to defraud various agencies by filing fraudulent claims using another person’s identifying information,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office.

    “Postal Inspectors will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable for engaging in fraudulent schemes to manipulate the COVID-19 program for their own financial gain,” said Inspector in Charge Tommy D. Coke of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Atlanta Division. “The sentencing should serve as a deterrence and shows that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

    “Yesterday’s sentencing underlines our commitment to holding those who exploit federal relief programs for personal gain accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the USPS Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG). “As proven in this case, our criminal investigators along with our law enforcement partners will work together and diligently pursue anyone who attempts to exploit programs created to help legitimate people and businesses affected by the global pandemic.”

    “Hicks chose to commit fraud, further depleting limited funds designated to help individuals struggling to survive during the pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Frederick D. Houston of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Atlanta Field Office. “She and her co-conspirators also stole the personally identifiable information, caring only about self-enrichment, not the lives adversely affected. This case signifies our commitment to protect citizens and businesses from fraud and identity theft. We will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute those who abuse these programs.”

    “Homeland Security Investigations will aggressively pursue those who exploit unemployment benefits meant for those in need, ensuring that justice is served, and resources are preserved for legitimate claimants,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Office.

    “Yesterday’s sentencing sends a clear message that those committing fraud will be held accountable,” said Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari of the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). “DHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners will continue to prioritize protecting our country from these kinds of schemes.”

    DOL-OIG, IRS-CI, USPS-OIG, USPIS, USSS, HSI, and DHS-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Lyndie Freeman, Siji Moore, Matthew Kahn, and Andrew Jaco of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the fraud case.

    On May 17, 2021, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Justice Department 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 www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Attorney Announces Election Officer for the District of Arizona

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

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – United States Attorney Gary M. Restaino announced today that Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Sean Lokey will lead the efforts of his Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Lokey has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer for the District of Arizona, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington. Lokey has served in this role since the 2020 election cycle.

    United States Attorney Restaino stated: “It takes a village to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot easily and efficiently, without interference or discrimination, and with confidence their vote will be counted. This Office and our federal partners have worked collaboratively with Arizona state and local law enforcement, state and local elections officials, and other first responders of democracy like All Voting is Local, the Arizona State Bar and the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory Council, preparing for a smooth and safe election. We thank the many civic leaders who have sat with us in educational panels, tabletop exercises, and security discussions.”

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

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

    “Democracy demands action to protect voters’ rights, and to disrupt the efforts of those individuals and entities who seek to deny those rights,” said U.S. Attorney Restaino. “In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Lokey will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 602-514-7516.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public by phone at 623-466-1999 or online at https://tips.fbi.gov/.

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

    “Ensuring free and fair elections takes a commitment from all Americans,” noted United States Attorney Restaino. “It is important that those who have knowledge about barriers to voting rights or of specific instances of fraud by individual voters make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

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

    RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-139_Arizona-General-Election

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    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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO tests integration of joint high-end maritime strike capabilities

    Source: NATO

    On 24 October 2024, NATO kicked-off “Neptune Strike 2024.” This enhanced vigilance activity will take place across Europe, from the central Mediterranean and Adriatic up to the North and Baltic Seas and will run until 31 October 2024. During this period, NATO will take operational control of cutting-edge maritime warfare capabilities from numerous Allies, including multiple aircraft carriers and expeditionary strike groups that will be deployed across several operational domains.

    In total, some 20 surface vessels and submarines, along with special operations forces and numerous aircraft, are participating, with around 15.000 supporting personnel. Participating nations to this NATO deployment include Albania, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, a powerful demonstration of Allies’ ability to work together through NATO to deter and defend.

    Read more from Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum

    Read more from Naval Striking and Support Forces

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Around the Air Force: Test Pilot School Gets Super Tucano, Planning for Mobility Guardian 25, Global Household Goods Contract Program

    Source: United States Air Force

    In this week’s look around the Air Force, three A-29 Super Tucanos join the Air Force Test Pilot School fleet, allies and partners prepare for next summer’s Mobility Guardian 25, and the new Global Household Goods Contract program rolls out.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: General Counsel of the Navy Recognized for Port Chicago Sailor Exoneration Efforts

    Source: United States Navy

    In the aftermath of the 1944 explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California, white officers were granted leave while African-American Sailors were compelled to return to work. When 258 Sailors refused to handle ammunition, they were subsequently convicted in a summary and general courts-martial.

    A comprehensive examination of both trials revealed significant legal errors in the proceedings that compromised the fairness of the trials, which include the defendants being improperly tried together despite conflicting interests and being denied a meaningful right to counsel. Additionally, the courts-martial took place before the Navy’s Court of Inquiry finalized its report on the explosion.

    Following the Navy’s review, Secretary Del Toro officially exonerated the remaining 256 defendants from the 1944 courts-martial. General Counsel Coffey led the legal review efforts and was honored with the “Port Chicago Exoneration Champion Award” from Contra Costa Justice for All for his instrumental contribution to the Sailors’ exoneration.

    General Counsel Coffey’s dedication and expertise were crucial in uncovering that the conduct of the Port Chicago courts-martial were fundamentally unfair and did not result in just outcomes for the defendants or the Navy. This decision demonstrates the Department of the Navy’s commitment to correcting historical injustices and ensuring all service members are treated fairly and equitably.

    If any family members of the defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial would like to reach out to the Department of the Navy for future notifications on the topic or more information, please reach out to PortChicago@us.navy.mil, or 703-697-5342.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney ’s Office and FBI Charge Mescalero Man with Sexual Assault of a Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man has been charged by criminal complaint with multiple counts of sexual abuse for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

    Thomas Lee Chaffins, 35, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, appeared before a federal judge on October 10 and was detained pending trial.

    According to the criminal complaint, on September 27, 2024, Chaffins engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe. At 15 years old, Jane Doe was legally unable to consent to sexual activity with the 35-year-old Chaffins. Additionally, Jane Doe was reportedly too intoxicated to recall details of the assault, further rendering her incapable of consent.

    If convicted, Chaffins 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 Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Alyson Hehr are prosecuting the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: National Guardsman Arrested and Charged for Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Master Sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in Sandwich, Mass. has been arrested and charged for allegedly possessing and distributing child pornography.  

    Nicholas Wells, 43, was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography. Wells was arrested yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, agreed to voluntarily detention pending trial without prejudice.  

    According to the charging documents, Wells engaged in chats on a messaging application, in which he allegedly discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. It is alleged that, following search warrants for Wells’ messaging application account and home, over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography were located on Wells’ phone, along with evidence that Wells allegedly distributed over 70 videos depicting child pornography.

    The charge of possessing child pornography provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000.  The charge of distributing child pornography provides for a sentence of at leave five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court 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 and Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Sandwich Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Stoughton Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A member of a nationwide drug trafficking ring was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking charges. During the investigation, over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. An illegal marijuana grow operation with hundreds of marijuana plants was also dismantled.

    James Holyoke, 43, of Stoughton, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 14 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. In August 2022, Holyoke pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, as well as to six counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

    Holyoke was charged along with seven others in July 2021 and was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment that added an additional three defendants in September 2021.  Holyoke was arrested in August 2021 and has remained in custody since that arrest.

    In late 2020, Reshat Alkayisi was identified as a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker, who distributed multi-pound quantities to customers throughout the New England area. Holyoke was identified as one of Alkayisi’s regular large-scale distributors who routinely purchased methamphetamine and redistributed it throughout the Boston area. As part of the investigation, Holyoke participated in 11 controlled purchases of methamphetamine from a cooperating witness. Those controlled purchases resulted in the seizure of over four kilograms of pure methamphetamine.

    Alkayisi pleaded guilty in April 2024 and in September 2024 sentenced to 23 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Holyoke is the 9th defendant to be sentenced in the case. All remaining defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction; Norfolk County Sherriff’s Office; and Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown and Waltham Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Lynn Man Charged with Multiple Drug Offenses After Selling Drugs to an Undercover Officer

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant was on probation for armed robbery when he sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer

    BOSTON – A Lynn man was arraigned Oct. 22, 2024 in connection to an ongoing investigation of fentanyl counterfeit pills containing methamphetamine.

    Ricardo Bratini-Perez, a/k/a “Rico,” a/k/a “Ricofromthesin,” 29, was arraigned on four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, fentanyl analog, and methamphetamine, and one count possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bratini-Perez on Oct. 3, 2024.

    According to court records, Bratini-Perez was on probation following his release from state custody on armed robbery and firearm charges. While on probation, Bratini-Perez sold fentanyl and methamphetamine to an undercover officer on three occasions in March 2024 and April 2024. On April 8, 2024, Bratini-Perez was arrested following a fourth sale to the undercover officer. Following his arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at Bratini-Perez’s residence and recovered over 5,000 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. 
        
    The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court 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; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Ocala Man Arrested For Attempting To Transfer Obscene Material To A Minor

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the  unsealing of an indictment charging Nicholas Robert Davis (30, Ocala) with attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. 

    According to court documents, during an undercover operation on July 24, 2024, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent posed online as a 13-year-old girl (UC) and received a message on an online social media platform from Davis. After learning the UC’s age, Davis and an undercover detective from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, also posing as the minor, had a video call. Davis exposed his genitalia to the detective during the call and, afterward, engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with the UC. He also sent the UC a video of himself masturbating.  

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

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two men charged with murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Two men will appear in court charged with the murder of Ahmed Deen-Jah who died after being stabbed in east London in 2017.

    [D] Lekan Akinsoji – 26 (15.01.98) of no fixed abode and [E] Sundjata Keita – 26 (11.03.98) of St Margaret’s Court, E12 will appear at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 26 October.

    Both were arrested on Friday, 25 October.

    Ahmed died after being attacked in Freemasons Road, Custom House on 2 April 2017.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Tantallon — Police charge three people and seize weapons following search

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The RCMP and HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has charged three people and seized firearms and crossbows after executing a search warrant at a Tantallon residence.

    On October 23, officers from the Special Enforcement Section of the Integrated CID, assisted by the RCMP’s Emergency Response Team and the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 12700 block of Peggy’s Cove Rd as part of an ongoing investigation. Three people were safely arrested at the residence.

    During the search, officers located two prohibited firearms, a restricted firearm, ammunition, and four crossbows.

    Jedidiah Lewis Langille, 30, and Trena Whittier, 54, both of Tantallon, and Dean Richardson, 51, of Glen Haven have been charged with 26 criminal code offences. The firearms and weapons related offences include, but are not limited to:

    • Possession of a Prohibited Firearm
    • Possessing a Firearm for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Possessing a Weapon (crossbow) for a Dangerous Purpose
    • Possessing a Loaded Restricted or Prohibited Firearm
    • Possessing a firearm obtained by the commission of an offence

    Langille faces an additional 16 charges related to an existing court-ordered firearms prohibition, including but not limited to:

    • Possessing a Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
    • Possessing a Crossbow Contrary to Prohibition Order
    • Possession Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order

    Langille and Richardson were held in custody and appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on October 24, 2024.

    Whittier was released from custody to appear in Halifax Provincial Court on December 17, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: U.S. Naval Forces Participate in Republic of Korea Multi-National Mine Warfare Exercise

    Source: United States Navy

    Part of an annual series of exercises hosted by the ROK Navy, MNMIWEX 24 increased proficiency in mine countermeasures (MCM) operations within a multi-national naval force.

    This year’s iteration had 19 nations and approximately 100 personnel participating, making MNMIWEX 24 the largest of the series to be held.

    “I was grateful for the opportunity to work with our hosts, the ROK Navy, and our partner nations and allies,” said Capt. Antonio Hyde, commodore of Mine Counter Measures Squadron (MCMRON) Seven, which belongs to Task Force 76, U.S. 7th Fleet’s expeditionary warfare force. “This multi-national training refines how we operate in a complex maritime environment to maintain open sea-lanes and freedom of navigation for all countries in the region.”

    MCM forces from the U.S., Australia, Canada and New Zealand embarked the tank landing ship ROKS Cheon Wang Bong (LST 686), which teamed with the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) to conduct mine hunting operations during the eight-day at-sea phase.

    A multinational watch floor directed MNMIWEX operations ashore. This facilitated a command structure that promoted interchangeability and helped build the capacity of multinational MCM forces to operate effectively as a team.

    “Through this exercise, we improve our abilities to carry out multinational mine operations to protect major ports and sea lines of communication from the complex threats of enemy in case of emergency,” said Capt. Lee Taek-sun, commander of ROK Navy Mine Squadron 52. “We will continue to develop the combat capabilities necessary for mine warfare and further improve mine operation abilities and procedures with multinational forces.”

    MNIMIWEX 24 featured participants from the United States, Republic of Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, Italy, Greece, Türkiye, Thailand, Belgium, Malaysia, Oman, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Chile and the Netherlands.

    The exercise took place in U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, which routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense Contractor Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Fraud, Money Laundering, and Unlawful Export of Technical Data

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

    Yuksel Senbol, 36, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering, conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, violating the Export Control Reform Act, and violating the Arms Export Control Act. As part of her sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $275,430.90, the proceeds of Senbol’s fraud and money laundering scheme. Senbol entered pleaded guilty on May 7.

    According to facts taken from public filings, beginning in approximately April 2019, Senbol operated a front company in the Middle District of Florida called Mason Engineering Parts LLC. She used this front company to assist her co-conspirators, Mehmet Ozcan and Onur Simsek, to fraudulently procure contracts to supply critical military components to the Department of Defense. These components were intended for use in the Navy Nimitz and Ford Class Aircraft Carriers, Navy Submarines, Marine Corps Armored Vehicles, and Army M-60 Series Tank and Abrahams Battle Tanks, among other weapons systems.

    To fraudulently procure the government contracts, Senbol and her co-conspirators falsely represented to the U.S. government and U.S. military contractors that Mason Engineering Parts LLC was a vetted and qualified manufacturer of military components, when in fact, the parts were being manufactured by Ozcan and Simsek in Turkey. As Senbol knew, Simsek’s involvement had to be concealed from the U.S. government because he had been debarred from contracting with the U.S. government after being convicted of a virtually identical scheme in the Southern District of Florida.

    In order to enable Ozcan and Simsek to manufacture the components in Turkey, Senbol assisted them in obtaining sensitive, export-controlled drawings of critical U.S. military technology. Using software that allowed Ozcan to remotely control her computer — and thus evade security restrictions that limited access to these sensitive military drawings to computers within the United States — Senbol knowingly facilitated the illegal export of these drawings. She did so despite having executed numerous agreements promising to safeguard the drawings from unlawful access or export, and in spite of the clear warnings on the face of each drawing that it could not be exported without obtaining a license.

    Once Ozcan and Simsek manufactured the components in Turkey, they shipped them to Senbol, who repackaged them — making sure to remove any reference to their Turkish origin. The conspirators then lied about the origin of the parts to the U.S. government and a U.S. government contractor to receive payment for the parts. Senbol then laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in criminal proceeds back to Turkey through international wire transfers.

    This scheme continued until uncovered and disrupted by federal investigators. Parts supplied by Senbol were tested by the U.S. military and were determined not to conform with product specifications. Many of the components supplied to the U.S. military by Senbol were “critical application items,” meaning that failure of these components would have potentially rendered the end system inoperable.

    Alleged co-conspirators Mehmet Ozcan and Onur Simsek are fugitives.

    The General Services Administration, Office of Inspector General; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security; Air Force Office of Special Investigations; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; and Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Lindsey Schmidt for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Stephen Marzen of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Section are prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Southey — Southey RCMP investigating fatal collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    October 24, 2024
    Southey, Saskatchewan

    News release

    On October 23, 2024 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Southey RCMP received a report of a collision on Highway #6 approximately 10 kilometres north of Regina.

    Officers immediately responded. The driver of one of the vehicles was declared deceased by EMS at the scene. He has been identified as a 35-year-old man from Piapot First Nation. An adult male passenger was taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

    The adult male driver of the other vehicle was transported to hospital with injuries described as serious in nature.

    Highway #6 was closed during initial investigation but has since re-opened. Southey RCMP continues to investigate with the assistance of a Saskatchewan RCMP collision reconstructionist.

    –30–

    Backgrounder

    Southey RCMP: motorists can expect delays on Highway #6

    Southey RCMP are currently at the scene of a serious collision on Highway #6 about 10 kilometers north of Regina, SK.

    The highway is currently closed and detours are in place. Motorists should expect delays.

    Please slow down as you approach the area and follow the directions of emergency personnel on scene.

    As this investigation is in preliminary stages, we do not have additional details to share at this time.

    Please visit the Highway Hotline for road closure updates.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Coldbrook — Missing youth: Help the RCMP find Tyson Taylor

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    October 25, 2024, Coldbrook, Nova Scotia… Kings District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 15-year-old Tyson Taylor.

    Tyson is described as 5-foot-11, 175 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. Investigators believe he may be in the Berwick area.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tyson Taylor is asked to contact Kings District RCMP at 902-679-5555. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

    File #: 2024-1568992

    –30–

    Sgt. Deepak Prasad

    Public Information Officer
    Nova Scotia RCMP
    rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Reaches Settlement for Over $100M in Civil Lawsuit Against Owner and Operator of the Vessel That Destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Settlement Will Cover Federal Costs Incurred to Restore Access to the Port of Baltimore

    The Justice Department announced today that Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the Singaporean corporations that owned and operated the Motor Vessel DALI, have agreed to pay $101,980,000 to resolve a civil claim brought by the United States for costs borne in responding to the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.  

    The settlement resolves the United States’ claims for civil damages for $103,078,056 under the Rivers and Harbors Act, Oil Pollution Act, and general maritime law. The settlement monies will go to the U.S. Treasury and to the budgets of several federal agencies directly affected by the allision or involved in the response.

    “Nearly seven months after one of the worst transportation disasters in recent memory, which claimed six lives and caused untold damage, we have reached an important milestone with today’s settlement,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Thanks to the hard work of the Justice Department attorneys since day one of this disaster, we were able to secure this early settlement of our claim, just over one month into litigation. This resolution ensures that the costs of the federal government’s cleanup efforts in the Fort McHenry Channel are borne by Grace Ocean and Synergy and not the American taxpayer.”

    “This is a tremendous outcome that fully compensates the United States for the costs it incurred in responding to this disaster and holds the owner and operator of the DALI accountable,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The prompt resolution of this matter also avoids the expense associated with litigating this complex case for potentially years.”

    In the early morning hours of March 26, the Motor Vessel DALI left the Port of Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka. While navigating through the Fort McHenry Channel, the vessel lost power, regained power, and then lost power again before striking the bridge. The bridge collapsed and plunged into the water below, tragically killing six people. In addition to this heartbreaking loss of life, the wreck of the DALI and the remains of the bridge were left to obstruct the navigable channel, bringing all shipping into and out of the Port of Baltimore to a standstill. The loss of the bridge also severed a critical highway in the transportation infrastructure and blocked a key artery for local commuters.

    The United States led the response efforts of dozens of federal, state, and local agencies to remove about 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt from the channel and from the DALI itself. While removal operations were underway, the United States set up temporary channels to start relieving the bottleneck at the port and mitigate some of the economic devastation caused by the DALI. The Fort McHenry Channel was cleared by June 10, and the Port of Baltimore was once again open for commercial navigation.

    On Sept. 18, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeking over $100 million in damages from Grace Ocean and Synergy. The Department’s claim was part of a legal action that the vessel companies filed shortly after the tragedy, in which they seek exoneration or limitation of their liability to approximately $43.7 million. Today’s settlement is in addition to $97,294 recently paid by Grace Ocean  to the Coast Guard National Pollution Fund Center for costs incurred to abate the threat of oil pollution arising from the incident.  

    The settlement does not include any damages for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State of Maryland built, owned, maintained, and operated the bridge, and attorneys on the state’s behalf filed their own claim for those damages. Pursuant to the governing regulation, funds recovered by the State of Maryland for reconstruction of the bridge will be used to reduce the project costs paid for in the first instance by federal tax dollars.

    The resolution of the civil matter was handled by attorneys from the Civil Division’s Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Murdered Fellow Soldier on Military Base in Germany Sentenced to Prison

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    A former U.S. soldier was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for the murder of a pregnant, 19-year-old fellow soldier on a U.S. Army base in Germany over 22 years ago.

    On May 7, a jury in Pensacola, Florida, found Shannon L. Wilkerson, 44, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Amanda Gonzales.

    According to court documents, Wilkerson beat and strangled Amanda Gonzales to death on Nov. 3, 2001, in her barracks room at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany. Evidence introduced at trial indicated that Wilkerson feared he was the father of Gonzales’ unborn child and that her pregnancy would interfere with his military career and his marriage to another soldier on the base. Wilkerson was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces at the time of the offense but was later discharged.

    “Shannon Wilkerson brutally murdered Amanda Gonzales, a fellow soldier who Wilkerson knew was pregnant at the time,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “While nothing we can do will reunite Amanda with her family, we hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure and comfort to Amanda’s loved ones. I am proud of the dedicated and hardworking members of the Criminal Division and our law enforcement partners, who are committed to pursuing justice for victims of violent crime, no matter how challenging that pursuit may be.”

    “The murder of Amanda Gonzales and her unborn child was a horrific act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida. “This decades-long investigation and resulting prosecution demonstrate the unwavering resolve of our law enforcement partners and their commitment to obtain justice for the victims and their family. The defendant took the life of a 19-year-old woman serving her country far from home — knowing that he was killing her unborn child. The sentence acknowledges the brutal, selfish nature of his crime and imposes just punishment.”

    “Justice for victims is not just a promise, it’s a commitment, no matter how long it takes,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This sentencing comes just as Amanda Gonzales’ family will mark 23 years since she and her unborn child were brutally murdered by Shannon Wilkerson on Nov. 3, 2001. While no amount of prison time will bring the young Army solider back, we hope this will close another chapter in the Gonzales family’s grieving process.”

    The FBI New York and Jacksonville Field Offices investigated this case, with assistance from the Army Criminal Investigative Division, which originally investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Goldberg for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department and Department of Transportation Launch Broad Public Inquiry into the State of Competition in Air Travel

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Agencies Seek Information on Consolidation, Anticompetitive Conduct and a Wide Range of Issues Impacting the Availability and Affordability of Air Travel Options

    The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Department of Transportation (DOT) today jointly announced a broad public inquiry into the state of competition in air travel. The agencies are seeking public information on consolidation, anticompetitive conduct and a wide range of issues affecting the availability and affordability of air travel options. The topics covered in the agencies’ joint Request for Information (RFI) include previous airline mergers, exclusionary conduct, airport access, aircraft manufacturing, airline ticket sales, pricing and rewards practices and the experiences of aviation workers.

    “Competition in air travel is a vehicle for better quality, better fares and better choices for Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “With this inquiry, we hope to learn more from the businesses and travelers at the center of this essential industry. Their feedback will ensure the Justice Department can continue to build on its historic efforts to protect competition in air travel.”

    “Americans count on air travel to visit loved ones, explore their country and get business done,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Good service and fair prices depend on ensuring that there is real competition, which is especially challenging for the many American communities that have lost service amid airline consolidation. Our goal with this inquiry is to identify and remove barriers to competition so that more Americans can access the opportunities that come with good, affordable air service.”

    The agencies jointly issued the RFI requesting public comments explaining how the air travel industry has been impacted by consolidation and anticompetitive practices and identifying ways to address any harms to competition. Key topics in the RFI include:

    • General state of competition in the aviation sector and its effects on passengers, workers and jobs, regions and local communities and economic growth.
    • Airline consolidation and the effects of previous mergers, common ownership, joint ventures, international alliances, structural advantages, exclusionary conduct and other anticompetitive practices.
    • Airport access and its impact on airlines and their ability to enter and fairly compete in different areas of the country and the world.
    • Aircraft manufacturing and the impact of consolidation and anticompetitive practices on new aircraft manufacture and sale, aircraft leases or secondary markets for used aircraft.
    • Air transportation sales channels, pricing and airline rewards programs and the impact on the availability, access and affordability of air travel.
    • Labor market issues and the effects of consolidation and anticompetitive practices in other parts of the aviation industry on pilots, in-flight crews, ground crews, airport services, union contracts and/or travel agents or other vendors of travel services.

    The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than Dec. 23. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov. All market participants are invited to provide comments in response to this RFI, including passengers, consumer advocates, pilots, in-flight and ground crews, airport authorities, employers, airlines, private and charter aircraft operators, travel agents, trade groups, industry analysts, purchasers of corporate travel services and other entities that provide or rely upon air travel services.

    The Antitrust Division has previously taken action to protect competition in the passenger air travel industry, including its successful lawsuits to block the proposed merger of JetBlue and Spirit Airlines and to unwind the anticompetitive Northeast Alliance between JetBlue and American Airlines.

    DOT has taken historic action to improve airline passenger rights and oversight of the airline industry. Most recently, prior to the close of the Alaska-Hawaiian Airlines merger, DOT secured binding, enforceable public-interest protections aimed at preventing harms to the traveling public, rural communities and smaller airline competitors. DOT has issued new rules requiring airlines to provide automatic cash refunds when owed and protecting against costly surprise airline junk fees. DOT has also secured enforceable guarantees from airlines to provide food, lodging and other support when they strand passengers. Finally, since 2021, DOT has gotten nearly $4 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to passengers and issued nearly $225 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection and civil rights violations.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: China-Based Chemical Manufacturing Companies and Employees Indicted for Alleged Fentanyl Manufacturing and Distribution

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Today, the Justice Department announced the unsealing of indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight employees charging federal crimes, including attempted distribution of synthetic opioids and precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, and money laundering. The indictments were filed under seal in the Middle District of Florida over the past year.

    “Today, the Justice Department announced charges against eight China-based companies and eight individuals we allege are responsible for trafficking precursor chemicals that cartels use to manufacture lethal fentanyl,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies based in China. In order to break this critical link in the fentanyl supply chain, the Justice Department has aggressively investigated and prosecuted these companies. We will continue to target every organization and individual that fuels the deadly drug trade.”

    As described in the unsealed indictments, the defendants openly advertised their ability to thwart border officials and deliver the synthetic opioids or the chemicals used to make fentanyl to the Middle District of Florida and elsewhere in the United States. The defendants deliberately engaged in evasive activities, such as mislabeling the contents of shipments to ensure the illicit chemicals and controlled substances went undetected. As a result, these companies were able to sell a stable supply of precursor chemicals to clients in Mexico and the United States for years. One of the companies even represented that every month it sends “more than 20 kilograms to the United States, Africa, Canada, and other countries.” 

    “Today’s indictments against eight China-based chemical companies and eight Chinese nationals are further evidence of DEA’s unwavering commitment to disrupt every aspect of the global fentanyl supply chain,” said Administrator Anne Milgram of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “For the third time in over a year, DEA investigations have resulted in charges against chemical companies and individuals in China who we allege are supplying chemicals to the cartels to make deadly fentanyl. While they may go to great lengths to try to evade our detection, DEA will use every tool and authority we have to save American lives.”

    The indictments target the evolving tactics of drug traffickers, who often adapt to tightening restrictions on the production and sale of fentanyl. For example, when China banned the production of fentanyl in 2019, China-based companies began producing and selling fentanyl precursors, the ingredients needed to manufacture the drug. These China-based companies distribute fentanyl precursors throughout the world, including to the United States and to Mexico, where drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación combine the chemicals into fentanyl and other synthetic opioids that they then distribute throughout the United States and the rest of the world.

    “These indictments are part of our continuing commitment to the protection of our country from the deadly scourge of fentanyl,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “Along with our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, we will be relentless in our pursuit of China-based chemical companies and their employees who are knowingly manufacturing and exporting fentanyl precursors that cause thousands of deaths every year in the United States.”

    The Justice Department acknowledges the efforts of the People’s Republic of China, Ministry of Public Security. The following indicted companies are now out of operation: Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., and Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology.

    In addition, the People’s Republic of China has recently scheduled three key chemicals, which in turn provides additional tools for the People’s Republic of China to regulate the chemicals’ production and distribution. DEA Administrator Milgram said, “I would also like to recognize the work done by the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Public Security in taking action to schedule protonitazene, piperidone, and 1-BOC-4-AP, which were not scheduled at the time of these investigations, but have now been scheduled.”

    The DEA investigated the cases.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Chee, David Pardo, Lauren Stoia, and Adam McCall and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Haynes for the Middle District of Florida are prosecuting the cases.

    These cases are part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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 www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Case Summaries

    In January, Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co. Ltd., based in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Chinese national Xiaojun Huang, who allegedly maintained a Bitcoin wallet for the remittance of payments for illicit synthetic opioids on the company’s behalf.

    In January, Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Zhihan Wang, who was the alleged registered owner of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company utilized to complete the sale of fentanyl precursors.

    In November 2023, Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical, based in Beijing, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, along with Ji Zhaohui, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co. Ltd, based in Tianjin, Hebei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors, along with Wenxing Gao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged registered agent of Tianjin Furuntongda and the owner of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In November 2023, Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co. Ltd., based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene, attempted importation of a fentanyl precursor, and attempted international money laundering, along with Wenying Nie, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of a Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In January, Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology, based in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors and attempted international money laundering, along with Chinese national Huanhuan Song, who was the alleged recipient of funds via Western Union on the company’s behalf and the alleged holder of a cryptocurrency wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Henan Oumeng Trade Co. Ltd., based in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Yinxia Zhao, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

    In June, Shanghai Senria New Materials Co. Ltd., doing business as Shanghai Senria Biotechnology Co. Ltd., based in the Fengxian District of Shanghai, China, was charged with attempted importation of protonitazene and attempted international money laundering, along with Zhenbo Han, a Chinese national, who was the alleged holder of the Bitcoin wallet associated with the company.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Secures Agreement to Resolve Claims of Retaliation at State Farm Corporate Office in Texas

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    The Justice Department announced today that it secured a settlement agreement with State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm) resolving the department’s determination that one of State Farm’s corporate offices in Richardson, Texas, violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when it terminated a worker in retaliation for raising concerns about citizenship status discrimination.

    “Workers have the right to oppose perceived discrimination, without retaliation,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to ensuring workers are able to speak up about discrimination without fear of unlawful retaliation.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) determined that State Farm terminated a worker and placed her on a “do not hire” list because the worker opposed State Farm’s rejection of her valid documentation showing her permission to work. State Farm rejected the worker’s valid documentation, which included a Permanent Resident Card together with a notice from the Department of Homeland Security that extended the validity of the card past the expiration date listed on the card. The worker complained of discrimination and opposed the rejection of the documents. The department determined that State Farm retaliated against the worker when it terminated her employment and labeled her as “do not hire” for complaining about the discrimination.

    Under the terms of the settlement, the company will pay civil penalties to the United States and pay more than $30,000 in backpay to the affected worker who filed a complaint with IER. The agreement also requires State Farm to train its personnel on the INA’s anti-discrimination requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements.

    IER is responsible for enforcing the antidiscrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices; or retaliation and intimidation.

    Find more information on how employers can avoid unlawful discrimination and retaliation on IER’s website. Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge. The public can also call IER’s free hotline at 1-800-255-7688 for workers or at 1-800-255-8155 for employers (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email IER@usdoj.gov or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Sign up for email updates from IER.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Admits Role in Smuggling and Labor Trafficking Scheme

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 73, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to a charge stemming from her involvement in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford.  The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez, her co-conspirators in Connecticut, and associates in Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S.  In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico.  They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.

    After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez and her co-coconspirators for rent, food, gas and utilities.  Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area.  In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork without compensation and without having their debt reduced.

    Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt.  If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.

    To date, investigators have identified 18 victims of this scheme.

    Sanchez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for January 16, 2025.

    As part of her plea agreement, Sanchez has agreed to a restitution order of $494,608.

    Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023.

    This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: City Man Sentenced to 12½ Years in Prison for 2022 Armed Robbery of Northeast Philadelphia Store

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

    PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Nafec Pressley, 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Kai N. Scott to 150 months in prison and five years of supervised release for the armed robbery of a store in the city’s Northeast in late 2022.

    Pressley was indicted in March 2023 on one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty to those charges this July.

    On November 20, 2022, at approximately 4:15 p.m., a male employee was waiting on several customers inside a dollar store on the 6900 block of Bustleton Avenue. After the last customer left, Pressley approached the counter and engaged in small talk with the employee. The defendant suddenly walked around the counter, brandished a black semiautomatic pistol, and demanded money from him. The victim opened the cash register and invited Pressley to take the money inside, which amounted to over $300. Pressley pocketed the cash, then demanded that the victim take him upstairs to get more money.

    The victim pleaded with Pressley to leave, finding some more cash by the counter, which he gave to Pressley. When the victim’s wife began to come down the steps from the second floor, Pressley aimed his gun at her, and then back at the male victim. Pressley told the man that he had five seconds to go upstairs and get more money and began to count backwards from five.

    The victim then grabbed his own firearm from behind the counter and he and Pressley exchanged gunfire. Pressley was shot numerous times throughout his body, knocking him backwards and onto the floor. The defendant discharged his pistol multiple times as he fell but did not strike the victim. Pressley ran to the back of the store, then made a dash for the front door. As he fled, he turned and fired at the victim, again missing him.

    A short time later, Pressley was dropped off at an area hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds. Philadelphia police officers who responded to the hospital seized Pressley’s clothing, finding approximately $371 in cash in his pants pocket.

    “Nafec Pressley nearly got himself killed because he’d rather steal money than work for it,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “He’s extremely fortunate he didn’t kill anyone else when he opened fire in that store. My office and our partners at ATF and the Philadelphia Police Department are committed to protecting the public from these violent criminals who prey on others. With Mr. Pressley behind bars for the next decade-plus, our stores, streets, and city are safer.”

    “We will not let violent criminals like Nafec Pressley terrorize Philadelphia’s businesses and communities,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “In this robbery turned shootout it was only by good fortune no one was killed. ATF Philadelphia Field Division has a long history of partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will continue to work tirelessly together to ensure justice for the victims and to make our communities safer.”

    The case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Zaleski.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Spartanburg Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Second Federal Cocaine Trafficking Conviction

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

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. —Maurice Suber, 39, of Spartanburg was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute cocaine.

    Evidence presented to the court showed that since at least 2022, Suber was distributing drugs in the Highlands area of Spartanburg. On Nov. 15, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Suber’s home and multiple firearms and cash were located. Suber had previously been sentenced for conspiracy to distribute cocaine in the same federal courthouse.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Suber to 141 months in federal prison, followed by a court ordered term of supervision. The court also entered an order of forfeiture for $3.8 million dollars. 

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Border Enforcement Security Task Force – Upstate South Carolina, Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and Greenville County Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamie Schoen is prosecuting the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Crime

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

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Tristian Gerrell-Robert Murphy, 35, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 10, 2024, Murphy possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol, found under the driver seat of a vehicle he operated, and a Taurus 9mm pistol found in the trunk in St. Albans. Both firearms were loaded.

    Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Murphy knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony conviction for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on October 21, 2021.

    Murphy is scheduled to be sentenced on February 13, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department and the assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

    United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.

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

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-101.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 256 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) lost the connection to its only remaining 330 kilovolt (kV) back-up power line for a second time this month, once again leaving the facility dependent on one single source of the external electricity it needs for reactor cooling and other key nuclear safety and security functions, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

    The IAEA team stationed at the plant was informed that the power line was disconnected for more than 26 hours between Monday and Tuesday this week due to unspecified damage on the other side of the Dnipro River. It took place three weeks after another disconnection of the same line. In both instances, the ZNPP continued to receive electricity from its sole 750 kV line. Before the military conflict, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant (NPP) had four 750 kV and six 330 kV lines available.

    “What once would have been unthinkable – a major nuclear power plant suffering repeated off-site power cuts – has become a frequent occurrence during this devastating war. The situation is clearly not getting any better in this regard. The nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant remains highly precarious,” Director General Grossi said.

    Underlining the persistent risks, the IAEA team has continued to hear explosions every day over the past week, although no damage to the ZNPP was reported.

    The IAEA team members conducted walkdowns across the site as part of their activities to assess nuclear safety and security at the plant, including observing the testing of an emergency diesel generator (EDG) of reactor unit 4. In meetings with plant staff, they discussed other important topics, such as the modernization of control systems for the site’s EDGs as well as updated procedures related to the ZNPP’s radiation protection programme.

    As a follow up to their visit last week to the cooling tower damaged by a major fire in August, the team members also discussed with the ZNPP how it will assess the extent of the damage, including the selection of an external contractor to carry out this work.

    The IAEA teams present at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict, including air raid alarms for several days over the past week.

    At the South Ukraine NPP, the IAEA team was informed that reactor unit 1 was disconnected from the grid for about four hours on Tuesday evening due to a spurious signal to the unit’s protection systems without the reactor safety systems being activated. The root cause of the event is being investigated. The reactor – one of three at the plant – is again generating power for the grid.

    At the request of Ukraine, an IAEA team is visiting six electrical substations in Ukraine this week, as part of the Agency’s work to assess the status of the electrical grid infrastructure essential to nuclear safety that began in September. During the visits, the team reviews the operational consequences of actual and potential damage to substations which supply off-site power to the country’s NPPs.  

    Reliable access to off-site power is one of the Seven Indispensable Pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict outlined by Director General Grossi two and a half years ago. The safety of operating NPPs is dependent on a stable grid connection, but the situation in this regard has become increasingly precarious in recent months.

    The IAEA already has teams of staff stationed at all of Ukraine’s NPPs who contribute to maintaining nuclear safety and security during the military conflict.

    The IAEA is continuing to implement its comprehensive programme of assistance in support of nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, including by delivering requested equipment. This week, two spectrometry systems enhancing the analytical capabilities of the hydrometeorological organizations of the Ukraine’s State Emergency Service were procured and delivered, funded by Switzerland. It was the 71st equipment delivery to Ukraine, totaling over 12.1 million euro since the start of the armed conflict.

    In addition, the Agency has coordinated the delivery of the two static test benches from the Rivne NPP to the supplier for repair during an outage of reactor unit 2. The repair was funded by Norway. The repair should be completed by the end of April next year, when the repaired test benches will be returned to the plant to enable the unit’s restart. The equipment is used in the nuclear and other industries to stress test components, including hydraulic shock absorbers.

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