NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Investigation Leads to Historic Hate Crime Sentencing

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

    “Every FBI field office has a civil rights program and is responsible for maintaining relationships in their local communities,” said Snead. “At the FBI Headquarters level, the Civil Rights Unit engages with internal partners to build and maintain relationships with national advocacy groups.”

    The Bureau offers resources, forensic expertise, and experience in identification of proof of hate-based motivations. FBI field offices participate in working groups or task forces to develop strategies to address local hate crime problems. And the FBI conducts hundreds of operational seminars, workshops, and annual training sessions for local law enforcement, minority and religious organizations, and community groups.

    “Hate incidents are under reported in South Carolina, and that’s something we’re trying to change through education and relationship building,” said Supervisory Special Agent Craig Januchowski, who supervises FBI Columbia’s Civil Right squad. “One way we’re doing that is through our partnership with the U.S. attorney’s office in the United Against Hate outreach initiative.”

    The United Against Hate community outreach program aims to help people report hate crimes more effectively. The program teaches community members how to spot and report these incidents while also building trust between the public and law enforcement. Participants engage in discussions and real-life examples to understand the importance of reporting acts of hate to local police and the FBI.

    FBI Columbia also provides training to all police recruits at the South Carolina Police Academy. Trainings focuses on hate crimes, civil rights, and public corruption and include sessions where agents educate each graduating class on identifying hate crimes and incidents, as well as the importance of contacting the FBI for further investigation when necessary.

    “The most important thing is trust,” Januchowski said, particularly for individuals who have felt unheard or were once reluctant to reach out for help. “We know we’re only as strong as our relationships, and we’ve made significant strides in bridging those gaps through proactive outreach and education.”

    “Historically, reporting hate crimes is hard,” said Snead. “But it takes work on our end as well. We must be vulnerable and transparent in our relationships with communities.”

    Following this landmark verdict, Snead says the FBI wants members of the LGBTQIA+ community to feel protected and to know the FBI is fighting for their protections. Nothing can erase the pain Doe’s family will endure, but the FBI anticipates this case will be a deterrent to future crimes.

    “We want members of the LGBTQIA+ community to feel heard and to feel comfortable being who they are,” said Snead. “Because no one should be victimized for being who they are.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Prince Albert — Prince Albert RCMP asks public to immediately report sightings of vehicles, suspects involved in robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 17, 2024 at approximately 4:45 p.m., Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a robbery in the RM of Garden River.

    Initial investigation determined two individuals were in a vehicle driving on Garden River Road near Highway #55, northeast of Prince Albert. They approached a vehicle that looked like they were in need of assistance. When they stopped, a male threatened the individuals with a firearm and stole their vehicle.

    No physical injuries were reported by the two individuals.

    Prince Albert RCMP are actively investigating. Prince Albert Police Service received a report of a robbery near Little Red River Park around 5:40 p.m. on October 17. Their investigation determined two individuals were threatened with a firearm and assaulted, then their vehicle was stolen.

    One of the suspect vehicles then struck a vehicle within the City of Prince Albert and fled. No injuries were reported by the occupants of the struck vehicle.

    Investigators believe the incidents may be connected.

    They are asking the public to report all information about these incidents.

    The suspects are described as three males and one female. One male was wearing a red shirt and had many tattoos. Another male was wearing a dark-coloured hoodie.

    They may be driving a red 2005 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck with Saskatchewan license plate 529 ISI or a black 2013 Kia Sportage with Saskatchewan license plate 803 MKY.

    If you see these vehicles or suspects, do not approach them. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Be cautious approaching any unknown or suspicious persons.

    Report information or suspicious persons to Prince Albert RCMP immediately by dialling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or http://www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

    Updates will be provided as they become available. We are monitoring this situation. If investigation determines an imminent risk to public safety exists, we will alert the public.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: VP-10 Participates in Subject Matter Expert Exchange with Royal New Zealand Air Force

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    OHAKEA, New Zealand  –  

    The “Red Lancers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 participated in a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) alongside the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) 5 Squadron, Sept. 21-28.

    SMEEs allow crews to exchange best practices and sharpen the edges of their technical expertise in foreign environments.

    “It was an invaluable experience and incredibly beneficial getting to work alongside our peers in the 5 Squadron” said Lt. Brian DePaola, aircraft commander, VP-10. “Sharing our experiences and skills not only strengthens our partnership but fosters a unified approach to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.”

    The Red Lancer crew conducted multiple briefings, flights, and exchanges with their RNZAF counterparts covering topics ranging from anti-submarine warfare to search and rescue.

    “Search and rescue operations were a particular area that the RNZAF was able to showcase and demonstrate their extensive expertise in,” said DePaola. “Since the U.S. Navy and RNZAF both operate the P-8A Poseidon, the techniques for surveillance and rescue operations were exchanged seamlessly, supporting unified and refined responses to catastrophic events.”

    Among the many opportunities over the seven-day event, the VP-10 crew practiced anti-submarine warfare tactics on an Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT) alongside MH-60Rs from the Royal Australian Navy 816 Squadron and a Royal New Zealand Navy Anzac-class frigate, the HMNZS Te Kaha. This provided invaluable experience for interoperating with allies and partners in both the air and sea domains.

    The Red Lancer crew also participated in community outreach, volunteering at a local animal shelter and helping to build animal enclosures for the Hayward Heights branch of New Zealand’s largest no-kill animal shelter, HUHA (Helping You Help Animals).

    “I can confidently speak for the entire VP-10 detachment in saying that we truly enjoyed the uniqueness and the hospitality that New Zealand had to offer,” said DePaola.

    The “Red Lancers” of VP-10 are based in Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron conducts maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as theater outreach operations, supporting Commander, Task Force 72, U.S. Seventh Fleet, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

    U.S. Seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cow Bay — Man wanted on province-wide arrest warrant

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is seeking information on the whereabouts of a man currently wanted on a province-wide arrest warrant.

    Tyler Charles Boland, 29, from Dartmouth, is wanted and facing charges of Failure to Comply with a Probation Order (two counts), Failure to Comply with a Release Order and Mischief.

    Boland is described as 5-foot-9, 165 lbs. He has dark brown hair and blue eyes.

    Police have made several attempts to locate Boland, and are requesting assistance from the public.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Tyler Charles Boland is asked to refrain from approaching him and to call police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.

    File #: 24-142606

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arctic Aloha concludes with Spartan Brigade jump

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  –  

    Nearly 800 paratroopers assigned to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, conducted a large-scale joint forceable entry operation onto Malemute Drop Zone in Alaskan history for Arctic Aloha as part of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 25-01, Oct. 15, 2024.

    Arctic Aloha, which began on Oct. 7, conducted alongside airmen and flight crews from the Air Force’s 15th, 62nd and 154th Wings, using 12 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, featured airborne operations onto two drop zones in Hawaii and Alaska, to increase interoperability while projecting a combat credible force, and gave 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) paratroopers experience jumping into varied terrain, all key capabilities in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

    “This has been a fantastic exercise for us for a bunch of reasons. First, we get to exercise our ability to rapidly deploy, conduct joint force military operations out of Alaska into INDO-PACOM,” said Col. Jimmy Howell, commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), known as the Spartans.

    The brigade departed Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, conducted a in-flight rig, then executed a JFEO into Transfiguracion drop zone on Big Island to begin Arctic Aloha.

    “Now, for this rotation, which was different than last year, we’re actually part of 25th ID’s rotation… so we jumped about 800 paratroopers, into Transfiguracion drop zone, walked, about 18 miles total uphill, to secure an airfield, Bradshaw Army Airfield,” Howell continued.

    Conducting airborne operations in Hawaii provided the Spartan paratroopers an opportunity to hone their warfighting skills in an ever-changing environment, and Arctic Aloha is a chance to demonstrate the division’s ability to quickly project ready, lethal forces anywhere throughout the Indo-Pacific.

    “One thing I’ll say, these paratroopers can do it all,” explained Howell. “It was about 30 degrees when we left and about 80 degrees in Hawaii, 5000ft elevation total. So that takes a toll, it’s taxing on your body.”

    The Spartan Brigade then occupied a hangar and prepared with the joint force to conduct a subsequent airborne operation back into Alaska.

    The exercise was in support of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 25-01, the 25th Infantry Division’s Combat Training Center rotation at home station. JPMRC facilitates unit readiness in the Indo-Pacific region and allows commanders to train their forces in the unique environments and conditions where they are most likely to campaign or be employed in the event of crisis.

    “So, it takes the entire joint force. They have been planning and preparing for a very long time, but to see the amount of folks that participate in our joint rehearsals, our joint mission briefs, it is it is really at another level,” Howell explained. “And I couldn’t be prouder of my team in the entire joint force for the way that we’re working together.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Steinbach — Steinbach RCMP seize drugs

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 17, 2024, at approximately 10:25 am, Steinbach RCMP executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence on 4th Street in Steinbach.

    The East District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team assisted Steinbach RCMP with a search of the residence.

    Police seized 353 grams of cocaine, 700 grams of illicit cannabis, 343 grams of psilocybin, 168 Gabapentin pills, 192 Tylenol 3s, 30 amphetamine pills, and more than 15,000 unstamped cigarettes. An undisclosed amount of Canadian currency was also seized.

    Tina Perrier, 51, was arrested on scene. She is charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Possessing Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling, Possession of Illicit Cannabis, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000. Perrier has been remanded in custody.

    The investigation continues.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Upshur County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Defrauding Employer

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

    TYLER, Texas – An Upshur County woman has been sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.

    Tamarisk Trejo Mathews, 52, of Big Sandy, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy Kernodle on October 16, 2024.  Mathews was also ordered to pay $334,252.00 in restitution.

    According to information presented in court, Mathews was responsible for accounting duties of a restaurant and music venue in Wood County, Texas.  She worked in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and had access to the financial accounts of the business.  Mathews also had authority to issue invoices to customers and issue checks and other payments to creditors.  Beginning in about December 2018, Mathews devised and began executing a scheme to wrongfully obtain money, funds, and assets under the custody and control of the restaurant.  Among other things, she wrote checks that she was not authorized to write for personal expenditures, made charges in the business’s name from vendors such as Amazon, and used business funds to make purchases through PayPal.  Mathews also opened an American Express account in the name of the business and obtained an American Express credit card. She then used the card and account to make personal purchases and expenditures and paid American Express for those purchases and expenditures using business funds and the business bank account.  The scheme resulted in a loss to the business of $334,252.00.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Twelve Charged with Fentanyl Trafficking in Abilene

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

    Twelve alleged fentanyl traffickers were arrested in a large-scale drug bust in Abilene, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

    The takedown – the second in an operation that previously resulted in the prosecution of 17 drug traffickers arrested during a large-scale bust in late February  – involved agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office –  Abilene Resident Office, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Abilene Police Department, and the Callahan County Sheriff’s Office. 

    Those charged in two separate indictments unsealed today include:

    • Christopher Thompson, charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Marquee Anthony Aboso, aka OC, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Kurtney Bernard Jones, aka KP, charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Steven Lattimore, aka PNut, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Mckenzee Marie Lane, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Maxine Gonzales, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Tylik Ojur Johnson, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Jeremiah Greene, aka Lil Mexico, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Paul Eli Snyder, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Robert Lee Mason, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Glen Edward Lee, Jr., charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl
    • Christopher Anthony Glaze, charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl

    Over the course of the operation into these individuals, agents seized more than 14,856 fentanyl pills, 45.4 grams of heroin, 2.56 grams of meth, and 15.56 grams of crack cocaine, as well as multiple firearms.

    An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    If convicted, some defendants named in these indictments face up to 20 years in federal prison.

    Sixteen of the 17 defendants arrested in February’s takedown have already been convicted. Fourteen have already been sentenced to a combined 187 years in federal prison; two pleaded guilty and await sentencing, and one is awaiting trial. The lead defendant, Diana Perez, deemed responsible for more than 109,221 kilograms of drugs, was sentenced Thursday to more than 24 years in federal prison.  

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office – Abilene Resident Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division, and the IRS – Criminal Investigations. The cases are being prosecuted by the West Texas Branch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

    This prosecution stems from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) instigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transitional criminal organizations that threaten the Untied 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. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Concealed Croatian War Crime Charge Sentenced to Prison for Immigration Fraud

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

    CLEVELAND – An Ohio man was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison for possessing a green card he illegally obtained by concealing that he had been charged with a war crime in Croatia prior to immigrating to the United States.

    According to court documents, Jugoslav Vidic, 56, of Parma Heights, in applying to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, falsely stated that he had never been charged with breaking any law even though he knew he had been charged in Croatia with a war crime against the civilian population. Vidic also falsely stated that his only past military service was in the Yugoslav Army from 1988 to 1989, when, in fact, he fought with the Serb Army of Krajina and its predecessors during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia from 1991 to 1995. As a result of these materially false statements, Vidic was approved for lawful permanent resident status and received a green card.

    “Jugoslav Vidic lied about war crimes charged against him in an attempt to escape his past and live in the United States unlawfully,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Thanks to the dedication of prosecutors, law enforcement, and our international partners, Vidic will serve prison time in the United States followed by his removal. His sentence demonstrates that human rights violators will not be allowed to hide from their crimes in the United States.”

    “Vidic committed serious human rights violations and was convicted of war crimes in Croatia as a result. Yet, he lied to U.S. immigration officials about his conviction and participation in a violent military force to claim refugee status and obtain a green card — becoming a permanent legal resident of our country — when he was not eligible to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “Those who run away from violent crimes they commit elsewhere in the world and then enter our country by brazenly lying about their past will be held to account, as yesterday’s sentence demonstrates. Vidic’s deceitful actions are detestable, and unfairly hurt people in need who legitimately seek refuge to flee real harms in their home countries.”

    “Our communities here in Ohio and across the U.S. are not safe havens for war criminals to escape accountability in their home countries,” said Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “It is my hope that this sentencing provides some measure of solace to the victims’ families with the knowledge that despite the passage of time, the U.S. will seek justice.”

    “Jugoslav Vidic intentionally circumvented the laws of the United States by lying on his green card application about his war crimes conviction in Croatia,” said Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “This case should serve as a warning to others that the FBI will work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable those like Vidic who seek to violate U.S. law by fraud of any kind.”

    “Jugoslav Vidic knowingly avoided the truth of his past to enjoy the freedoms and liberties of the United States for over two and a half decades,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “Yesterday’s sentence underscores the work of the FBI and its local, state, federal, and international partners and sends a clear message that people in the United States who take part in war crimes, regardless of when or where they occurred, or by masking their involvement, will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.”

    Vidic admitted in his plea agreement that he was charged with a war crime in Croatia in 1994 and convicted in absentia in 1998. The Croatian court found that during an attack by ethnic Serb forces in Petrinja, Croatia, on Sept. 16, 1991, Vidic cut off the arm of civilian Stjepan Komes, who died afterward. Vidic further admitted that he knew about the Croatian charges when he immigrated to the United States as a refugee in 1999, applied to become a lawful permanent resident in 2000, and was interviewed by U.S. immigration officials and received his green card in 2005.

    Vidic pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an alien registration receipt card knowing it had been procured through materially false statements. As part of the plea agreement, Vidic agreed to the entry of a judicial order of removal from the United States.

    HSI and the FBI investigated the case with coordination provided by the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center, including the FBI’s International Human Rights Unit. The Justice Department thanks the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice and Public Administration of the Republic of Croatia, which were both instrumental in furthering the investigation.

    Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd and Jerome J. Teresinski for the Northern District of Ohio prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided assistance.

    Members of the public who have information about human rights violators or immigration fraud in the United States are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or through the FBI online tip form, or HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or through the ICE online tip form. All are staffed around the clock, and tips may be provided anonymously.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Bonanno Crime Family Convicted of Extortion of a Witness

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

    Today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted John Ragano, also known as “Bazoo,” a member of the Bonanno organized crime family, for the extortionate collection of credit from a victim.  The verdict followed a four-day trial before United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez. When sentenced, Ragano faces up to 20 years in prison. The defendant was acquitted of extortionate collection of credit conspiracy, witness harassment and witness tampering.

    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

    “The defendant’s extortion of a victim while on pre-trial release, carried out even in the sanctity of the federal courthouse, is an affront to the criminal justice system and a glaring example of this Bonanno mobster’s flagrant disrespect for the law,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “With today’s verdict, the jury has delivered a clear message that the rule of law will prevail over extortionate threats.”

    “Despite previous arrests and detention, John Ragano tormented his victim to make weekly exorbitant loan payments and enforced humiliating methods when faced with resistance,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.  “His actions reflected his apathy to the criminal justice system as he repeatedly attempted to extort his victims in the midst of active legal proceedings.  Today’s verdict emphasizes the FBI’s intolerance of the mob’s historical inclination to utilize coercive and threatening tactics to fulfill their greedy demands.”

    In early 2021, John Doe (“the victim”) borrowed $150,000 from Ragano and made interest payments of approximately $1,800 a week to him.  On September 14, 2021, Ragano was arrested in connection with the extortionate loan to the victim, as well as separate schemes to traffic marijuana and commit fraud. While Ragano was on pre-trial detention in that case, and after he was released on bond from the Metropolitan Detention Center in December 2021, he continued to try to collect the 2021 loan from the victim. On November 28, 2022, Ragano pleaded guilty in connection with his loan to the victim.  In 2022 and 2023, despite Ragano’s arrest, court supervision, guilty plea and sentence of 57 months’ imprisonment, he continued to extort the victim on the 2021 loan, including at status conferences held at the federal courthouse. 

    On March 25, 2023, the victim recorded a meeting with Co-Conspirator #1 who explained that Ragano wanted the entire amount of the loan repaid and that “nobody’s looking for anybody to get hurt.”  On July 5, 2023, the victim went to a used auto parts yard where Ragano worked to discuss the loan and recorded the meeting.  The victim told Ragano that he was going to stop repaying the loan.  Ragano accused the victim of cooperating with the government and demanded that he remove all his clothes.  Ragano stated: “Okay, well then take off your f—–g s—t right now my man.  Take off your f—–g pants right now, lemme see, I want to see.”  At Ragano’s insistence, the victim complied and took off all his clothing.  At that point, two men at the business walked up behind Ragano, one of whom was holding metal tools.  Ragano then demanded the victim pay the money the defendant believed he was owed.  Despite being forced to strip naked, the victim was still able to record the confrontation.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Devon Lash and Andrew D. Reich are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Kristina Kim.

    The Defendant:

    JOHN RAGANO
    Age:  62
    Franklin Square, Long Island

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-50 (HG)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Raytheon Company to Pay Over $950 Million in Connection with Foreign Bribery, Export Control and Defective Pricing Schemes

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

    Raytheon to Pay Approximately $300 Million to Resolve the FCPA and ITAR Investigations in the Eastern District of New York

    BROOKLYN, NY – Raytheon Company (Raytheon), a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based defense contractor RTX (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation), entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice in connection with a criminal information unsealed today in the Eastern District of New York charging Raytheon with two counts: conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for engaging in a scheme to bribe a government official in Qatar and conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by willfully failing to disclose the bribes in export licensing applications with the Department of State. 

    Separately, Raytheon will enter into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Massachusetts charging Raytheon with two counts of major fraud against the United States. As part of that resolution, Raytheon admitted to engaging in two separate schemes to defraud the Department of Defense (DOD) in connection with the provision of defense articles and services, including PATRIOT missile systems and a radar system.

    Both agreements require that Raytheon retain an independent compliance monitor for three years, enhance its internal compliance program, report evidence of additional misconduct to the Justice Department, and cooperate in any ongoing or future criminal investigations. 

    Raytheon also reached a separate False Claims Act settlement with the department relating to the defective pricing schemes. The Justice Department’s FCPA and ITAR resolution is coordinated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    In addition, the Justice Department’s resolutions ensure that the appropriate federal agencies can proceed with determining whether Raytheon or any other individuals or entities associated with the company should be suspended or debarred as federal contractors. Pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), when more than one agency has an interest in an entity’s potential suspension or debarment, the FAR requires that the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC) identify the lead agency for conducting government-wide suspension or debarment proceedings. In connection with this resolution, the Justice Department has referred Raytheon’s factual admissions to the appropriate officials within the Department of Defense to initiate the process with the ISDC to identify which federal agency will take the lead in such administrative proceedings, which occur independently of the Justice Department’s criminal and civil resolutions.

    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Kevin Driscoll, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin Driscoll of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Chad Yarbrough, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York,  announced the resolution.

    “Over the course of several years, Raytheon employees bribed a high-level Qatari military official to obtain lucrative defense contracts and concealed the bribe payments by falsifying documents to the government, in violation of laws including those designed to protect our national security,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “We will continue to pursue justice against corruption, and as this agreement establishes, enforce meaningful consequences, reforms and monitorship to ensure this misconduct is not repeated.”

    Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of State for their work on the case.

    “Raytheon engaged in criminal schemes to defraud the U.S. government in connection with contracts for critical military systems and to win business through bribery in Qatar,” stated Deputy Assistant Attorney General Driscoll. “Such corrupt and fraudulent conduct, especially by a publicly traded U.S. defense contractor, erodes public trust and harms the Department of Defense, businesses that play by the rules, and American taxpayers. Today’s resolutions, with criminal and civil penalties totaling nearly $1 billion, reflect the Criminal Division’s ability to tackle the most significant and complex white-collar cases across multiple subject matters.”

    “International corruption in military and defense sales is a violation of our national security laws as well as an anti-bribery offense,” stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen.  “Raytheon willfully failed to disclose bribes made in connection with contracts that required export licenses. Today’s resolution should serve as a stark warning to companies that violate the law when selling sensitive military technology overseas.”

    “The Raytheon Company set out to intentionally defraud the U.S. government,” stated FBI Assistant Director Yarbrough.  “This agreement highlights the importance of integrity when it comes to government contracting. The FBI, with its law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate these types of crimes that waste taxpayer dollars and prosecute all those who are intent on cooking up these major fraud schemes.”

    “Raytheon Corporation engaged in a systematic and deliberate conspiracy that knowingly and willfully violated U.S. fraud and export laws,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker.  “Raytheon’s bribery of government officials, specifically those involved in the procurement of U.S. military technology, posed a national security threat to both the U.S. and its allies. As this investigation reflects, national security continues to be a top priority for HSI New York. The global threats facing the U.S. have never been greater, and HSI New York is committed to working with our federal and international partners to assure sensitive U.S. technologies are not unlawfully and fraudulently acquired.”

    The FCPA Case

    According to admissions and court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, between approximately 2012 and 2016, Raytheon, through certain of its employees and agents, engaged in a scheme to bribe a high-level official at the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), a branch of Qatar’s Armed Forces (QAF) that was primarily responsible for the conduct of air warfare, to assist Raytheon in obtaining and retaining business from the QEAF and QAF.  Raytheon entered into and made payments on sham contracts for air defense operations-related studies to corruptly obtain the Qatari official’s assistance in securing certain air defense contracts.  Raytheon also entered into a teaming agreement with a Qatari entity to corruptly obtain the Qatari official’s assistance in directly awarding a contract to Raytheon, without a competitive bid, to build a joint operations center that would interface with Qatar’s several military branches. 

    Under the terms of the DPA, Raytheon will pay a criminal monetary penalty of over $252.3 million, criminal forfeiture of over $36.6 million and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years.  In addition, as part of the resolution of the SEC’s parallel investigation, Raytheon will pay approximately $49.1 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and a civil penalty of $75 million, $22.5 million of which will be credited against the criminal monetary penalty.  The Department has agreed to credit approximately $7.4 million of the disgorgement Raytheon pays to the SEC against the criminal forfeiture.

    As part of the DPA, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in any ongoing or future criminal investigations relating to this and other conduct.  In addition, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to enhance Raytheon’s compliance program.

    The Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense.  Raytheon received credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included:

    • Providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the government to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own independent investigation;
    • Facilitating interviews with current and former employees;
    • Making detailed factual presentations to the government;
    • Proactively disclosing certain evidence of which the government was previously unaware and identifying key documents in materials it produced; and
    • Engaging experts to conduct financial analyses. 

    Raytheon also engaged in timely remedial measures, including:

    • Recalibrating third party review and approval processes to lower company risk tolerance;
    • Implementing enhanced controls over sales intermediary payments;
    • Hiring empowered subject matter experts to oversee its anti-corruption compliance program and third party management;
    • Implementing data analytics to improve third party monitoring; and
    • Developing a multipronged communications strategy to enhance ethics and compliance training and communications.

    However, in determining the appropriate cooperation credit, the government also took into account the fact that, in the initial phases of the investigation, prior to in or around 2022, Raytheon was at times slow to respond to the government’s requests and failed to provide relevant information in its possession; for example, Raytheon withheld relevant, material information from the government and gave incomplete and misleading presentations regarding the nature and scope of a relevant third-party intermediary relationship.

    In light of these considerations, as well as Raytheon’s prior history, which includes three prior civil or regulatory enforcement actions: (i) a 2013 consent agreement with the U.S. State Department concerning civil ITAR and Arms Export Control Act violations, in connection with which Raytheon agreed to hire an independent special compliance officer to oversee the four-year consent decree while at the same time engaging in the conduct described in the DPA; (ii) a civil settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 concerning payments to clean up contamination sites; and (iii) a resolution with the SEC in 2006 concerning false and misleading disclosures and improper accounting practices, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 20% reduction off the twentieth percentile above the low end of the otherwise applicable Guidelines fine range.

    The ITAR Case

    According to admissions and court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, between approximately 2012 and 2016, Raytheon, through certain of its employees and agents, engaged in a scheme to willfully violate the AECA and ITAR Part 130 by failing to disclose to the United States Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, fees and commissions paid in connection with two Qatar-related contracts – specifically, the bribes Raytheon paid to the high-level QEAF official through sham subcontracts.

    The Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense.  Raytheon received credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included:

    • Gathering evidence of interest to the government and proactively identifying key documents related to willful ITAR-related misconduct;
    • Making factual presentations concerning the ITAR-related misconduct; and
    • Facilitating witness interviews and expediting the government’s ability to meet with witnesses. 

    Raytheon also received credit for remediation, which included, in addition to the remediation described above in connection with the FCPA case:

    • Hiring additional empowered subject matter experts in legal and compliance;
    • Developing a multipronged communications strategy to enhance ethics and compliance training and communications; and
    • Making enhancements to its ITAR-related compliance program.

    Raytheon did not receive full credit for its cooperation because in the initial phase of the investigation, it failed to provide information relevant to the ITAR violations beyond what was requested in the FCPA investigation.

    In light of these considerations, the ITAR-related financial penalty of $21,904,850 includes a cooperation and remediation credit of 20 percent off the otherwise applicable penalty.

    The Defective Pricing Case

    According to admissions and court documents filed in the District of Massachusetts, from 2012 through 2013 and again from 2017 through 2018, Raytheon employees provided false and fraudulent information to the DOD during contract negotiations concerning two contracts with the United States for the benefit of a foreign partner — one to purchase PATRIOT missile systems and the other to operate and maintain a radar system. In both instances, Raytheon employees provided false and fraudulent information to DOD in order to mislead DOD into awarding the two contracts at inflated prices. These schemes to defraud caused the DOD to pay Raytheon over $111 million more than Raytheon should have been paid on the contracts.

    Under the terms of the DPA, Raytheon will pay a criminal monetary penalty of $146,787,972, pay $111,203,009in victim compensation, and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years. The Justice Department has agreed to credit the victim compensation amount against restitution Raytheon pays to the Civil Division in its related, parallel False Claims Act proceeding.

    Pursuant to the DPA, in addition to the independent compliance monitor, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to implement a compliance and ethics program at Raytheon designed to prevent and detect fraudulent conduct throughout its operations. Raytheon and RTX have also agreed to continue to cooperate with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts in any ongoing or future criminal investigations.

    The Justice Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which involved two separate schemes to defraud the U.S. government. Raytheon received credit for its affirmative acceptance of responsibility and cooperation with the department’s investigation, which included (i) facilitating interviews with current and former employees; (ii) providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the department to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own independent investigation; (iii) making detailed presentations to the department; (iv) proactively identifying key documents in the voluminous materials collected and produced; (v) engaging experts to conduct financial analyses; and (vi) demonstrating its willingness to disclose all relevant facts by analyzing whether the crime-fraud exception applied to certain potentially privileged documents and releasing the documents that it deemed fell within the exception. However, in the initial phases of the investigation prior to March 2022, Raytheon’s cooperation was limited by unreasonably slow document productions.

    Raytheon also engaged in timely remedial measures, including (i) terminating certain employees who were responsible for the misconduct; (ii) establishing a broad defective pricing awareness campaign; (iii) developing and implementing policies, procedures, and controls relating to defective pricing compliance; and (iv) engaging additional resources with appropriate expertise to evaluate and test the new policies, procedures, and controls relating to defective pricing compliance.

    In light of these considerations, as well as Raytheon’s prior history, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 25% reduction off the tenth percentile above the low end of the otherwise applicable guidelines fine range.

    The False Claims Act Settlement

    Raytheon also entered into a civil False Claims Act settlement to resolve allegations that it provided untruthful certified cost or pricing data when negotiating prices with the DOD for numerous government contracts and double billed on a weapons maintenance contract.

    Under the False Claims Act settlement, which is the second largest government procurement fraud recovery under the Act, Raytheon will pay $428 million for knowingly failing to provide truthful certified cost and pricing data during negotiations on numerous government contracts between 2009 and 2020, in violation of the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA). Congress enacted TINA in 1962 to help level the playing field in sole source contracts — where there is no price competition — by making sure that government negotiators have access to the cost or pricing data that the offeror used when developing its proposal. As part of the settlement, Raytheon admitted that it failed to disclose cost or pricing data, as required by TINA, regarding its labor and material costs to supply weapon systems to DOD. 
     
    Raytheon also admitted that by misrepresenting its costs during contract negotiations it overcharged the United States on these contracts and received profits in excess of the negotiated profit rates. Further, Raytheon admitted that it failed to disclose truthful cost or pricing data on a contract to staff a radar station. Raytheon also admitted that it billed the same costs twice on a DOD contract.

    As part of the civil resolution, Raytheon received credit under the Justice Department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation, and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases for cooperation provided by RTX. That cooperation included conducting and disclosing the results of an internal investigation, disclosing relevant facts and material not known to the government but relevant to its investigation, providing the department with inculpatory evidence, conducting a damages analysis, identifying and separating individuals responsible for or involved in the misconduct, admitting liability and accepting responsibility for the misconduct, and improving its compliance programs.

    The civil settlement includes the resolution of a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit was filed by Karen Atesoglu, a former Raytheon employee, and is captioned United States ex rel. Atesoglu v. Raytheon Technologies Corporation, 21-CV-10690-PBS (D. Mass.). Ms. Atesoglu will receive $4.2 million as her share of the settlement.

    * * * * *

    In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC).  As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including the FCPA.

    The FCPA and ITAR investigation was conducted by HSI and the FBI’s International Corruption Unit.  The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys David Pitluck, Hiral Mehta and Jessica Weigel are prosecuting the case with Acting Assistant Chief Katherine Raut and Trial Attorney Elina A. Rubin-Smith of the Fraud Section, and Trial Attorneys Christine Bonomo and Leslie Esbrook of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, with assistance from Eastern District of New York Paralegal Specialist Liam McNett.

    The Defendant:

    THE RAYTHEON COMPANY 
    Waltham, Massachusetts

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 24-CR-399 (RER)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: More than a Miracle for These Mets Fans

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Since their inception in 1962, the New York Mets have long been enamored – and at times endured – by their supportive fan base.

    Some of those followers have even taken their sporting devotion across the Seven Seas, from haze gray underway across ocean vastness to running silent and running deep in the briny depths.

    There have been several Mets fans who have celebrated and commiserated during their time assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton.

    Brooklyn, New York native U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Uniszkiewicz, MD, MPH, became a Mets fan the day he was born.

    “I have been a Mets fan my entire life. I watched games as a kid. It was how I spent time with my grandfather. Every year was going to be ‘our year.’ Even if it wasn’t, it still felt like it was,” reminisced Uniszkiewicz, stationed with North American Aerospace Command and U.S. Northern Command office of the command surgeon, force health protection division for public health threats.

    Being a Mets fan is not for the faint of heart. Uniszkiewicz can attest to that.

    “I cannot recommend being a Mets fan as the ups and downs they put you through will take years off your life,” Uniszkiewicz related. “For me though, it is the ups and downs that make them so enjoyable. Win or lose, they get up to play again tomorrow. I equate that to life, and military life in particular. The thrilling highs and sometimes challenging lows come to us all. It is how we deal with them that builds our character. Baseball teaches patience and resiliency.”

    Many a servicemember knows that sports provide common ground at times to connect, discuss and parse. To a certain degree it can even level the hierarchy playing field.

    “Sports transcend ranks, rates, and all walks of life,” said Uniszkiewicz. “Baseball brought people like me and retired Navy Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Submarine Kevin Flatley together in ways we may never have otherwise.”

    “When I was NHB Directorate of Branch Clinics leading chief petty officer and Dr. U took over as my boss we instantly connected over our shared fandom of the Mets. That blossomed into a wonderful friendship now that I have retired,” added Flatley. “It also keeps me connected to several friends I grew up with on Long Island even though I have not lived there in 28 years. The Mets have served as the glue that has brought me together with several important people in my life.”

    That mutual formed bond over their chosen team has had Uniszkiewicz and Flatley savoring wins and lamenting loses.

    “Met games are never boring. They prove to me over and over that nothing is guaranteed in life, but you have to get up and keep playing. Although nobody in my family will make the bigs, it is from the couch that I will get into every game,” Uniszkiewicz said.

    Although he insists no family member will play in the big leagues, Uniszkiewicz did enjoy the unique opportunity of throwing out the first pitch at a Tacoma Rainier – Triple A farm team of the Seattle Mariners – home game in 2017.

    “That’s remains a highlight of my life,” Uniszkiewicz said.

    When the Mets traveled to Oakland in 2023 for a three-game series, Uniszkiewicz and Flatley took in one of the games. Not only did their team sweep the Athletics, 17-6, 3-2 and 4-3, Uniszkiewicz snagged a foul ball. The odds of that happening are one in a 1,000 chance.

    “That was incredible. I take that ball everywhere. It’s my lucky charm each time the Mets play,” exclaimed Uniszkiewicz.

    The cool memory of catching the foul ball and tossing out the first pitch join another cherished remembrance for Uniszkiewicz which is also intricately related to baseball.

    “My dad took me to a game at Shea Stadium [home field of the Mets from 1964 to 2008] every year on my birthday,” said Uniszkiewicz. “He did this even though he has no interest in sports. He did it for me. I want to carry that on to my kids. Baseball fills me with joy even when it fills me with pain because of the close ties to family and so many friends.

    For Flatley, he can trace his support to the Mets back to the mid-1980s. After finishing 98-64 in ’85, the Mets went on a roll in ’86, finishing with a 108-54 record, claiming the National League East by 21.5 games. After knocking off the Houston Astros to win the National League Championship Series, they took on the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. After dropping game one and two to the BoSox in the fall classic, they came back to claim the title in seven games.

    “The Mets magical run to the World Series title in 1986 cemented me as a fan for life. Game six [Mets down by two runs, bottom of the tenth, two outs, no one on base, yet rallied for the win] is still one of my best childhood memories,” related Flatley.

    “As a New Yorker, you have the Mets or Yankees. But my dad was a Mets fan,” Flatley continued. “He had rooted for the Giants growing up but was left without a team when they moved to San Francisco [for the 1958 season]. When the Mets brought National League baseball back to New York, he became a Mets fan. I simply followed suite.”

    Flatley spent the majority of his Navy career on submarines. On those long silent service patrols, with confined working spaces and cramped living conditions, he would bring a little haberdashery of his team for a sporting dash of home. “I would typically bring a Mets hat and perhaps a t-shirt,” he said.

    The 2024 Mets finished with an 89-73 record and claimed a National League wild card spot in the NL playoffs. They took two games out of three to knock off the Milwaukee Brewers before upending the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division Series three games to one to make it to the NL Championship Series.

    “This year’s team has the magic,” stated Flatley. “At the beginning of the season, this was billed as a gap year, during which the team would be competitive but not necessarily compete for a championship. At the end of May, the Mets were 11 under .500 and just got swept by the Dodgers. At home. After a team meeting, they have the best record in baseball. They have carried that momentum into the playoffs. They have done so because they believe in themselves, have a steady manager, and because they don’t rely on any one player to get the job done.

    The Mets currently trail the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in the NLCS, with the Dodgers slightly favored.

    Yet not to steadfast fans like Flatley and Uniszkiewicz.

    “They are truly playing as a team. The Mets have not enjoyed a lot of success over their history. I, along with most fans, tend to be pretty pessimistic. But this team has shown they can beat anyone. Will they win it all? I don’t know. But I plan to enjoy the ride as far as the team takes me,” said Flatley.

    When asked for his prediction on the playoffs, Uniszkiewicz replied, “The Mets will go all the way.”

    “Full disclosure,” noted Uniszkiewicz. “That’s my prediction every year.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Schenectady Man Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Straw Purchasing a Shotgun Later Used to Fire Shots Outside of Temple Israel

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

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Miller, age 38, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 14 months of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiring with Mufid Fawaz Alkhader to illegally purchase, from a gun shop, a shotgun for Alkhader.

    United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.

    As part of his earlier guilty plea, Miller admitted that between October 1, 2023 and November 6, 2023, he and Alkhader conspired to lie to a firearms dealer in Albany County that he (Miller) was the actual buyer of a Kel-Tec 12-gauge pump shotgun, when in fact, Alkhader was the true buyer.  Miller and Alkhader came up with the plan because they believed that Alkhader could not lawfully purchase the shotgun himself.  Miller further admitted that on November 5, 2023, he lied on the Firearms Transaction Record (ATF Form 4473) submitted to the gun shop when he falsely stated that he was the true purchaser of the shotgun.  On November 6, 2023, Miller and Alkhader returned to the gun shop and Miller took possession of the shotgun.  Miller also admitted that later on November 6, he transferred the shotgun to Alkhader.  

    According to a criminal complaint, Alkhader used the shotgun to fire shots outside of Temple Israel in Albany on December 7, 2023.  Alkhader is currently charged by criminal complaint alleging that he and Miller conspired to lie to a firearms dealer in Albany County surrounding the straw purchase of the Kel-Tec 12-gauge pump shotgun. The charges in the complaint against Alkhader are merely accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  

    This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the ATF, and the Albany Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rick Belliss and Alexander Wentworth-Ping are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: D.C. Gang Leader Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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

                WASHINGTON – Eugene Tracey Hill , 31, of Washington D.C. and a member of the Push Dat Shit (PDS) street crew, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 180 months in prison on four felony charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offenses in the District of Columbia.

                The sentence was announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves; FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office’s Criminal and Cyber Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge James VanVliet of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Hill, aka “Geno” and “Cheese,” pleaded guilty on July 17, 2024, to a four-count criminal information charging him with conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana and a detectable amount of oxycodone, conspiracy to use a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possessing a handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

                In his plea agreement, Hill admitted that he distributed both marijuana and oxycodone, and that he distributed both substances in bulk to other dealers and in smaller, street-level transactions. He also admitted to purchasing semi-automatic and fully automatic AR-Pistol ghost guns that he stored in “trap houses” maintained by PDS.

                In addition to the 180-month prison term, the Honorable Amy Berman Jackson ordered Hill to serve five years of supervised release.

                According to court documents, Hill held a leadership position in the Push Dat Shit (PDS) Street Crew which held territory in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Southeast Washington, D.C. Hill conspired with other crew members to distribute both marijuana and oxycodone within their territory and further admitted that the co-conspirators distributed more than 100 kilograms of marijuana during the course of their conspiracy.

    Eugene Tracy Hill

               The co-conspirators also conspired to use, carry, and possess firearms to protect themselves, their drugs, their cash, and their territory from rival crews with whom PDS had “beefs.” Hill admitted that, as part of the conspiracy one of his co-conspirators assembled fully automatic AR-Pistol machine guns which were then distributed within the crew for use in furtherance of their drug trafficking conspiracy. Hill admitted that he purchased and possessed machine guns during his part in the conspiracy.

               Hill was arrested on September 15, 2022, shortly before the FBI executed a search warrant at a “trap house” he and his co-conspirators maintained on Fourth Street, Southeast. FBI agents recovered two Glock handguns, approximately 100 rounds of ammunition, 1.8 pounds of marijuana, two digital scales, a money counter, and approximately $15,000 from that residence.  Hill has been detained since his arrest.

                This case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and ATF with assistance from both officers and detectives from the MPD a part of an ongoing joint investigation which has now resulted in 22 convictions and the seizure of two vehicles, 35 firearms, four machineguns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 60 pounds of marijuana, 41 grams of cocaine base, dozens of oxycodone pills, and approximately $500,000 in cash. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James B. Nelson and Justin F. Song with valuable assistance from Paralegal Specialists Marissa Mondelli and Melissa Macechko.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Spartanburg Drug Trafficking Organization Members Sentenced to a Total of 1,257 Months for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering

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

    SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Nine defendants of a Spartanburg area illegal drug trafficking ring were sentenced to a total of 1,257 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute illegal drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. Three defendants (Bobo, Jacobs, and Canty) were also convicted of money laundering.

    The follow defendants were sentenced:

    Terrance Bobo, 53, of Conyers, Georgia, was sentenced to 204 months.

    Michael Jacobs, 40, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 277 months.

    Maurice Canty, 48, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 292 months.

    Kevin Jeter, 49, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 172 months.

    Shuler Holmes, 39, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 144 months.

    James Foster, 61, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 72 months.

    Daniel Gregory, 43, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 65 months.

    Jahid Warden, 29, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to 22 months.

    Danny Goode, 46, of Spartanburg, was sentenced to nine months.

    “These nine defendants were responsible for trafficking large amounts of illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, in the Upstate, said Adair Ford Boroughs, U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina. “Our community is safer thanks to this thorough investigation by our law enforcement partners.”

    “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message we will not tolerate drug trafficking in our communities,” said HSI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant. “Homeland Security Investigations will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to dismantle these dangerous networks and protect the safety of our citizens.”

    Evidence presented to the court showed that Terrance Bobo was a Georgia-based supply source for a Spartanburg drug trafficking organization. Bobo began sourcing cocaine in 2013 and was responsible for distributing more than 190 kilograms of cocaine. Bobo owned and operated a real estate business called All in One, LLC, which he used to further and conceal the drug trafficking operation. During the drug trafficking conspiracy, Bobo and another co-conspirator purchased a car garage/repair shop at 501 Textile Road.

    In 2021, Michael Jacobs was released from federal prison and returned to his hometown of Spartanburg and restarted his drug trafficking business. Jacobs became the primary spoke of the Spartanburg-based distribution ring and operated the car garage at 501 Textile Road as a stash house and distribution hub, using a hydraulic press to package kilograms of illegal drugs at the location.

    In at least 2023, Maurice Canty, another former federal defendant previously sentenced for drug trafficking charges in Spartanburg, joined the drug trafficking conspiracy. Canty had his own subordinates, Jahid Warden and James Foster, who drove Canty and conducted drug sales of methamphetamine and fentanyl on his behalf. 

    In September of 2023, Canty and Foster were arrested in a car, which contained methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine, and fentanyl. Gregory was another sub-distributor of fentanyl for Canty and began working with Jacobs directly when Canty was arrested.

    Law enforcement also identified Kevin Jeter as a sub-distributor of fentanyl and cocaine, responsible for over 50 kilograms of cocaine during the conspiracy. Jeter sold drugs from a business he operated, Blood Brothers Wash and Detail, formerly known as Litt. In February of 2022, Jeter was pulled over by Spartanburg officers with crack cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded handgun.

    During the investigation, Danny Goode was arrested during a traffic stop on October 26, 2023, after obtaining over four ounces of cocaine for distribution from Jacobs.

    In November of 2023, law enforcement executed a targeted arrest operation on the drug trafficking organization and conducted searches in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, including at the homes of Bobo, Jacobs, and Jeter.  Search warrants were also executed at the garage at 501 Textile Road and at Blood Brothers Wash and Detail. Officers recovered numerous firearms during the searches. Thirteen kilograms of fentanyl was also recovered.

    Shuler Holmes, a sub-distributor of pounds of methamphetamine and kilograms of opioids was also arrested on the federal charges, and his home was searched. In his house, law enforcement found with fentanyl, heroin, crack cocaine, and a firearm.

    United States District Judge Donald C. Coggins sentenced Canty to 292 months imprisonment, Jacobs to 277 months imprisonment, Bobo to 204 months imprisonment, Jeter to 172 months imprisonment, Holmes to 144 months imprisonment, Foster to 72 months imprisonment, Gregory to 65 months imprisonment, Warden to 22 months imprisonment, and Goode to 9 months imprisonment. All sentences were ordered to be followed by a term of court-ordered supervision. 

    Judge Coggins also entered the following money judgements: $4,500,000 (Bobo), $3,800,000 (Jacobs), $2,500,000 (Canty), $1,000,000 (Jeter), $50,000 (Gregory), and $50,000 (Holmes). Additionally, law enforcement seized numerous bank accounts for Jacobs and Bobo, $510,270 in cash from Jacobs, and $33,720 from Bobo. The judge also entered forfeiture judgments regarding numerous properties and vehicles including: a Tesla Model 3, a 2023 Dodge Ram TRX, a Chrysler Town and Country, a BMW X6 SUV, a Peterbilt Semi-truck, two Ford F-350s, a 1977 Caprice Classic, an ATV, a Monte Carlo, two Ford Mustangs, a RV, a dump truck, a skid steer tractor, a Chevy El Camino, a trailer, a Chevrolet truck, a semi-trailer, a F-650 Tow Truck, an Excavator. Four physical addresses were forfeited from Jacobs, and four were forfeited from Bobo.

    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.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from Border Enforcement Security Task Force – Upstate South Carolina, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, 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.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Declaration Bridging Government Efforts and Elevating Survivors’ Voices

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Preamble 

    We, the Home Affairs, Interior, Security and Immigration Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the ‘Five Countries’) , recognize the importance of drawing in the voices and experiences of victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse, and in particular, their ongoing advocacy efforts petitioning for increased responses from government and industry to eliminate child sexual abuse and resulting material. 

    We want to acknowledge the important work and advocacy of survivors’ coalitions, such as the Phoenix 11, a consortium of brave victims and survivors from the United States and Canada who have engaged with the Five Countries. Other victims and survivors coalitions are supported by non-governmental organizations. All of these brave victims and survivors continue to engage and call on government, lawmakers and industry to champion the rights of children to be safe online. 

    We acknowledge that more work needs to be done to ensure all levers are used to combat this crime, and to that end, the expertise of victims and survivors is key to enabling meaningful, trauma-informed change.  

    Commitment 

    We, the Ministers of the Five Countries, commit to work more proactively and collaboratively with victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse and the organisations working to support them, to ensure Five Country efforts to combat this crime type are informed by their lived experiences and expertise. 

    The Five Countries will continue to adopt, both individually and collectively, an approach to policy and engagement that is victim-centric and trauma-informed . Our commitment to victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse rests on the understanding that respect, care and protection, ongoing dialogue, and empowerment are central to this process and will enable victims and survivors to report their abuse and access the support they need to heal from their experiences 

    Next Step 

    The Five Country Ministerial Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Working Group will engage organizations and advocates in their respective regions in late 2024 to determine the best path forward and identify concrete actions to undertake. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Joint statement on Irregular Migration

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    The Five Countries have a long and proud tradition of welcoming migrants and providing protection to the most vulnerable people across the world. We remain committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of all migrants, including refugees, and will continue to offer protection in line with our international obligations. We will strive to ensure the successful integration into our respective countries and communities of migrants and refugees who have a lawful right to remain. It is our responsibility to ensure that we have the necessary national, regional and international architecture in place to maximise the positive aspects of safe, orderly and regular migration, whilst also addressing global irregular migration. 

    Globally, irregular migration and forced displacement have increased in scale. This presents complex challenges that need to be addressed through a well-managed, coordinated, flexible and whole-of-route strategy. We recognise the value of a comprehensive approach which takes into account the diverse and multi-dimensional drivers of irregular movement and forced displacement. These drivers can include conflict and violence, poverty, political instability, crime and corruption, environmental degradation and climate change, or the seeking of family reunification or economic opportunities. 

    The Five Countries aim to work together to identify and implement consistent, equitable, and mutually beneficial partnerships that develop and stabilise source countries, improve the capacity of transit countries, and deter individuals from embarking on dangerous or irregular journeys or attempting to misuse our migration systems. 

    Further, the Five Countries remain committed to disrupting the activities of bad actors, and taking swift action against those who exploit the vulnerable and who violate, or facilitate the violation of, our respective immigration laws. This includes working to combat attempts to misuse our migration systems, including through visa fraud. We will endeavour to prevent and disrupt people smuggling activities and prosecute the people smuggling groups and facilitators responsible. We will also seek to return, in a fair, safe and orderly manner, those individuals who have no legal basis to remain in our countries, consistent with our domestic and international obligations. 

    As partners, the Five Countries acknowledge the existing international migration and protection frameworks and value the activities and partnerships with international organisations across the migration space, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL). We will continue to collaborate with these institutions and leverage existing national, regional and international frameworks to bolster our responses through strengthened institutions, systems and processes. 

    The Five Countries encourage pragmatic approaches to establishing migration policies and managing their sovereign borders in defence of national security, and in accordance with our obligations under national and international law. To this end, we affirm our collective responsibility to identify and better understand the evolving challenges of irregular migration. We commit to working together, learning from best practice based on robust evidence and analysis to identify and implement effective and sustainable solutions. Our efforts will include taking bold, flexible approaches and action, where needed. 

    The Five Countries agree that it is through committed and focused partnerships that we will deliver results on providing protection to the most vulnerable whilst protecting our borders and maintaining public confidence in our migration and protection systems, in line with our international obligations and commitments. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Country Ministerial 2024 – Joint Communique

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    We, the Home Affairs, Interior, Security and Immigration Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the ‘Five Countries’) remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold and promote shared liberal democratic values, and in working collaboratively to protect our citizens, communities, and governments from evolving national security threats in an increasingly contested world. Throughout 2024, the Five Countries have collaborated and advanced efforts on a range of issues relevant to our collective national security thematic areas of interest, specifically in consideration of the following issues: 

    National Security Risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

    The Five Countries recognise the enormous opportunities presented by critical and emerging technologies – such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) – in creating new jobs, improving productivity, and aiding in cyber defence. However, the rapid development and deployment of AI risks creating novel security vulnerabilities (including both to and from AI systems) and providing a platform for malign actors to increase the speed and scale of malicious activities. We are particularly concerned by the use of AI to facilitate the creation and distribution of mis/disinformation, malware, terrorist and violent extremist content, non-consensual deep fake pornography, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). We continue to share information on how our governments are establishing frameworks to best manage the risks associated with AI, while still taking advantage of the benefits, and remain committed to working together to ensure our shared values shape international standards and governance for AI. 

    We acknowledge that deeper cooperation among the Five Countries will support the safe, secure, and trustworthy deployment and use of these technologies in a way that minimises the risks and maximises opportunities in a national security context. The Five Countries remain committed to continuing to align our work in achieving this goal. 

    Countering Foreign Interference 

    With more people than ever voting in elections around the world in 2024, the Five Countries recognise the need for resilient and transparent democratic institutions to mitigate evolving threats to democratic processes. Such threats, including the proliferation of state-sponsored disinformation through increased use of emerging technologies, pose a significant challenge to upholding our democratic values. 

    We are resolute in our commitment to ensuring that communities are free from transnational repression, and recognise the continued need for collaboration, information sharing and taking action to protect our communities, businesses, and citizens. It is unacceptable for any foreign government to target members of our communities to prevent individuals from exercising their fundamental rights and freedoms in the Five Countries. 

    Finally, the Five Countries recognise the need to mitigate the threat posed by foreign interference and espionage within our research ecosystems. The Five Countries remain committed to exchanging best practices and threat information on research security, including how foreign entities of concern may be attempting to adapt to and bypass safeguards, to improve the resilience of those ecosystems. 

    Cyber Security 

    The increase in malicious and sophisticated cyber security threats is impacting the daily lives of citizens, businesses and governments across the Five Countries. We emphasise the need to target the enablers that make up the cybercrime business model, who are providing the illicit products, goods and services that make it easier to commit cybercrime. Malicious cyber activity against critical infrastructure by both state and non-state malicious cyber actors pose some of the greatest threats to our Five Countries and we are committed to jointly disrupting these operations and securing our most important networks. 

    We note the importance of fraud in the cyber security context and are particularly concerned about online scam centres that target vulnerable individuals globally; are involved in human trafficking for forced criminality to support their operations; or feed into a highly profitable criminal enterprise that undermines our cyber security. We reaffirm our support to the commitments made at the Global Fraud Summit. A key outcome from the Summit was to maintain strong engagement with industry, and the Five Countries agree to progress further efforts in this space to tackle the fraud threat and better protect our citizens. 

    We recognise the broader role of continued public-private collaboration in mitigating cyber security and data threats for our citizens, businesses and nations. To further deepen our relationship with industry, the Five Countries commit to share lessons learned from respective domestic efforts in securing data to ensure trusted and secure cross-border data flows and enhance the resilience of our data. 

    We recognise the value of coming together as the Five Countries to enhance strategic engagement on priority cybercrime threats, particularly through the international Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI). The Five Countries will actively support the CRI and will engage in wider fora to advance our shared aims through international cooperation and build cross-border resilience to collectively disrupt malicious cyber actors. 

    Domestic Security 

    In response to recent events in the Middle East, the Five Countries have regularly drawn on the FCM to discuss the conflict and broader security situation, as well as associated domestic security challenges. This includes recognising the effects of this conflict on impacted communities, exploring the associated impacts in polarising and radicalising community attitudes, and understanding the threats posed by the spread of extremist content and disinformation. 

    We remain very concerned about the rise of terrorist and violent extremist content online and its impact, particularly on young people, and we recognise the importance of continued engagement with industry to mitigate this issue. 

    As members of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) Independent Advisory Committee, we call on the organisation to strengthen its efforts to address terrorist and violent extremist content, including when it arises in the context of a prolonged conflict. We stress the importance of expanding GIFCT membership to include a broader range of technology companies, as well as in helping smaller platforms to identify and address terrorist and violent extremist content. In parallel, we continue to support the implementation of the Christchurch Call commitments and welcome the launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation. 

    We commit to addressing the complexity of youth radicalisation, as well as the need to better understand the risks of personalised ideological motivations. We acknowledge that unique pathways and factors can make at-risk individuals susceptible to radicalisation, including violent extremism. We will continue to share information on effective approaches to prevention, such as intervention approaches to support diversion efforts; and are committed to working together to conduct a diagnosis of how violent extremist actors leverage technology to encourage at-risk individuals to violence. 

    Lawful Access 

    The Five Countries will continue working together to maintain tightly-controlled lawful access to communications content that is vital to the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes including terrorism and child abuse. We will work in partnership with technology companies to do this, protecting the safety of our citizens. 

    Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) 

    The Five Countries note the significant role of emerging technologies, including AI, in the proliferation of child sexual exploitation and abuse material. We reiterate our collective commitment to exercising all levers available to tackle this crime type and keep children safe in all settings. 

    We recognise the need to work collaboratively across the whole sector, noting the specific knowledge and role of industry and academia, and the expertise of victims, survivors and their families to ensure our efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse are holistic, evidence-based, and promote technological innovation. In this spirit, we jointly endorsed the “Bridging Government Efforts and Elevating Survivors’ Voices” statement (Annex I). 

    We also recognise the continued importance of the Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and – noting that the landscape has changed significantly since their launch five years ago – commit to further engagement with signatories to seek updates on efforts to uphold the principles as outlined. 

    While there has been progress through voluntary action to date, the Five Countries urgently call on tech companies to continue to drive innovation to keep children safe online on their platforms and to adhere to legal requirements in each of our jurisdictions. We remain committed to working with industry to explore holistic efforts and supporting innovation in tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse, including responding to the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual exploitation and abuse content. 

    Migration  

    The Five Countries recognise the extensive pressures on our border management, migration and protection systems that are being exacerbated by significant volumes of global migration and displacement seen across the world. 

    We acknowledge that there are a multitude of drivers for irregular migration and forced displacement, and we recognise the importance of taking a whole-of-route approach in response to mixed migrant flows. The Five Countries will continue to explore opportunities to work together to combat organised crime groups that are facilitating and profiting from human smuggling. 

    The Five Countries also recognise the opportunities presented by the rise in global migration and mobility, and note the benefits of safe and regular migration pathways. At the same time, we remain committed to enforcing our immigration laws and delivering consequences for those individuals who have no right to remain in our respective countries. We encourage the use of innovative policy levers to maintain well-managed regular pathways in light of increasing demand on our migration systems. We are committed to deepening our collaboration to enhance the integrity of our migration and border systems by leveraging emerging technology and examining additional efforts to address fraud and stop bad actors from exploiting our regular pathways. 

    The Five Countries remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting and protecting the human rights of all migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in accordance with our international obligations, whilst endorsing pragmatic approaches of countries to establish policies in their own national interest and national security. 

    Closing 

    The FCM remains the preeminent Ministerial-level forum for the Five Countries to engage and exchange information on shared national security issues and implement new initiatives to respond to various areas of concern. Our efforts to collaborate and exchange best practise in responding to evolving threats continues to grow and we look forward to further deepening these efforts in the coming year ahead 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DTRA Trains Indonesian Military on Epidemiology and Health Security

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SURABAYA, Indonesia  –  

    The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) conducted an Intermediate Epidemiology Health Security Training for Indonesian Armed Forces Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) clinical and laboratory professionals from September 17th to 19th 2024. The event was held at RSAL Dr. Ramelan Navy Hospital in Surabaya, Indonesia, and provided 30 Indonesian personnel an expanded understanding of epidemiology principles and best practices, including skills that can be immediately applied at individual TNI military medical facilities. The training event incorporated lectures, interactive sessions, breakout group exercises, epidemiological analysis mentorship sessions and was part of a series of events which established an in-house cadre of trainers that will increase TNI training capacity and sustainability.

    For DTRA BTRP, Navy LCDR Brittany Harris provided remarks commenting on the training and how it will improve specific aspects of health security such as helping laboratory technicians grasp how their work fits into the broader TNI health landscape and understanding the impact of their efforts on disease control and prevention.

    Harris also commented on the significance of the training in Indonesia, stating, “This week represents an important milestone within our Health Security Training series and will further develop the initial Java-based cohort, enhancing proficiency and capabilities as health security resources and future TNI trainers.”

    This week’s event marked the culmination of a whole year of training events aimed at reestablishing an in-house training cadre for TNI. Additionally, this event fulfilled the fourth and final 2024 bilateral training commitment made between TNI and BTRP in December 2023 at the annual U.S.-Indonesia Bilateral Defense Dialogue.

    For more information on this facility and other DTRA programs, visit http://www.dtra.mil

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NEWS FEATURE: Maritime navigation’s new look

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    10/18/2024 03:52 PM EDT

    The safety of all mariners is a top priority for the Coast Guard. As technology continues to advance, the service strives to utilize these advancements to improve their aids to navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. One of the many ways the Coast Guard aspires to accomplish this is through the modernization of Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists.

    For more information follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: HAPPY BIRTHDAY U.S. NAVY

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) Galley hosted a 249th U.S. Navy Birthday meal, Oct. 10.

    Even though the Navy’s birthday is October 13, the NMCP Galley celebrated early with a meal featuring BBQ chicken, grilled ribeye steaks, rice pilaf, dinner rolls, and assorted desserts featuring a ceremonial cake.

    On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established the Continental Navy British sea control and supply ships to the British Army in America. The Navy celebrates its birthday to honor the service, sacrifice, and devotion of its Sailors.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Having a Family and Being a Sailor Too: Command Advisory on Parenthood and Pregnancy Event at Naval Hospital Bremerton

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Command Advisory on Parenthood and Pregnancy Committee hosted an information event, October 17, 2024.

    CAPP serves as an advisor on all things pregnancy and postpartum related and ensure Sailors receive the proper counseling and guidance to understand their responsibilities, rights, and resources afforded to them as parents in the Navy.

    The inaugural occasion openly provided detailed insight to help Sailors better balance the demands of their naval career, family plans and obligations. They had direct access to information on convalescent and maternity leave, child youth programs, TRICARE registration, in addition to access with Fleet and Family Support Center representatives and more.

    “If you don’t know about it, you aren’t going to use the resource,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jovana Losada, NHB CAPP command liaison, from Orlando, Florida.

    Losada continued, “We want to bring everyone’s attention to the resources available so they can utilize them.”

    CAPP has been steadily ensuring all Sailors are aware of the resources and services available to them as they transition into parenthood. Some of those services include adequate parking for expectant mothers at NHB and spreading awareness for programs like the Navy Exchange Service Command’s Maternity Uniform Pilot Program.

    “I call MPP the sisterhood of the traveling uniform,” joked Losada. “It’s free. You borrow what you need for a time and return it, giving you financial peace of mind during an already stressful period of life.”

    Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Maria Gibson, from Huntsville, Alabama, was there to discuss information about children and youth programs available to service members with existing children.

    “I have three kids ages 10 months to 4 years old,” said Gibson. “Information events like this were not readily available to myself when I became a mother 4 years ago. It’s extremely important to me to share this knowledge with everyone else I can.”

    The event also hosted practical information any Sailor might have on services offered by Naval Base Kitsap Fleet and Family Support Center programs and Navy Housing.

    “Base housing is set up to accommodate 25 percent of all the military in and around Naval Base Kitsap,” said Jim Junior, a representative of Naval Base Kitsap Navy Housing Center.

    With the rotation of sea commands in and out of the area on base housing, occupancies can reach 98 percent, explained Junior. Navy Housing can give a Sailor options like adding them to a waitlist in advance of their growing family needs or utilizing homes.mil, which allows the Navy Housing Center to inspect rental properties available in the area where the Sailor is assigned.

    “We want to be an advocate for new families,” Junior said. “We can provide Sailors with health and safety inspections and are available to liaison with the landlords.”

    Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Juan Sic, from San Antonio, Texas, attended the event to take information back to his Sailors.

    “I have a lot of Sailors who are like myself, either first time parents or are trying to become parents,” said Sic.

    CAPP organizers like Losada know that being a new parent is challenging enough. Adding the operational tempo of military life can make it even more so which is why CAPP can help Sailors realize and navigate all the various military parent benefits, as well as support them in transition.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Saline County Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years In Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearms

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

          LITTLE ROCK—Jason Davis, a multi-convicted felon, will spend more than 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker.

          In addition to the 188 months’ imprisonment, Chief Judge Baker sentenced Davis, 43, of Benton, to five years supervised release. Davis will begin serving his federal sentence only after he serves his current six-year state sentence for first degree domestic battery, which began in 2023. During Davis’s federal sentencing, Chief Judge Baker took into consideration Davis’s lengthy and violent criminal history.

          Davis was indicted on June 6, 2023, in a two-count indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. On October 16, 2024, Davis pled guilty to both counts in the indictment. There is no parole in the federal system.

          An investigation revealed that on May 3, 2023, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AG&F) received a call reporting four people that were trespassing on private property in Saline County. Officers with AG&F initiated contact with all four suspects and identified Davis as the owner of the vehicle on the property. While speaking with the suspects, officers observed a sawed-off, 20-gauge Harrington and Richardson shotgun in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Officers then located 20-gauge shotgun shells in the vehicle that matched the live round found in the shotgun.

          Chief Judge Baker determined Davis to be an Armed Career Criminal due to numerous prior violent convictions, included four different convictions for second degree battery, two different convictions for first degree domestic battery, and convictions for third degree battery, third degree domestic battery, aggravated assault, and terroristic threatening.

          The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the AG&F. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katie Hinojosa.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Enfield — The RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division investigating suspicious deaths

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division is investigating two suspicious deaths that occurred in Enfield.

    On October 18 at approximately 10:45 a.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a request to check on the wellbeing of two people at a home on Rockcliffe Dr. in Enfield. Responding officers found the remains of two adults deceased in the residence. The deaths are being treated as suspicious, the individuals were known to one another.

    The ongoing investigation is lead by the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division and supported by the RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment, Nova Scotia RCMP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service. There is no evidence at this time to suggest any risk to the public.

    The investigation is in the initial stages and no further information will be released at this time.

    Our thoughts are with the deceased’s families at this difficult time.

    Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Halifax Regional Detachment at 902-490-5020 and reference file number 24-143338. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at http://www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI and CISA Issue Public Service Announcement Warning of Tactics Foreign Threat Actors are Using to Spread Disinformation in the 2024 U.S. General Election

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued their final four-part joint public service announcement (PSA) today titled “Just So You Know: Foreign Threat Actors Likely to Use a Variety of Tactics to Develop and Spread Disinformation During the 2024 U.S. General Election Cycle.” This PSA highlights efforts by foreign actors to spread disinformation in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. general election with the goal of casting doubt on the integrity of the democratic process and sowing partisan discord. Foreign adversaries are using a variety of sophisticated disinformation campaigns, often leveraging new tools, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), to craft and spread misleading content. 

    “As we approach Election Day, it is important to remember that while elections are political, election security is not. Election security is national security. Our foreign adversaries are looking to attack our democratic process to further their own objectives, and we need the help of all Americans in ensuring they are not successful,” said CISA Senior Advisor Cait Conley.  “There has been incredible effort across local, state and federal governments to ensure the security and integrity of our nation’s election infrastructure. Americans should be confident that their votes will be counted as cast.  They should also know that our foreign adversaries will try to make them believe otherwise. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, verify the information they consume, and rely on trusted sources like their state and local election officials.” 

    The PSA highlights specific examples of tactics we have seen used by Russia and Iran during the 2024 election cycle to target all Americans. These include things from mimicking national level media outlets like the Washington Post and Fox News and creating inauthentic news sites posing as legitimate media organizations to using paid influencers to hide their hand. It is important for voters to critically evaluate information sources, particularly as disinformation campaigns evolve to use AI-generated content. Both agencies urge the American public to rely on trusted information from state and local election officials and to verify claims through multiple reliable sources before sharing them on social media or other platforms. 

    For more information on how to protect yourself from disinformation, visit the official websites of the FBI and CISA’s dedicated election security webpage, cisa.gov/Protect2024.  

    ###

    About CISA 

    As the nation’s cyber defense agency and national coordinator for critical infrastructure security, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency leads the national effort to understand, manage, and reduce risk to the digital and physical infrastructure Americans rely on every hour of every day.

    Visit CISA.gov for more information and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Military Leaders Strengthen Indo-Pacific Partnerships During Guam, Hawaii Visit

    Source: United States Navy

    he visit focused on regional security and stability, as well as the defense of American interests and our allies and partners.

    “The United States has always been and remains a Pacific power,” said Mancinelli. “American prosperity and security depend on free and open oceans, and Guam is a strategic hub for critically important activity for the Navy and for our Department of Defense.”

    During his visit to Guam, Mancinelli and Rosenblum met with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio to express appreciation for their continued support of the military, service members, and their families.

    “I’m grateful for the close partnership that the Department of Defense shares with Governor Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Tenorio, and other local leaders on island.  Together, we are committed to ensuring that Guam remains secure and resilient,” said Mancinelli. “So I thank the Governor and the Chamorro people for their contributions to U.S. national security, and for their strong and consistent support of the military presence on Guam.”

    The Governor discussed her priorities, emphasizing defense and the importance of balancing community needs with national security demands.

    “Our administration remains fully committed to promoting peace and stability in the region, with a primary focus on ensuring Guam’s security in the face of growing threats,” said Leon Guerrero. “The relationships we’ve established with the Department of Defense and our federal partners create a strong foundation for advocating for the needs of the people of Guam while navigating the unprecedented military expansion on the island. It is vital that we continue building upon these partnerships, from our local federal and DoD collaborators to INDOPACOM and the Pentagon.”

    Lt. Governor Tenorio added, “While we understand that the Department of Defense may not have statutory authority over some of our needs, they can serve as advocates in securing other federally funded resources, including congressional authorizations and appropriations that are essential for the people of Guam.”

    Mancinelli discussed the ways in which the Department of Defense will continue to work together with the Governor’s office to understand how the military build-up on Guam can be done in partnership with the on-island community.

    He added, “We won’t do anything about Guam without Guam.”

    The acting UNSECNAV’s engagements in Guam also included meetings with Commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia (JTF-M) Rear Adm. Greg Huffman; Commander, Joint Region Marianas (JRM) Rear Adm. Brent DeVore; Guam Del. James Moylan; and leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force. He also spoke with service members at Naval Base Guam, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Task Force Talon’s Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) site, Andersen Air Force Base, and met with the Armed Forces Committee of the Guam Chamber of Commerce.

    During his time in Guam, Mancinelli and Rosenblum received updates on infrastructure, missile defense, housing, schools, shipbuilding, recruiting, and Typhoon Mawar recovery. The Acting UNSECNAV highlighted the Department of the Navy’s commitment to quality of life initiatives and the essential role Guam plays in Indo-Pacific defense efforts.

    “Guam is part of the U.S. homeland.  It is physically closer to Beijing than Hawaii,” said Mancinelli.  “Our efforts here are designed to deter regional aggression and safeguard the interests of the United States as well as our allies and partners. If deterrence fails, we will fight from Guam, and we will fight for Guam.”

    In Hawaii, Mancinelli and Rosenblum met with senior military leaders, including Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Adm. Stephen Koehler; Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Lt. Gen. James Glynn; U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Chief of Staff Major Gen. Joel Carey; and Director, Maritime Headquarters and Theater Sustainment, U.S. Pacific Fleet Rear Adm. Christopher Nash.  Mancinelli received operational briefings, visited local commands, and toured installations, meeting with Navy, Marine, Army, and Air Force personnel.

    At the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, Mancinelli was briefed on experimentation, capabilities, and training to further enhance maneuver and maritime operations. He and Ms. Rosenbaum also toured Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), where Mancinelli received an update on construction efforts to modernize the yard’s infrastructure.  He also observed submarine maintenance and spoke with ASC [formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation] employees conducting training at the shipyard as part of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.  

    “AUKUS is crucial to enhancing our maritime capabilities,” Mancinelli explained. “The Navy is working closely with our partners to help Australia develop, operate, and maintain its own sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines – a generational opportunity to strengthen our alliance. It was excited for me to speak with the growing number of Australian engineers and craftsmen working alongside Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard’s experts to learn how to maintain the cutting-edge technology on U.S. Navy fast attack submarines.”

    Mancinelli and Rosenblum also met with Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Commander of the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH) Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, as well as Deputy Commander NCTF-RH Rear Adm. Marc Williams. They discussed environmental assessments, water monitoring initiatives, and the Navy’s commitment to close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

    Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks designated the Under Secretary of the Navy as DoD’s Lead Senior Defense Official for Guam in January.  In this capacity, Mancinelli is responsible for engaging key leaders in Guam; providing oversight, advocacy, and support to Commander, Joint Region Marianas in the execution of its installation management mission; and aligning efforts across DoD to meet operational and resourcing requirements consistent with the National Defense Strategy, while developing and delivering new capabilities to meet logistics, environmental and infrastructure requirements.

    This was Mancinelli’s first official visit to Guam and Hawaii as Acting Under Secretary of the Navy.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Central Command Weekly Update

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Oct. 18, 2024
    Release Number 20241018-02
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2024) – In the past week, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed 20 one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS) and Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs) in the CENTCOM area of responsibility (AOR). These Iranian-supplied weapons, launched episodically by the Houthis and Iranian-Aligned Militia Groups (IAMGs) over several days during the week, posed a significant risk to United States, allies, and partner forces, as well as civilians in the region and beyond. The drones and missiles were downed by a combination of U.S. Air Force and U.S Navy assets deployed to the region.

    No U.S. service members were injured in these actions. U.S. and coalition forces remain at a high level of readiness, postured to defend U.S. interests and those of our allies and partners in the region.

    Here’s a general timeline of CENTCOM operational activities during the past week:

    · As previously released, CENTCOM forces conducted a series of airstrikes Oct. 11 against multiple known ISIS camps in Syria, resulting in at least 35 ISIS operatives killed, to include several ISIS leaders. The strikes will disrupt the ability of ISIS to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against the United States, its allies and partners, and civilians. Battle damage assessments are still underway and do not indicate civilian casualties. U.S. and partner forces continue to execute these critical operations that contribute to the enduring defeat of terrorist organizations in the CENTCOM AOR and the support of regional stability.

    • On Oct. 13, at the direction of the President, the Secretary of Defense authorized the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and associated crew of U.S. military personnel to Israel to help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and again on Oct. 1. The THAAD battery is now integrated into the regional air defense architecture.
    • Separately, during the past week, CENTCOM forces conducted a successful strike against a Houthi Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher and its associated radar that presented a threat to U.S. and coalition aircraft. Additionally, CENTCOM forces conducted strikes against multiple UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) used to direct Houthi OWAUAS targeting of U.S. and coalition forces against international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. For operations security reasons, we won’t discuss specific dates or locations of these self-defense strikes.
    • U.S. and coalition forces assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) twice came under rocket attacks from IAMGs. In both instances, the rockets were successfully intercepted. No U.S. service members were injured in either incident.
    • Finally, on the evening of Oct. 16 EDT, CENTCOM forces conducted multiple airstrikes on numerous Iran-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that contained various advanced conventional weapons used to target military and civilian vessels navigating international waters throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. CENTCOM forces targeted the Houthi’s hardened underground facilities housing missiles, weapons components, and other munitions used to target military and civilian vessels throughout the region. U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets, including U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers, were part of the operation.

    ###

    Editor’s Note: This U.S. Central Command Weekly Update replaces the previous daily updates released by the command regarding significant operational activities within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard repatriates 12 migrants to Dominican Republic following vessel interdiction off Puerto Rico

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    10/18/2024 07:23 PM EDT

    The Coast Guard Cutter returned 12 migrants to the Dominican Republic between Thursday and Friday, following the interdiction of an irregular, unlawful migration voyage near Puerto Rico. The cutter Paul Clark crew returned 10 of the migrants to a Dominican Republic Navy vessel, Thursday, while the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Napier crew repatriated the two remaining migrants from the group to Punta Juanillo, Dominican Republic, Friday afternoon. The interdiction occurred Wednesday night, after the crew of a Customs and Border Protection multi-role enforcement aircraft sighted a grossly overloaded makeshift vessel, approximately 62 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The cutter Paul Clark arrived on-scene and launched the cutter’s over-the-horizon small boat crew which successfully stopped the suspect vessel.  The cutter crew and embarked all 12 migrants consisting of eight men, two women and two unaccompanied minors, who claimed to be Dominican Republic nationals.

    For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Olympia, Washington man who attacked religious buildings with gunshots and fires sentenced to 11 years in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tacoma –A 52-year-old Olympia, Washington man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 11 years in prison for a series of arsons and a shooting spree in 2018 that damaged or destroyed several Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Mikey Diamond Starrett, aka Michael Jason Layes, pleaded guilty in May 2024 to four counts of damage to religious property and one count of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. At today’s sentencing hearing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said, “There are significant and troubling facts…. Terrorizing a group of individuals because of their religious beliefs.”

    “Mr. Starrett’s attacks irrevocably destroyed the sense of safety and peace that a house of worship is supposed to provide, and caused severe, permanent harm to the Jehovah’s Witness community in Washington,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “These were not crimes against buildings, but a series of attacks against a community and a faith.”

    “The defendant in this case committed four attacks on Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls, causing fear and anguish to its members,” said  Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The freedom to practice the religion we choose, without discrimination or violence, is a fundamental civil right in our nation and a hallmark of our democracy from its very inception. Violence based on religious prejudice has no place in our society.  The Justice Department will continue to prosecute those who target and harm houses of worship.”

    According to records in the case, Starrett set fire to Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Halls on three occasions. On March 19, 2018, he set fire to the Kingdom Halls in Tumwater and Olympia, Washington. On July 3, 2018, Starrett returned to the Olympia Kingdom Hall and burned it down completely. In a fourth attack on May 15, 2018, Starrett used an assault-style rifle to shoot rounds into another Kingdom Hall in Yelm, Washington. Starrett’s attacks caused more than $700,000 in damage to these Kingdom Halls. Starrett admitted in his plea agreement that he defaced, damaged, and destroyed the Kingdom Halls because of the properties religious character.

    After an extensive investigation, Starrett was arrested in September 2021 and has been in federal custody since then.

    “ATF and our law enforcement partners spent many thousands, if not tens of thousands, of hours investigating these attacks and ensuring that the right person was identified,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “His guilty plea is a validation of the hard work put in by all the law enforcement involved in the investigation, and this sentence is appropriate for his egregious actions. We are all committed to defending the right of people to practice their religion, and investigating when someone acts to deprive them of that right, in this case through acts of arson and use of a firearm during, and in relation to, a crime of violence.”

    Prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo that Starrett “committed several violent, premeditated attacks using fire or a dangerous weapon. His attacks were brazen and show that he believed he could engage in extensive criminal conduct without consequence. Starrett’s disregard for the safety of the Kingdom Halls, its congregants, first responders, and the surrounding area, which is vulnerable to devastating wildfires, underscores the danger that he poses to the public.”

    At the sentencing hearing, a spokesman for the Jehovah’s Witness community read a series of statements that had been submitted by community members. They wrote of the fear and anxiety the attack engendered writing: “I wondered if the arsonist would strike again with people inside; any new face at the meeting made me worry: and …the gunshots and bomb left, were clear threats, we worried someone would come to a meeting with a gun.”

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division, the FBI, the Tumwater, Washington Police Department, and the Olympia, Washington Police Department.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonas Lerman of the Western District of Washington and Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. 

    For more information and resources about DOJ’s work to combat hate crimes, visit http://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Guilty of Being Felon in Possession of Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on October 10, 2024, BRIAN WARD (“WARD”), age 30, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Sentencing is set for January 2, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Barry W. Ashe.

    WARD faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, at least three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

    According to court documents, on January 7,2024, WARD was arrested by the New Orleans Police Department following a physical altercation between WARD and another man in the 300 block of Bourbon Street.  During the altercation, WARD produced a firearm he possessed and shot at the man.  After WARD’s arrest, his firearm, a Taurus Model PTl40 G2, .40 caliber pistol, was recovered  near the tire of a van where WARD had hidden it.  Also, law enforcement recovered a spent .40-caliber shell casing from the scene.  It was later determined to be a match to the gun recovered.  The incident was additionally recorded by RealTime Crime Cameras in the area.

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

    U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit.

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