NewzIntel.com

Category: Security Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: 241 county lines shut down following national action

    Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council

    Criminal gangs who exploit children and vulnerable adults to supply drugs across the country were targeted last week in a national police operation, which led to 241 County Lines shut down.

    County Lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines to enable the supply of drugs.

    The intensification week saw:

    • 1965 arrests made (adults is 91.7% and children 8.3%)
    • Approx. 2.4 million cash seized
    • 325 bladed weapons seized (inc knives, machetes, axes & swords)
    • 93 other weapons seized (inc knuckledusters, ASPS, batons, hammers, nun chucks)
    • 83 Firearms seized (15 S.1, 29 S.5 and 39 imitation plus ammunition)
    • 241 deal lines seized
    • Approx. 178.49 kg of Class A drugs (16.1kg crack, 11kg heroin, 151.3kg cocaine)
    • Approx. 7,217 Class A wraps seized ready for sale
    • Approx. 11,200 thousand cannabis plants
    • 6 Dangerous Dogs seized
    • 584 cuckooed addresses visited
    • 395 females safeguarded (214 adults, 181 under 18)
    • 784 males safeguarded (345 adults, 439 under 18)

    Often, children and vulnerable adults are groomed to transport drugs and money to different parts of the country. Last week local officers worked with charities and safeguarding services to ensure 620 children and 559 adults identified as being exploited were supported via numerous routes including, specialist support referrals (such as to Catch22 or London’s Violence and Exploitation Service), strategy meetings, safety plans created and Modern Slavery investigations.

    The Police are bringing victimless prosecutions for modern slavery offences against perpetrators, just one of the many ways officers are protecting young people. Victimless prosecutions ensure children and vulnerable adults are spared the ordeal of having to go through the court process to give evidence and face the violent and abusive individual responsible for their suffering.

    Commander Paul Brogden, NPCC lead for County Lines, said: “Protecting communities is our top priority and the arrests of these organised criminals who control and hold drug lines will contribute hugely to this.

    “Over the past week we have seen an overwhelming amount of drugs seized and arrests made and this will have had a substantial impact on drug supply and associated crime, particularly violence, that comes with it.

    “The intensification work isn’t just about arrests and seizures, it’s also about crime prevention, identifying the people being exploited for other’s gain and making sure they receive the best support possible.

    “To be clear, we remain persistent in pursuing these offenders and our officers work tirelessly all year round to identify and close down these drug lines. We will continue to root out those who are exploiting the vulnerable and supplying drugs which devastates communities across the country.”

    Highlights

    Officers across the country concentrated efforts to crack down on County Lines.

    • In a joint operation between BTP and Northamptonshire Police, officers arrested four suspects linked to a county line at their home addresses. As a result, five mobile phones, approximately 7g of crack cocaine and 10g of heroin as well as 43 wraps of crack cocaine and 43 wraps of heroin, 99.5g of mixing agent, and a total of £33,000 cash seized. Both the drugs and cash were found concealed in the extractor fans in the kitchen of their respective addresses and in a hide in one of the vehicles. They were arrested for the supply of crack cocaine, heroin, and money laundering.
      A child found at one of the addresses has also been referred to social services.
    • Eastern Region Special Operations Unit arrested a man for the supply of class A and B drugs and seized a phone which contained marketing texts consistent with cocaine supply.
    • Officers from East Midlands Special Operations Unit conducted a search at an address in Derby where £3,400 in cash, approximately £2,130 worth of class A drugs, 213 wraps (23 heroin and 190 crack cocaine) 4g of cannabis, and two burner phones, were found and seized. A man was subsequently arrested for supply of class A, possession of class B drugs and driving a motor vehicle without a license. He was remanded to court where he pleaded guilty to all offences and has been remanded into custody.
    • BTP officers observed a suspect exiting a B&B and entering a vehicle known for drug dealing. The vehicle was stopped, and both the suspect and the driver were arrested. Over 18 grams of heroin and six wraps of cocaine and £1,000 cash, as well as an axe and two imitation guns, were seized.
    • West Mercia Police executed a warrant in stoke where three men and two women were arrested following a seizure of 8kg cannabis, 2kg amphetamine, 1.2kg cocaine, 5kg cannabis resin, £50,000 cash and a knuckleduster. Children found at the address were also safeguarded.
    • Dedicated County Lines investigators within Lincolnshire Constabulary, completed enforcement activity on the ‘Yum Yum’ drugs line, identified via intelligence and phone data. Following the arrest and closure of this County Line, a child victim of exploitation was identified. A subsequent Modern Slavery investigation was commenced, and an adult male was charged with the trafficking of a 15year old child.

    Analysis by the NPCC-led National County Lines Coordination Centre (NCLCC) has shown that many of the drug dealers are known to police for offences of violence and/or weapons whilst Dame Carol Blacks independent review of drugs found that County Lines is a very violent business model and a big causal factor in drug-related violence across the UK.   

    Coordinated by the NCLCC, the County Lines Intensification Week (Monday 23 – Sunday, 29 June) saw approximately 178.49 kg of Class A drugs, 500 weapons including 325 bladed weapons (e.g. knives), and £2.4 million in cash seized by officers across England and Wales, making a huge dent in the profit these gangs are making from their violent illegal business.

    This activity forms a key part of our national County Lines policing strategy, which aims to prevent County Lines, protect children and vulnerable adults, prepare communities to mitigate against the harms and impact, and pursue offenders including for Drugs Supply, Modern Slavery and Weapons offences: National County Lines Policing Strategy 2024-27.

    Our dedicated County Lines teams, funded via the national County Lines Programme, are working hard to deliver this strategy, alongside Neighbourhood Policing Teams, limiting the terrible harms County Lines causes to local communities. This is aligned to HM Government’s Safer Streets mission, particularly halving knife crime and preventing criminal gangs enticing children into crime. During the week officers seized hundreds of weapons, particularly knives, demonstrating the inherent link between drugs and violence.

    Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson said: “County Lines drug running relies on the coercion and exploitation of children and vulnerable people. It must be stopped. 

    “I want to thank every police officer who dedicates themselves to combatting this criminality. I recently saw firsthand how hard they work to close lines, bring perpetrators to justice and safeguard those exploited by this evil trade.

    “Protecting vulnerable people should always be at the heart of the police’s response and is why the government has introduced new laws which will punish the heartless gangs who lure people into their illegal trade further- including specific offences of child criminal exploitation, cuckooing and coerced internal concealment.”

    Tackling County Lines requires a multi-agency approach and our dedicated policing teams work alongside key partners to deliver that response. This County Lines intensification week ran in partnership with The Children’s Society and their #LookCloser campaign to spot the signs of exploitation in children and young people.

    James Simmonds-Read, National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society, said: “Too many children continue to be exploited by criminals to carry and sell drugs, often under threat, at great personal risk and with devastating consequences for their lives. 

    “We speak to young people all the time who tell us that adults won’t take action to keep them safe; instead they feel judged and blamed – their vulnerabilities overlooked or ignored. 

    “County Lines Intensification Week is a chance to show them that adults do care and will step in to protect them. 

    “The government’s pledge to define criminal child exploitation is a vital step that will mean that children caught up in county lines are recognised as victims, not offenders, and can be given the support they deserve.” 

    Safecall
    Missing People’s Safecall service provided a confidential and anonymous helpline and support service for young people and family members in England and Wales that are affected by County Lines and criminal exploitation. The service also provides confidential support and advice for professionals in relation to their work with an exploited young person or family. Call or text 116000 for free, 9am to 11pm, 7 days a week.

    Catch22
    Victims of County Lines exploitation also received support from Catch22, a not-for-profit, one-to-one specialist support service for young people under 25, helping children escape drug gangs in four priority locations – London, West Midlands, Merseyside and Greater Manchester, where young people are often targeted.  

    Catch22 will safely make contact with young people who have been referred by safeguarding partners, such as the police and children’s services, and work with them to exit their involvement in County Lines activity.

    Anyone can refer in, including young people themselves. You can find the Support and Rescue service referral forms on the service website for more information. For more information and useful resources about Child Exploitation and County Lines, you can visit our website. For example, you can download Catch On, our free educational resource about Child Exploitation aimed at pupils in Years 7 and 8 (aged 11-13). 

    Kate Wareham, Strategic Director – Young People Families and Communities, Catch22 says: “As policing efforts rightly intensify to disrupt criminal networks, we must be equally focused on ensuring that exploited children are not swept up as offenders.

    “These children are victims first and foremost, who are coerced and controlled – and they need safeguarding, not prosecution. The government’s recent commitment to a statutory definition of Child Criminal Exploitation is a crucial step, but now we must ensure that this translates into practice. At Catch22, across our County Lines and Child Exploitation services, we remain committed to working with partners across the system to protect every child from harm and help them build a safer future.”

    Action for Children
    Action for Children offers support to children and their families who are affected by criminal exploitation.

    Through their Criminal Exploitation Intervention Service, they support children, young people, and families affected by exploitation. By drawing on lived experience and working in close partnership with the police and other agencies, they help protect children from harm and guide them toward safety and stability.

    Action for Children also advocate for stronger legal protections for children who are criminally exploited—recognising the complex reality that these children are often both victims of abuse and may be criminalised for actions linked to their exploitation.  It is vital that we confront the risks these children face, and ensure they are supported, not punished. Read more: Criminally Exploited Children | Action For Children

    Together we can build stronger communities, safer streets and more trust, you should report any concerns to the police on 101. If on a train text British Transport Police on 61016. Dial 999 if there is an immediate risk to a child. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously online or call their helpline on 0800 555111. If concerns arise online people should also contact the relevant digital platform.

    Background info:

    County Lines – Strategic Threat Risk Assessment

    Review of drugs: summary (accessible version) – GOV.UK

    County Lines Programme data – GOV.UK

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met Police shut down over 100 county lines in major crackdown on organised crime gangs

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    The Met has shut down over 100 drug lines as part of its efforts to reduce the number of vulnerable people exposed to criminality and abuse and tackle wider associated violence.

    In just one week (between Monday, 23 June and Sunday, 29 June) Met officers arrested 301 people believed to be behind county lines drug networks, with 111 individuals subsequently charged, so far.

    As well as this, 260 vulnerable or young people were engaged with and safeguarded to prevent their involvement in future organised crime, with officers making crucial interventions to keep them safe.

    ‘County lines’ is the name given to drug dealing where organised criminal groups (OCGs) and criminal gangs use phone lines to move and supply drugs, historically from cities into smaller towns and rural areas.

    While county lines is a very violent business model, the most insidious element is its exploitation of vulnerable people, including children and those with mental health or addiction issues, by recruiting them to distribute the drugs, or using their homes as a base for drug dealing in a practice known as ‘cuckooing’.

    Detective Superintendent Dan Mitchell, from the Metropolitan Police Service and National County Lines Coordination Centre, said:

    “The Commissioner recently spoke about the indisputable link between county lines and violence. Disrupting county lines is not only vital in keeping society’s most vulnerable safe, but also as a key part of our mission in tackling violence.

    “The criminals behind these networks are dangerous individuals, capable of manipulating and exploiting anyone to achieve their aims.

    “Dedicated Met officers continue to work closely with other police forces around the UK to ensure dangerous offenders are stopped.”

    Met officers also seized substantial evidential items from suspects during the same week, including:

    • 12 firearms
    • 78 dangerous weapons (including samurai swords and Zombie knives)
    • nearly 70kg of class A drugs (such as crack cocaine and heroin),
    • over £600,000 of cash

    On Thursday, 26 June a county line between London and Hampshire was also halted by police. They arrested four male suspects at addresses in London and Portsmouth.

    At one address in the Isle of Dogs, London, a suspect was arrested and found in possession of several class A and class B drugs, cash amounting to over £5,000 and several high-value items including sports cars and designer watches.

    Two others were arrested at addresses in Portsmouth and one was detained at London Gatwick Airport.

    There have since been charges relating to these arrests.

    For more information on county lines and how to prevent yourself or a loved one from becoming a victim, visit:  www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/cl/county-lines

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USCENTCOM Commander Conducts Middle East Trip to Visit U.S. Service Members and Strengthen Regional Partnerships

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Commander, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla conducted a multi-nation trip through the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean from June 30 to July 3, to visit the U.S. service members involved in the defense of U.S. forces and interests across the region as well as meet with key regional defense leaders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Israel, and Greece.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: TALLAHASSEE MAN SENTENCED FOR CARRYING A GLOCK SWITCH

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

    TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jimmy Bender, 19, of Tallahassee, Florida was sentenced to 24 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possessing a machinegun. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

    According to court records, officers with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), Violent Crimes Response Team, were patrolling in the southeastern portion of Tallahassee due to complaints of criminal activity in the area.  A TPD officer observed Bender commit a traffic violation and then stopped the vehicle. As the officers removed Bender from the vehicle, they discovered a Glock.40 caliber handgun with extended magazine. The handgun was also equipped with a machinegun conversion device, or “Glock switch,” which unlawfully enabled the firearm to shoot multiple rounds with a single trigger pull.

    U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the hard work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners, our community can rest easy knowing this dangerous individual has been removed from our streets. Criminals considering carrying an illegally converted machinegun should know my office will aggressively prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

    The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the TPD Violent Crimes Response Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Welch.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: TALLAHASSEE MAN SENTENCED FOR CARRYING A GLOCK SWITCH

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

    TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jimmy Bender, 19, of Tallahassee, Florida was sentenced to 24 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possessing a machinegun. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

    According to court records, officers with the Tallahassee Police Department (TPD), Violent Crimes Response Team, were patrolling in the southeastern portion of Tallahassee due to complaints of criminal activity in the area.  A TPD officer observed Bender commit a traffic violation and then stopped the vehicle. As the officers removed Bender from the vehicle, they discovered a Glock.40 caliber handgun with extended magazine. The handgun was also equipped with a machinegun conversion device, or “Glock switch,” which unlawfully enabled the firearm to shoot multiple rounds with a single trigger pull.

    U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the hard work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners, our community can rest easy knowing this dangerous individual has been removed from our streets. Criminals considering carrying an illegally converted machinegun should know my office will aggressively prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

    The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the TPD Violent Crimes Response Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Welch.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 13 renamed to Northwest District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/03/2025 04:30 PM EDT

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 13th District PA Detachment Astoria
    Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Astoria
    Office: (503) 861-6380
    After Hours: (206) 220-7237
    PA Detachment Astoria online newsroom

     

    07/03/2025 04:09 PM EDT

    SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 1 renamed to Northeast District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/03/2025 04:30 PM EDT

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
    Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
    D1PublicAffairs@uscg.mil
    1st District online newsroom

     

    07/03/2025 04:04 PM EDT

    The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District 1 will now be known as USCG Northeast District.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: USS Gabrielle Giffords arrives in Seattle

    Source: United States Navy Pacific Fleet 1

    SEATTLE – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) departed Naval Base San Diego June 23 and arrived at its new homeport of Seattle June 28, following an 18-month rotational deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 14 renamed to Coast Guard Oceania District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    07/03/2025 03:59 PM EDT

    HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District Fourteen will now be known as Coast Guard Oceania District.

    For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 14 renamed to Coast Guard Oceania District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    07/03/2025 03:59 PM EDT

    HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District Fourteen will now be known as Coast Guard Oceania District.

    For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 17 renamed to U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release

    		  

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

     

    07/03/2025 03:53 PM EDT

    JUNEAU, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District 17 will now be known as U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 17 renamed to U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release

    		  

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

     

    07/03/2025 03:53 PM EDT

    JUNEAU, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District 17 will now be known as U.S. Coast Guard Arctic District.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Media Advisory: Coast Guard to hold Arctic District change of command ceremony in Juneau, Alaska

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release

    		  

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

     

    07/03/2025 03:51 PM EDT

    JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard is scheduled to hold a change of command ceremony Friday for the Coast Guard Arctic District commander at the Air National Guard Hangar in Juneau.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 7 renamed to Coast Guard Southeast District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 07/03/2025 04:15 PM EDT

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville
    Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville
    Office: 904-714-7606/7607
    After Hours: 786-393-4138
    PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

     

    07/03/2025 03:11 PM EDT

    MIAMI — The U.S. Coast Guard announced, Thursday, the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District 7 will now be known as Coast Guard Southeast District.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 8 renamed to Heartland District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
    Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
    Office: 504-671-2020
    After Hours: 618-225-9008
    Eighth District online newsroom

     

    Port conditions change based on weather forecasts, and current port conditions can be viewed on the following Coast Guard homeport webpages:

    For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 8 renamed to Heartland District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
    Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
    Office: 504-671-2020
    After Hours: 618-225-9008
    Eighth District online newsroom

     

    Port conditions change based on weather forecasts, and current port conditions can be viewed on the following Coast Guard homeport webpages:

    For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dominican National Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Manchester

    Source: US FBI

    CONCORD – A Dominican Republic national was arrested yesterday for possessing with the intent to distribute illegal narcotics in Manchester, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

    Daris Rafael Melo Vittini, age 39, a Dominican Republic national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Massachusetts, was arrested on one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, namely fentanyl and crack cocaine. He appeared in federal court today and was detained.

    According to the charging document and statements made in court, on June 30, 2025, the Manchester Police Department observed the defendant driving around the city in a car that was known to law enforcement as being involved in narcotics distribution. Law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, and a narcotics-detecting K-9 positively alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the car. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found inside a “hide” in the center console approximately 114 grams of suspected fentanyl and 13 grams of suspected crack cocaine, all in pre-packaged baggies. Also inside the hide was approximately $1,500. The defendant had approximately 45 grams of suspected fentanyl and 37 grams of suspected crack cocaine on him, all in pre-packaged baggies. In total, law enforcement recovered approximately 119 pre-packaged baggies of suspected fentanyl and crack cocaine. 

    Possession with intent to distribute carries a maximum prison term of 20 years, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and a term of supervised of at least three years and up to life.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Offender Task Force and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting the case.

    This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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

     

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard District 11 renamed to Southwest District

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    07/03/2025 03:01 PM EDT

    ALAMEDA, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard today announced the renaming of its operational districts from numerical to geographic designations, a key initiative under Force Design 2028 (FD2028). Within this Service-wide renaming initiative, Coast Guard District 11 will now be known as Southwest District.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DOJ/FTC Host Listening Session on Lowering Americans’ Drug Prices Through Competition

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    “…I know that these topics touch many other people and businesses in America, and we want to hear from you because we work for you at the end of the day. If you have concerns about specific anti-competitive practices, please reach out to the DOJ and FTC directly or through the healthy competition complaint center: HealthyCompetition.gov”

    -Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Abigail Slater

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Violent Crew That Robbed South Asian Jewelers at Gunpoint Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison

    Source: US FBI

                WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced today that Robert Sheffield, 34, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for participating in a conspiracy that staged a multi-state string of violent gun-point robberies of South Asian jewelry stores. The robberies netted millions of dollars in cash and gold for a 15-member crew, allegedly led by Trevor Wright, aka rapper “Taliban Glizzy.”

                Sheffield, aka “Da Real Lifaa,” pleaded guilty Feb. 20, 2025, before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery), and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. In addition to the nine-year prison term, Judge Cooper ordered Sheffield to serve five years of supervised release.

                Before they were apprehended, the co-conspirators robbed at least 11 jewelry stores, terrorized multiple victims and left behind a wake of destruction and financial loss.

                In his plea agreement, Sheffield admitted to his involvement in the Nov. 10, 2023 armed robbery of $1 million in cash and gold from the Baral Jewelers in Harrisburg, Pa., and his role as the gunman during the April 28, 2023 armed robbery of Yasini Jewelers in Falls Church, Va., during which the store owner fired gunshots at the intruders, who returned gunfire.

                In addition to the 108-month prison term, Judge Cooper ordered Sheffield to serve five years of supervised release.

                According to court documents, over the course of 18 months, Sheffield and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to rob multiple South Asian jewelry stores of heavy gold jewelry of high purity. The conspiracy began in January 2022 and continued until August 2023 after several of the co-conspirators had been charged and arrested.

                On Nov. 10, 2022, at around 6:30 p.m., Sheffield and several co-conspirators traveled from the District to Baral Jewelers in Harrisburg in two vehicles. After arriving, at least two co-conspirators remained in the vehicles to act as “getaway” drivers, while several others, including Sheffield, rushed into the store. Two armed co-conspirators remained in the front of Baral, a grocery area, subduing the employees and customers there as four others, including the Sheffield, ran to the rear where the gold jewelry was housed.

                As employees and customers in the front of the store cowered in terror, covering their faces or ears, a gunman held the store owner at gunpoint and took about $600 from the cash register. Meanwhile, one of the four suspects in the rear of the store used a gun to coerce an employee to the ground as Sheffield and others smashed the glass display cases and shoveled gold jewelry into large bags.

                A week later, a co-defendant posted an image on social media of Sheffield fanning a stack of cash. On Nov. 30, 2022, the same co-defendant posted an Instagram story of Sheffield purchasing a Rolex watch with cash at a jewelry store in Prince George’s Mall. In the Instagram video, Sheffield counts out multiple $100 bills before the camera pans over to the Rolex he is purchasing and shows a certificate showing an appraisal value for the watch of $11,500.

                On April 28, 2023, Sheffield and at least five co-conspirators drove from the District to Yasini Jewelers in Falls Church, Virginia, which had been a prior target of this conspiracy in January 2022, resulting in the theft of $300,000 to $400,000 in gold jewelry. At 8 p.m., a co-defendant smashed Yasini’s storefront window with a sledgehammer. Immediately, five masked suspects ran into the store through the broken window. Among them was Sheffield, who was armed with a loaded Glock 23, 40 caliber pistol.

                The Yasini store owner retrieved his own firearm and fired once. The co-conspirators fled the store before taking any jewelry. Sheffield fired two shots at the owner before running back to the getaway vehicle.

                On August 30, 2023, law enforcement arrested Sheffield and other codefendants and searched their residences. During a search, law enforcement recovered the firearm Sheffield had discharged in Yasini and further recovered 21 live rounds of 9mm ammunition from Sheffield’s home.

                Sheffield previously served five years in prison for an armed robbery involving use of a firearm.

                This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, the Metropolitan Police Department, FBI Newark and Washington Field Offices, and U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Andrea Duvall.

    DEFENDANT

    AKA

    HOME

    		 CHARGES/SENTENCE
    Trevor Wright, 33 Taliban Glizzy Washington DC Interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery);  conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; possessing a firearm during a crime of violence; money laundering; conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.
    William Hunter, 28 Ill Will Washington DC Sentenced to 228 months on Dec. 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to interfering with interstate commerce by robbery, aka Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Avery Fuller, 29 Deavry Cordell Fuller,  Fully Ace Washington DC Pending sentencing after pleading guilty in the Middle District of Florida to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Franklin Hunter, 30 Gino Washington DC Pleaded guilty Sept. 4, 2024, to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Davon Johnson, 31 YB Washington DC Sentenced to 111 months on November 20, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Decarlos Hill, 30 Los Maryland Sentenced to 57 months on November 6, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
    Lamont Marable, 28   Washington DC Sentenced to 93 months on November 11, 2024, for interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery);  and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Keith McDuffie, 27   California Interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery);  conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Jameise Christian, 33 Safety, Safe, Safe Play Washington DC Pending sentencing after pleading guilty in the Middle District of Florida to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Andrew Smith, 30 Drewso, Drew Maryland Sentenced to 138 months in prison on Oct.17, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Robert Sheffield, 33 Da Real Lifaa Washington DC Sentenced to 108 months on July 2, 2025, for interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery);  possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Jaylaun Brown, 22 Lil Launy Washington DC Pleaded guilty Feb. 7, 2025, to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery (aka Hobbs Act robbery) and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
    Timothy Conrad, 33 Twin Washington DC Sentenced to 168 months on October 1, 2024, for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Antonio Tate, 21   Washington DC Sentenced to 120 months for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
    Delonte Martin, 35   Washington DC Sentenced to 108 months for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; and for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

    23cr137

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Adds New Languages to CBP Home Mobile App to Support Voluntary Self-Deportation Under Project Homecoming

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    DHS Adds New Languages to CBP Home Mobile App to Support Voluntary Self-Deportation Under Project Homecoming

    Chinese and Hindi added to the CBP Home Mobile App

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is adding two new languages to the CBP Home Mobile App: Simplified Chinese and Hindi. This update dramatically expands the app’s accessibility to make it easier for millions of illegal aliens to voluntarily self-deport under President Trump’s Project Homecoming initiative.

    With these new additions, even more illegal aliens can take control of their departure, avoid detention, and manage their return with dignity and order.

    “There is ZERO excuse for you to stay in the United States if you are an illegal alien. The United States taxpayer is generously offering those in this country illegally $1,000 and a free flight home.” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These new languages make it easier than ever for illegal aliens to do the right thing and self deport with dignity and order. Don’t make us come after you. If we do, you will be arrested, fined, deported, and never allowed to return. Download the CBP Home Mobile App and leave NOW.”

    Through Project Homecoming, illegal aliens who self-deport using the CBP Home Mobile App benefit from several incentives, including:

    • Cost-free travel to their home country or another country where they have lawful status.
    • Forgiveness of civil fines for failure to depart after a final order or voluntary departure order.
    • A $1,000 exit bonus upon confirmed return, using the mobile app.
    • Preserve the potential opportunity to return to the United States the right, legal way.

    CBP Home is available for free on any Apple or Android device via Apple’s App Store and Google Play, or directly from DHS.gov. For further information, visit DHS.gov/CBPhome.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Adds New Languages to CBP Home Mobile App to Support Voluntary Self-Deportation Under Project Homecoming

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    DHS Adds New Languages to CBP Home Mobile App to Support Voluntary Self-Deportation Under Project Homecoming

    Chinese and Hindi added to the CBP Home Mobile App

    WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is adding two new languages to the CBP Home Mobile App: Simplified Chinese and Hindi. This update dramatically expands the app’s accessibility to make it easier for millions of illegal aliens to voluntarily self-deport under President Trump’s Project Homecoming initiative.

    With these new additions, even more illegal aliens can take control of their departure, avoid detention, and manage their return with dignity and order.

    “There is ZERO excuse for you to stay in the United States if you are an illegal alien. The United States taxpayer is generously offering those in this country illegally $1,000 and a free flight home.” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “These new languages make it easier than ever for illegal aliens to do the right thing and self deport with dignity and order. Don’t make us come after you. If we do, you will be arrested, fined, deported, and never allowed to return. Download the CBP Home Mobile App and leave NOW.”

    Through Project Homecoming, illegal aliens who self-deport using the CBP Home Mobile App benefit from several incentives, including:

    • Cost-free travel to their home country or another country where they have lawful status.
    • Forgiveness of civil fines for failure to depart after a final order or voluntary departure order.
    • A $1,000 exit bonus upon confirmed return, using the mobile app.
    • Preserve the potential opportunity to return to the United States the right, legal way.

    CBP Home is available for free on any Apple or Android device via Apple’s App Store and Google Play, or directly from DHS.gov. For further information, visit DHS.gov/CBPhome.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former FBI Procurement Official Agrees to Plead Guilty to Bid-Rigging Scheme to Obtain Electronics Contracts

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – A former electronics technician at the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and his sister were charged today with conspiring to defraud the United States to obtain at least $350,000 in low-bid electronics equipment contracts from the FBI.

    Jeffrey Spencer, 51, of Canyon Country, and Christy Evereklian, 43, of Temecula, were charged via a single-count information filed today with conspiracy to defraud the United States. In plea agreements also filed today, Spencer and Evereklian both agreed to plead guilty to the felony offense, which carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. 

    Spencer and Evereklian are expected to enter their guilty pleas in the coming weeks in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. 

    According to their plea agreements, from August 2015 through August 2020, Spencer and Evereklian conspired to defraud the United States by impeding the solicitation of competitive bids for electronic equipment by deceitful and dishonest means. Spencer, who was an FBI procurement official and solicited bids for electronic equipment, conspired with Evereklian to submit purportedly independent and competitive bids from Evereklian’s several companies for FBI contracts.

    In fact, Spencer and Evereklian already had decided which company would submit the lowest – and presumably winning – bid for a contract. Evereklian submitted bids from her own companies to the FBI using the names of her relatives to conceal her control over bidding companies, and she used a random number generator to create the fraudulent bids. 

    Evereklian further admitted in her plea agreement that during the conspiracy, her companies won at least $350,000 in contracts from the FBI. 

    The United States Department of Justice Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation in this matter as part of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF).

    Assistant United States Attorney Jason Pang of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Orange County Man Charged in Federal Complaint Alleging He Helped $270 Million Medi-Cal Scam Involving Medication Reimbursement

    Source: US FBI

    LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man has been charged via federal criminal complaint with submitting over an 11-month span nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal for expensive prescription drugs containing generic ingredients that were not medically necessary and, in many instances, not provided to the purported recipients, the Justice Department announced today.

    Paul Richard Randall, 66, of Orange, is charged with health care fraud, a felony that carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

    Randall made his initial appearance in United States District Court in Los Angeles on Friday and was ordered jailed without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for July 17.

    Today’s announcement was made as part of the Justice Department’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers.

    Demonstrating the significant return on investment that results from health care fraud enforcement efforts, the government seized more than $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as part of the coordinated enforcement efforts. As part of the whole-of-government approach to combating health care fraud announced today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced that it successfully prevented more than $4 billion from being paid in response to false and fraudulent claims and that it suspended or revoked the billing privileges of 205 providers in the months leading up to the Takedown. Civil charges against 20 defendants for $14.2 million in alleged fraud, as well as civil settlements with 106 defendants totaling $34.3 million, were also announced as part of the Takedown.

    “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

    “Public health programs are designed to help the sick and needy, not to help unscrupulous individuals pad their pockets,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Working with our federal and state law enforcement partners, we will continue to crack down on those who cheat taxpayers via health care fraud.” 

    According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Randall, Kyrollos Mekail, 37, of Moreno Valley, and Patricia Anderson, 57, of West Hills, took advantage of Medi-Cal’s suspension of its requirement that health care providers obtain prior authorization before providing certain health care services or medications as a condition of reimbursement. The suspension of the prior authorization requirements was part of an ongoing transition of Medi-Cal’s prescription drug program to a new payment system.

    Through a business called Monte Vista Pharmacy, Randall and his co-schemers exploited Medi-Cal’s prior authorization suspension by billing Medi-Cal tens of millions of dollars per month for dispensing high-reimbursement, non-contracted, generic drugs through Monte Vista Pharmacy. Some prescription medications purportedly were to treat pain and included Folite tablets, a vitamin available over the counter.

    Normally, these high-cost reimbursement medications would have required prior authorization under Medi-Cal’s old payment system. Medication involved in this scheme was medically unnecessary, frequently was not dispensed to patients, and procured by kickbacks. 

    From May 2022 to April 2023, Monte Vista billed Medi-Cal more than $269 million and was paid more than $178 million for 19 expensive, non-contracted drugs containing low-cost, generic ingredients that were not medically necessary, not provided, or both.

    Randall and others then laundered their illicit proceeds by transferring the proceeds of the Medi-Cal fraud scheme to a third party to pay kickbacks to Anderson, to promote the fraud scheme and to conceal and disguise the transfers from detection by law enforcement.

    A criminal complaint contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Relatedly, Anderson was charged in a two-count information charging her with health care fraud for her role in the scheme which was unsealed last week. Mekail pleaded guilty to criminal charges in August 2024 and awaits sentencing.

    The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI, and the California Department of Justice are investigating this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Roger A. Hsieh of the Major Frauds Section and Assistant Chief Niall M. O’Donnell and Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section are prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling asset forfeiture matters in this case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 Disestablished; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 10 Established

    Source: United States Navy

    VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The U.S. Navy marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter during a ceremony July 3, as Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 was formally disestablished and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EOD) 10 was established aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Indicted for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

    Source: US FBI

    NEW ORLEANS – Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that SHAWN ROUSELL (“ROUSELL”), age 30, was indicted on June 26, 2025, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

    According to the indictment, ROUSELL, possessed a Glock Model 27, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, loaded with ammunition. ROUSELL is a convicted felon and, as such, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.  If convicted, ROUSELL  faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that an indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Orleans Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.  Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

                                                                           *   *   * 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Former Evangeline Parish Law Enforcement Officer with Production and Receipt of Child Pornography

    Source: US FBI

    LAFAYETTE, La. – Acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a former Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been indicted on child pornography charges. A grand jury in the Western District of Louisiana has returned an indictment charging Joshua Uhlman, 36, of Pine Prairie, Louisiana, with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography.

    The indictment alleges that between on or about September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman did attempt to employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct and attempted to do so for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of said conduct, knowing that the visual depiction would be transmitted using interstate commerce. 

    It is further alleged in the indictment that between on or about September 2024 and February 2, 2025, Uhlman did knowingly receive child pornography, using any means and facility of interstate and foreign commerce and in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce, including by computer.

    If convicted, Uhlman faces a sentence of at least 15 years and no more than 30 years on each production of child pornography count; a minimum of 5 years and no more than 20 years on the receipt of child pornography count; 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or both.  

    An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

    The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig R. Bordelon, II.

    To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Canton Man Charged in National Health Care Fraud Takedown

    Source: US FBI

    Over 300 defendants charged nationwide in connection with more than $14.6 billion in alleged fraud, making it the largest health care fraud takedown in history

    BOSTON – Today, as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a Canton, Mass. man has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with an alleged fraud scheme to defraud Medicare of over $4 million by submitting claims for durable medical equipment (DME) that was medically unnecessary, not wanted by the Medicare beneficiaries, and  tainted by kickbacks.

    Krishna Gidwani, 55, of Canton, Mass., was charged by an Information with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The Court has scheduled a plea hearing for July 30, 2025.  

    According to the charging documents, Gidwani allegedly worked with Raju Sharma, and other co-conspirators to own and operate a DME company that paid telemarketing companies for DME orders for orthotics such as ankle, wrist, knee and back braces. Often, the Medicare beneficiaries did not need or want the braces the defendants shipped them and, as further alleged in the information, the doctors whose signatures appeared on these DME orders often did not treat these beneficiaries and did not prescribe the DME. In May 2025, Sharma, agreed to plead guilty to health care fraud conspiracy for his alleged role in the scheme. His plea hearing is scheduled for July 8, 2025.

    The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, supervised release for up to three years and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    “Mr. Gidwani is accused of manipulating Medicare to enrich himself – misusing the names of unwitting doctors to push unwanted and unnecessary medical equipment onto elderly patients. Health care fraud is not a victimless crime. It drives up costs, exploits vulnerable patients and undermines public trust in our medical system,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s charges are part of a historic, nationwide effort to hold accountable those who abuse federal health care programs for personal gain. Our office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to root out fraud and ensure that Medicare dollars support genuine patient care, not criminal profit.”

    “This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”

    “The scale of today’s Takedown is unprecedented, and so is the harm we’re confronting. Individuals who attempt to steal from the federal health care system and put vulnerable patients at risk will be held accountable,” said HHS-OIG Acting Inspector General Juliet T. Hodgkins. “Our agents at HHS-OIG work relentlessly to detect, investigate, and dismantle these fraud schemes. We are proud to stand with our law enforcement partners in protecting taxpayer dollars and safeguarding patient care.”

    “Health care fraud affects everyone. Not only does it put a strain on our country’s vital health care system, but it costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “FBI Boston will continue to work with our law enforcement and private sector partners to identify and investigate individuals like Krishna Gidwani who are accused of submitting claims that are medically unnecessary and tainted by kickbacks.”

    U.S. Attorney Foley; AG Bondi; HHS-OIG Acting IG Hodgkins; and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren A. Graber and Sarah B. Hoefle of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

    Today’s announcement is part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in intended loss and over 15 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. The United States has seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles and other assets in connection with the takedown.

    The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle, District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle, District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorney Generals’ Offices for Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are prosecuting the cases in the National Health Care Fraud Takedown, with assistance from the Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team. Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nine Charged with Alleged Scheme to Generate Revenue for North Korean Government and Its Weapons of Mass Destruction Program

    Source: US FBI

    Overseas operatives allegedly used stolen identities of American citizens to obtain remote jobs with U.S. companies, including Fortune 500 companies

    UPDATE: This press release was revised on July 3, 2025 to reflect that a 10th individual was charged in a separate charging document that was unsealed on July 2, 2025. 

    BOSTON – Nine individuals have been indicted in Boston, Mass. including one New Jersey man and eight overseas actors from China and Taiwan in connection with an alleged scheme to generate revenue for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. The alleged scheme involved the dispatchment of skilled information technology (IT) workers who, using stolen identities of U.S. persons, posed as domestic workers to obtain remote IT jobs with U.S. companies, including several Fortune 500 companies and a defense contractor.

    The following defendants have been indicted for their roles in the scheme, which generated at least $5 million in revenue for North Korea:  

    1. U.S. national Zhenxing “Danny” Wang of New Jersey;
    2. Chinese national Jing Bin Huang (靖斌 黄);
    3. Chinese national Baoyu Zhou (周宝玉);
    4. Chinese national Tong Yuze (佟雨泽);
    5. Chinese national Yongzhe Xu (徐勇哲 andيونجزهي أكسو), currently residing in the United Arab Emirates;
    6. Chinese national Ziyou Yuan (زيو), currently residing in the United Arab Emirates;
    7. Chinese national Zhenbang Zhou (周震邦);
    8. Taiwanese national Mengting Liu (劉 孟婷); and
    9. Taiwanese national Enchia Liu (刘恩)

    Zhenxing Wang was arrested earlier today in New Jersey. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. A second U.S. national, Kejia “Tony” Wang of New Jersey, has also been charged in a separate charging document for his role in the scheme and has agreed to plead guilty.

    As alleged in court documents, in response to U.S. and U.N. sanctions, the DPRK government has dispatched thousands of skilled IT workers around the world, who stole identities of U.S. persons and posed as domestic workers to obtain remote IT jobs with U.S. companies and generate revenue for DPRK weapons of mass destruction WMD programs. The DPRK IT workers’ scheme involved the use of pseudonymous email, social media, payment platform and online job site accounts, as well as false websites, proxy computers, and third-party enablers in the United States and abroad. According to the court documents the IT workers employed under this scheme also gained access to sensitive employer data and source code, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations data from a California-based defense contractor that develops artificial intelligence-powered equipment and technologies

    “The threat posed by DPRK operatives is both real and immediate. Thousands of North Korean cyber operatives have been trained and deployed by the regime to blend into the global digital workforce and systematically target U.S. companies,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will continue to work relentlessly to protect U.S. businesses and ensure they are not inadvertently fueling the DPRK’s unlawful and dangerous ambitions.”

    “These schemes target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime’s illicit programs, including its weapons programs,” said John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department, along with our law enforcement, private sector, and international partners, will persistently pursue and dismantle these cyber-enabled revenue generation networks.”

    “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to expose and mitigate these fraudulent IT schemes and provide unwavering support to victims of North Korean cyber actors. While we have disrupted this group, this is merely the initial phase of the problem. The government of North Korea has trained and deployed thousands of IT workers to carry out similar schemes against U.S. companies daily. Protect your business by thoroughly vetting fully remote workers. The FBI strongly advises organizations to closely monitor their data, strengthen their remote hiring processes, and report any suspicious activity or fraud to the FBI,” said Rafik Mattar, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Las Vegas Division.

    “These Indictments should act as a deterrent for individuals and foreign entities attempting to illegally export critical defense information,” said John E. Helsing, Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Western Field Office. “DCIS will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute those who threaten our National Security and America’s Warfighters.”

    “This multiagency case demonstrates the power of law enforcement agencies collaborating to dismantle international fraudulent schemes involving technology,” said Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in San Diego. “Let this investigation prove that HSI will aggressively identify and bring to justice those who seek to steal intellectual property through illegal access to computer networks in order to financially profit and jeopardize U.S.-based businesses who have fallen victim to these actors.”

    According to the indictment, from approximately 2021 through October 2024, the defendants and other co-conspirators perpetuated a massive fraud scheme resulting in the transmission of false and misleading information to dozens of U.S. companies, financial institutions, and government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Specifically, these defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly compromised the identities of more than 80 U.S. persons; fraudulently obtained remote jobs at more than 100 U.S. companies, including several Fortune 500 companies and a cleared defense contractor; received laptops and other hardware from U.S. companies; accessed, without authorization, the internal systems of these U.S. companies, including sensitive employer data and source code; generated at least $5 million in revenue for the overseas IT workers; and caused U.S. victim companies to incur legal fees, computer network remediation costs, and other damages and losses of at least $3 million.  

    The overseas IT workers were allegedly assisted in this scheme by Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and at least four other identified U.S. facilitators. These facilitators allegedly received and/or hosted laptops belonging to U.S. victim companies at their residences to deceive the U.S. companies into believing the IT workers were in the United States. It is further alleged that they facilitated remote access to the computers for the overseas IT workers through illicit means, including downloading software to the computers without authorization from the U.S. companies, connecting the U.S. companies’ computers to internet-connected KVM switches, and creating shell companies with corresponding websites and financial accounts, including Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC and Independent Lab LLC to make it appear as though the overseas IT workers were affiliated with legitimate U.S. businesses. These facilitators also allegedly established accounts at U.S. financial institutions and online money transfer services to receive money from victimized U.S. companies, much of which was subsequently transferred to overseas co-conspirators. In exchange for their services, it is alleged that Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the other U.S. facilitators collected at least $696,000 in fees.  

    According to court documents, in October 2024, seven locations in New York, New Jersey and California were searched and voluntary interviews at so-called “laptop farms” were conducted (that is, premises used to host U.S company laptop computers used in furtherance of the scheme), resulting in the recovery of more than 70 victim company devices. Additionally, 21 fraudulent web domains used to facilitate North Korean IT work have been seized, and 29 financial accounts, holding tens of thousands of dollars in funds, used to launder revenue for the North Korean regime through remote IT work.

    Also today, the Northern District of Georgia unsealed an indictment charging four North Korean nationals with a scheme to steal virtual currency held by two victim companies valued at over $750,000 and laundering the proceeds overseas. Unlike traditional North Korean IT workers, who usually seek employment with the goal of remitting their salaries back to North Korea, the defendants charged by the Northern District of Georgia allegedly sought employment with virtual currency-related businesses to earn the trust of those businesses and then stole those businesses’ virtual assets.

    Today’s announcement is the culmination of a multi-year investigation by federal law enforcement agencies and is one of several announced today as part of the Justice Department’s initiative, DPRK: Domestic Enabler. Under the initiative, Department prosecutors and agents continue to prioritize high-impact, strategic, and unified enforcement and disruption operations targeting DPRK’s illicit revenue generation efforts through remote IT workers, and the U.S.-based individuals who enable them.

    The U.S. Department of State has offered potential rewards for up to $5 million in support of international efforts to disrupt North Korea’s illicit financial activities, including for certain information related to individuals who are sent outside of North Korea to work to generate money for the North Korean government or who facilitate the activities of such North Korean nationals.

    The charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to cause damage to a protected computer provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of conspiracy to commit identity theft provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    U.S. Attorney Foley; AAG Eisenberg; FBI Las Vegas Acting SAC Mattar; DCIS San Diego Acting SAC Helsing; and HSI San Diego SAC Shawn Gibson made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Casey of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia, Jr. of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section. Valuable assistance was provided by FBI New York, Newark and San Diego Field Offices; HSI Newark Field Office; United States Postal Inspection Service’s San Diego Field Office; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Jersey, the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of California.

    The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Farmington Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

    Source: US FBI

    CONCORD – A Farmington man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to the possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

    Michael F.J. Murphy, age 45, pleaded guilty in federal court in Concord to one count of possession of child pornography.  U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro scheduled Murphy’s sentencing for October 14, 2025.

    According to the charging documents and statements made in court, in December 2023, the defendant shared a video depicting CSAM with law enforcement using a file-sharing platform.

    The charging statute provides for a sentence of up to 10 years of imprisonment, but if any image of child pornography involved in the offense involved a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age, the maximum penalty is increased to 20 years of imprisonment. The statute provides for a supervised release term of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a maximum fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Idaho Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit led the investigation. The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United Kingdom South East Regional Crime Unit, and the Farmington Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case.

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

     

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –