NewzIntel.com

Category: Security

  • MIL-OSI Security: Felon Who Hid Loaded, Fully Automatic Handgun in Six-Year-Old Nephew’s Pants Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Federal Prison

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

    SAN FRANCISCO – Darneko Yates, 30, of Richmond, Calif., was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony.  U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín handed down the sentence.

    Yates was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), following a one-day bench trial on Jan. 17, 2025.  The evidence at trial established that on Aug. 27, 2023, police officers stopped Yates for a vehicle infraction.  Yates’s young nephew and niece were in the backseat of his car.  Police officers discovered that Yates possessed a loaded automatic handgun, which was concealed in the front of his six-year-old nephew’s pants.  At the time, Yates was on parole following three felony convictions for carjacking, solicitation to commit murder, and possessing a loaded firearm.  

    In addition to the prison term, Judge Martinez-Olguín ordered Yates to serve three years of supervised release.

    Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani made the announcement.

    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 of Justice 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.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leif Dautch and Richard Ewenstein are prosecuting this case.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and the San Pablo Police Department.  
     

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Charged With Providing Material Support to a Conspiracy to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    So-Called “Garri Master,” or Master of Mutilation, called for violent attacks against Cameroonian civilian population and raised funds to supply AK-47s to separatist groups.

    Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Eric Tano Tataw, 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The Cameroonian national, also known as “the Garri Master,” is charged with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist groups in Cameroon and making threatening communications to injure or kidnap Cameroonian civilians.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland.

    According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist groups sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to coerce and intimidate the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

    “Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” Hayes said.  “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

    “The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” Galeotti said. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

    “The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” Bai said. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

    As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning no later than April 2018, Tataw conspired to provide material support and resources — including money, weapons, and personnel — to Amba Boys in Cameroon, and called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of Cameroonian civilians. Tataw and his co-conspirators directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people.  Additionally, Tataw referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

    Tataw and his co-conspirators targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a government-owned company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the Cameroonian government. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

    Tataw and his co-conspirators solicited and raised funds to supply Amba Boys with firearms, ammunition, explosive materials, and other equipment for enforcing lockdown or “ghost-town” orders and carrying out violent attacks.  A fundraising campaign, known as the “National AK Campaign,” was designed to arm each Amba Boy in Cameroon with an AK-47 rifle.  From about September 2018 through December 2020, Tataw and his co-conspirators raised more than $110,000. Tataw and co-conspirators transferred portions of these funds — either directly or through intermediaries — to Amba Boys located in Cameroon and neighboring Nigeria. Additionally, Tataw communicated directly with Amba Boy leaders on the ground in Cameroon. Tataw also, on multiple occasions, personally took credit for Amba Boys murdering, kidnapping, and maiming civilians in connection with the separatists’ cause.

    An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  All defendants charged by indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.  If convicted, Tataw faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of making threatening communications to injure or kidnap. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI Maryland’s Document and Benefit Fraud/El Dorado Task Force, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation – Baltimore Field Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christina A. Hoffman and Joseph Wenner; Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section; and Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs, National Security Division, who are prosecuting this case, along with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for their valuable assistance.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. To report a Maryland-based hate crime, contact the FBI Baltimore field office at (410) 265-8080 or www.tips.fbi.gov. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Halifax County Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison for Distributing Narcotics in Halifax County

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RALEIGH, N.C. – Troy Covington, age 54, was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine. Covington pleaded guilty to the charges on January 23, 2025.

    According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) conducted a series of controlled purchases from Covington from April 2023 to May 2024. Specifically, on July 20, 2023, HCSO conducted a purchase of more than 80 grams of pure methamphetamine from Covington using a confidential source of information.  HCSO conducted another controlled purchase from Covington on September 28, 2023, where he sold seven grams of pure methamphetamine to the source. That same day, HCSO executed a search warrant at Covington’s house in Roanoke Rapids. As a result, HCSO located more than 700 grams of pure methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, drug packaging and distribution materials, a firearm, ammunition, and approximately $2,200 in U.S. Currency.

    Covington has prior felony convictions for drug distribution, including possession with intent to distribute heroin from 2013 and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance in 2022. Additionally, Covington has a prior robbery with a dangerous weapon conviction from 2014.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III.  The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Roanoke Rapids Police Department and DEA investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case number 4:24-CR-00042                      .

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Marathon County Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dustin P. Brunker, 37, Weston, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 7 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Brunker pleaded guilty to this charge on January 28, 2025.

    In early 2024, investigators with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a group of individuals who were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Marathon County area. Brunker was identified as a distributor for the group.

    Following a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine involving Brunker in March and April of 2024, task force officers executed a search warrant at a residence that Brunker shared with co-defendant Mercadys A. Perkins in Weston. Officers found over 300 grams of methamphetamine, over $2,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia during the search.

    Further investigation revealed that between February 18, 2024, and April 12, 2024, a co-conspirator provided Brunker and Perkins approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine and 6 ounces of cocaine intended for further distribution.

    At the time of these events, Brunker was serving a term of state supervision for two felony cases and out on state bond for a felony drug charge. His state supervision was revoked, and he was sentenced to a total of 3 years in state prison, which he is currently serving. Judge Conley ordered the federal sentence run concurrently with the remainder of Brunker’s state prison sentences.

    At sentencing, Judge Conley called Brunker’s large quantity methamphetamine trafficking egregious. Judge Conley further observed that while Brunker had a lengthy prior record, the conduct in the present case showed an escalation in criminality.

    Three others were charged in connection with this drug trafficking conspiracy. Mercadys Perkins was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on April 17, 2025. Joshua Lake and Jessica Colby have pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced in the coming weeks.

    The charge against Brunker was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the case. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Trinidad ISD business manager sentenced to federal prison for theft from school district

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TYLER, Texas – An Orange, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for theft from the Trinidad Independent School District, announced Eastern District of Texas Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

    Brandon Delane Looney, 39, pleaded guilty to theft from a program receiving federal funds and was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on April 24, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, Looney stole nearly $340,000 from Trinidad ISD between 2017 and 2023 while he served as Trinidad ISD’s business manager. Federal law makes it a crime for someone to steal from an organization receiving more than $10,000 in federal funds annually.  Looney used the stolen funds to purchase personal trips to Walt Disney World and on spending sprees at the Disney Store.  Trinidad ISD is one of the poorest school districts in Texas and suffered adverse financial consequences as a result of Looney’s theft.

    Looney worked with the Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to liquidate his available assets, including his home, to pay $200,000 of the restitution before sentencing.  The remaining balance of the restitution judgment will be collectible for 20 years after the termination of Looney’s incarceration.

    This case was investigated by FBI’s Tyler Field Office, with assistance from the Tyler Police Department and the Trinidad ISD.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Austin Wells.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Wilson Man Sentenced to 10 Years on Fentanyl and Firearm Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW BERN, N.C. – A Wilson man was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison for charges related to the sale of narcotics and possession of a firearm by convicted felon.  Navon Shemar Freeman, 24, pled guilty on November 11, 2024, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, possession with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and a quantity of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    According to court documents and other information presented in court, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information in July 2023 that Freeman was selling narcotics. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) and Nash County Probation Office conducted a search of Freeman’s house and located fentanyl pills and firearms. One of the firearms seized was equipped with a fully operational, 3-D printed “switch,” which is a device that can be placed into a semi-automatic firearm to make it fully automatic.

    Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, Nash County Probation Office, and the Drug Enforcement Agency investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie A. Childress, Jimmie Bellamy, and Nicholas Hartigan  prosecuted the case.

    Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00252-FL.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Newtown Man Admits Stealing Nearly $3 Million to Fund His Day Trading Activity

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

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Anish Shukla, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced that on April 18, 2025, TIMOTHY MINGIONE, 33, of Newtown, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to an offense related to his theft of nearly $3 million to fund his day trading activity.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Mingione assisted investors in the purchase of real estate and then became the designated asset manager for the acquired properties, including overseeing the properties, addressing tenancy issues associated with the real estate, and reviewing property financials.  In this role, Mingione had access to bank accounts required for property management.  Mingione provided purchase and asset manager services for a New York-based real estate company, worked with a syndicate of investors involved in the purchase and management of five real estate properties in Connecticut and Florida, and worked as an asset manager for various other limited liability companies.

    Beginning in approximately April 2023, to fund his day trading activity, particularly in S&P 500 options, Mingione stole from the various business bank accounts he had access to by writing checks against the accounts or by wiring monies from the accounts to his personal trading account with TD Ameritrade.  Mingione tracked the monies he stole and, at times, returned funds to the accounts he had stolen from.  However, by late spring 2024, he had amassed more than $1 million in trading losses and, by the end of September 2024, had stolen nearly $3 million.

    Mingione pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of stolen money, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for July 15.

    Mingione has agreed to pay restitution of $ 2,958,203.

    Mingione is released on a $40,000 bond pending sentencing.

    This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher W. Schmeisser.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Indicted for Drug and Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Springfield man was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mass., in connection with drug and firearms offenses.

    Hector Navarro, 36, was indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, being a felon in possession of ammunition and possessing a firearm if furtherance of a drug distribution felony. Navarro is currently in state custody on related charges and will appear in federal court in Springfield at a later date.

    According to the charging document, on Jan. 27, 2025, Navarro possessed cocaine intended for distribution, along with a 9-mm handgun with no serial number and approximately 47 rounds of ammunition.

    Navarro is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to a number of prior convictions including heroin distribution, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and assault with a dangerous weapon.

    The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition provides for a sentence of at least 15 years in prison and up to life in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking felony provides for a sentence of at least five years in prison and up to life in prison, no more than three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Superintendent Lawrence Akers of the Springfield Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

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

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Inmate Sentenced to Life in Prison for Savage Murder of Cellmate at Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex

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

    TERRE HAUTE— Joshua T. Mebane, 29, of Silver Spring, Maryland, has been sentenced to life in federal prison for first degree murder. Mebane previously pled guilty in open court on October 23, 2024. 

    According to court documents, in January of 2016, Joshua Mebane was an inmate at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, serving a 45-year sentence for first degree murder in the District of Columbia. Mebane was also later convicted of murder and attempted murder in Maryland, committed in 2012, for which he received multiple life sentences.   

    On January 26, 2016, inmate Michael Tucker moved into Mebane’s cell. Just two days later, correctional officers went to retrieve Mebane for a medical appointment and called for both inmates to be present at the cell door. According to policy, all inmates in the cell must be handcuffed before opening. As the officers again called for Tucker to be handcuffed, Mebane admitted “My cellie (cell mate) is dead… I killed my cellie on Wednesday.”

    Officers entered the cell to investigate and found Michael Tucker lying face-up in the bottom bunk bed, covered by a blanket. His body was cold to the touch and without a pulse. Life saving measures were initiated by medics but were unsuccessful.

    The medical examiner ruled the official cause of death to be asphyxiation and determined the manner of death as homicide.

    “This life sentence reflects our office’s commitment to justice for all victims, including those who are incarcerated in federal correctional facilities. The horrific murder deserves one of the harshest penalties allowed under the law, and I sincerely hope that the completion of this prosecution brings some measure of closure and peace to Mr. Tucker’s family,” said John E. Childress, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

    “The FBI is committed to ensuring the rights and dignity of every victim – no matter where the crimes occur. This kind of violence is inexcusable, and the sentence should serve as a powerful reminder there is no place in our society for such hate,” said FBI Indianapolis Acting Special Agent in Charge Dominique Evans. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and send a clear message that the protection of all individuals from hate-driven violence remains a top priority.”

    “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message – those who threaten or harm others will be held accountable. The safety and security of our facilities will always be the FBOP’s top priority in our mission to ensure public safety,” said a BOP Spokesperson.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Prisons investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge James R. Sweeney II. 

    Acting U.S. Attorney Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle M. Sawa and Meredith Wood, who prosecuted this case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Darknet Drug Trafficker From Pennsylvania Sentenced in D.C. for Selling Mass Quantities of Fentanyl Online

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

    WASHINGTON – Jacob Blair, 27, of Aliquippa, Pa., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 180 months in federal prison for his role in a drug conspiracy that distributed a wide variety of narcotics, including large amounts of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl and counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine. Blair sold and distributed the narcotics on the darknet marketplace Tor2Door and other darknet markets.

    The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr.; Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti of the Western District of Pennsylvania; Special Agent in Charge Sean Ryan of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Rojek of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Washington Division; Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division; Inspector in Charge Lesley Allison of the US Postal Inspection Service Pittsburgh Division for; and Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Washington, D.C.

    Blair pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson, to a charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine, and to a charge of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Blair also pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a charge, originally filed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, of distributing 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

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

    According to court documents, Blair was responsible for distributing more than 1.2 kilograms but less than 4 kilograms of fentanyl, and at least 50 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine. He also admitted to mass-marketing the narcotics by means of an interactive computer service.

    Blair’s co-defendant Dyani Pezzelle pleaded guilty March 5, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and 50 grams of methamphetamine. Pezzelle is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 18, 2025.

    Between August 1, 2022, and Feb. 24, 2023, Blair and Pezzelle operated vendor accounts on various darknet marketplaces. On the marketplace Tor2Door, Blair and Pezzelle advertised their controlled substances using the monikers “YVS” and “YVendor Supplier” which they touted as “a syndicate of professionals that specialize in making the best products the markets have to offer. We focus on quality, consistency, stealth, and speed.” The conspiracy completed at least 459 sales of illegal narcotics.

    Blair manufactured and obtained counterfeit Oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax pills for sale. Blair posted advertisements for the controlled substances on Tor2Door and four other marketplaces and accepted payment in cyrptocurrency. During the conspiracy, Blair shipped counterfeit oxycodone pills to the District of Columbia at least six times. These pills contained fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and metonitazene, a Schedule I controlled substance. In addition, they also shipped counterfeit Xanax and Adderall pills to the District multiple times.

    On February 22, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at Blair’s residence in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and other locations. During the searches, law enforcement recovered 10 firearms, over 20,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl, an industrial pill press, and other manufacturing and distribution supplies.

    This case was investigated by the FBI’s Field Offices in Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh, the DEA, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. Valuable assistance was provided by the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Moon Township Police Department.

    The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Strong and Peter Roman of the District of Columbia’s Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses (VRTO) section and Assistant U.S. Attorney DeMarr Moulton of the Western District of Pennsylvania.  The case was initially investigated and indicted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Rosenberg.

    24cr560

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Identifies Missing Crew Member

    Source: United States Navy

    PHILIPPINE SEA – Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Gabriel D. Holt, from Washington, Utah, has been listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) after being reported unaccounted for Saturday morning while the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) was conducting a regularly scheduled port call at Naval Base Guam.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Maryland Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment yesterday charging a Cameroonian national, Eric Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening violence against Cameroonian civilians. He surrendered and will make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson today.

    According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist militias sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to force the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

    “The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

    “The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” said Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

    “Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

    As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning in April 2018, Tataw and others sought to raise funds for the Amba Boys to finance violent attacks in Cameroon. Tataw also allegedly called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of civilians and the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon. Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw allegedly used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw allegedly referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

    Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a public company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the government of Cameroon. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

    Tataw is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support and four counts of interstate communication of a threat to harm. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of communication of a threat to harm. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland made the announcement.

    HSI and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the FBI, are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman and Joseph Wenner for the District of Maryland, and Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Deputy Secretary General addresses young leaders at NATO Youth Summit

    Source: NATO

    On Friday (25 April 2025) NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska welcomed young people from across the Alliance to the NATO Youth Summit in Budva, Montenegro. Organised in cooperation with the Atlantic Council of Montenegro, the fifth Youth Summit brought together hundreds of young people for discussions with the Deputy Secretary General and other NATO leaders on critical security issues.

    Ms Shekerinska highlighted priorities in the run-up to the NATO Summit in The Hague, including increased defence spending. She underlined that, “We have seen a number of Allies not just reaching 2% which was the pledge that NATO did more than 10 years ago, but actually going much beyond.” Ms Shekerinska also stressed that young people should care about security.  She encouraged young people to be involved and advised the future generation to be courageous, determined and resilient.

     The Deputy Secretary General took part in a conversation titled “Setting the Scene”, moderated by Selin Yimaz, President of the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA) International. During her trip to Montenegro, she met the President of Montenegro, Mr Jakov Milatović, visited the Western Balkans Cyber Capacity Centre, and the Government Cybersecurity Operations Centre.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chair of the NATO Military Committee visits Kuwait

    Source: NATO

    From 23-24 April, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, visited Kuwait to meet with the nation’s senior political and military leadership. The trip marked Admiral Cavo Dragone’s first time in the Gulf and his inaugural mission to a member of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), as CMC. During his stay, he also delivered remarks at the Mubarak Al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College (MAJCSC), visited the Salem Al-Sabah Air Base, and received a briefing at the NATO-Istanbul Cooperation Initiative Regional Centre in Kuwait (NIRC).

    On his official visit, Admiral Cavo Dragone held a high level meaning with His Highness the Crown Prince, Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. The two discussed NATO-Kuwait cooperation, and committed to continuing strengthening this unique and fruitful relationship. CMC praised the nation for its essential role in fostering regional stability and security in the Gulf, for its pioneering role in the ICI and for its dedication to dialogue and practical cooperation with the Alliance.

    CMC also had the opportunity to meet the Minister of Defence and Acting Minister of Interior, H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. Both reflected on the 20 years of NATO-Kuwait partnership, as well as additional opportunities for deeper military cooperation between Kuwait and the Alliance.

    Admiral Cavo Dragone had the opportunity to address the MAJCSC to discuss current global security challenges, and how NATO is tackling them. He stressed that from his personal experience, there are four practices that are instrumental in dealing with said challenges: adaptation on all fronts, cooperation with partners, a whole-of-society approach, and enlightened leadership. CMC emphasized the key role of partnerships, by stating “NATO’s overall strength doesn’t come from Allies alone. It comes from the contribution of our partners, too. As we say in NATO: Alone, you may go faster. Together, we will go further.”

    During his visit to the NIRC, CMC praised the professional results and the even greater potential that the Centre holds to expand cooperation between NATO and the Gulf. Established in 2017, the NIRC has become a lynchpin for NATO’s cooperation efforts with ICI partners, and the Gulf as a whole. The NIRC is the first of its kind in the ICI, and acts a hub for strengthening political dialogue, education and training, and public diplomacy.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland Man Indicted for Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Armed Separatist Fighters to Murder, Kidnap, and Maim Individuals in Cameroon and For Making Threats

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    A federal grand jury in Baltimore returned an indictment yesterday charging a Cameroonian national, Eric Tataw, also known as “the Garri Master,” 38, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with conspiring to provide material support to armed separatist militias in Cameroon and threatening violence against Cameroonian civilians. He surrendered and will make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson today.

    According to court documents, multiple armed and violent secessionist groups in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon are fighting to form a new country called “Ambazonia.” The armed separatist militias sought to achieve secession by not only attacking the Cameroonian military, but also intentionally attacking the civilian population in Cameroon in an attempt to force the Cameroonian government into allowing these regions to secede. These separatist fighters are frequently referred to as “Amba Boys.”

    “The defendant is alleged to have ordered horrific acts of violence, including severing limbs, against Cameroonian civilians in support of a violent secessionist movement,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This indictment represents the Justice Department’s commitment to hold accountable human rights violators who direct brutal political violence and fundraise for armed militias from the comfort of the United States.”

    “The Justice Department will not tolerate those who help murder, maim, and kidnap,” said Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will continue to hold accountable those who aim to turn American soil into a staging ground for political violence abroad.”

    “Tataw and his co-conspirators masterminded and financially supported a vicious scheme to overthrow a foreign government. They resorted to an unthinkable level of violence while instilling fear in innocent victims to advance their political agenda,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing anyone who attempts to inflict mayhem on others. Tataw and his co-conspirators demonstrated a total disregard for human life so now they must pay the price.”

    As alleged in the indictment, Tataw was a citizen of Cameroon living in Maryland and was a member of the Cameroonian diaspora with a large social media following. Beginning in April 2018, Tataw and others sought to raise funds for the Amba Boys to finance violent attacks in Cameroon. Tataw also allegedly called for the murder, kidnapping, and maiming of civilians and the destruction of public, educational, and cultural property in Cameroon. Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly directed the maiming of Cameroonian civilians by severing their limbs, a practice Tataw called “Garriing.” Tataw allegedly used the phrase “small Garri” to refer to removing fingers or other small appendages and the phrase “large Garri” to refer to removing large limbs or killing people. Additionally, Tataw allegedly referred to himself as the “Garri Master,” or master of mutilation.

    Tataw and his co-conspirators allegedly targeted those believed to be working for or collaborating with the government, including municipal officials, traditional chiefs, and employees of the Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC), a public company that grew, processed, and sold bananas, palm oil, and rubber. As alleged, Tataw personally wrote hundreds of social media posts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter calling for attacks against Cameroonian civilians, seeking to raise funds to arm Amba Boys, and threatening those he viewed as cooperating with the government of Cameroon. These social media posts were regularly viewed by tens of thousands of people, including Amba Boys and their leaders, and were often further disseminated by third parties allegedly acting at Tataw’s direction or encouragement.

    Tataw is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide material support and four counts of interstate communication of a threat to harm. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison on the material support count and five years in prison on each count of communication of a threat to harm. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Sue J. Bai, Head of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland; and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) Maryland made the announcement.

    HSI and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, with assistance from the FBI, are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman and Joseph Wenner for the District of Maryland, and Trial Attorneys Michael Dittoe and Andrew Briggs of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hardin Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Using a Phone to Promote Prostitution with a Minor

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

    BILLINGS – A Hardin man who promoted prostitution with a minor was sentenced today to 36 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    William Serges Joseph, 75, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to use of facility in interstate commerce in aid of racketeering.

    U.S. District Judge Susan Watters presided.

    The government alleged in court documents that in March 2023, Jane Doe, a juvenile female, disclosed to law enforcement that, commencing in approximately September 2022, she began showing her breasts to the Joseph. The two messaged each other on Facebook and Joseph was aware of she was a juvenile. Jane Doe said she allowed Joseph to touch her in exchange for alcohol and he also asked her for naked pictures.

    Jane Doe was interviewed again in June 2023. She added that Joseph continued to message her and offered her $50 for sexual contact. A review of her cell phone reflected, among other communications, a February 2023 message from Joseph with a picture of male genitalia. Joseph was interviewed in February 2024. He admitted providing alcohol to Jane Doe in exchange for pictures of her breasts. At the time of the offense, prostitution was illegal under the laws of Montana and Sex Trafficking was illegal under the laws of the United States.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, and the investigation was conducted by the FBI.

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

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pontiac Man Pleads Guilty in $4 Million Identity Theft and Unemployment Fraud Case

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

    DETROIT – A Pontiac man has pleaded guilty to committing aggravated identity theft and wire fraud as part of large-scale, multi-state Unemployment Insurance benefit fraud scheme in which he and co-conspirators fraudulently obtained debit cards loaded with more than $4 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced today.

    Joining in the announcement were Megan Howell, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Special Agent-in-Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division, Charles Miller, Special Agent-in-Charge, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, Douglas Zloto, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Sean McStravick, Acting Inspector-in-Charge, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, and Director Jason Palmer, State of Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

    Terrance Calhoun, Jr., 36, of Pontiac, Michigan, pleaded guilty to committing aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and to possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, all in relation to acts of unemployment insurance fraud.

    According to his plea agreement, Calhoun Jr., and others, used stolen personal identification and filed hundreds of false unemployment claims with state unemployment insurance agencies in Michigan, Arizona, and Maryland over a six-month period in the names of other individuals without their knowledge or consent. Those false claims resulted in hundreds of debit cards loaded with over $4 million in unemployment insurance funds being mailed to addresses controlled by Calhoun Jr. and his co-conspirators. Roughly $1.6 million dollars in purchases and cash withdrawals were then successfully made from the cards.

    As described within a prior complaint, when agents executed search warrants at the principal mailing addresses used for the fraudulent unemployment insurance benefit claims, including the residence of Calhoun Jr., agents seized numerous documents containing the personal identification information of other individuals, multiple debit cards in the names of numerous other individuals, and firearms.

    Calhoun now faces a possible sentence of up to 20-years’ imprisonment for each of the wire fraud counts to which he has pleaded guilty, a possible sentence of up to 10-years’ imprisonment for possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, and a mandatorily consecutive 2-year sentence for the aggravated identity theft charge to which he has pleaded guilty.

    Sentencing is set for August 27, 2025 before United States District Court Judge Judith E. Levy.

    “Taxpayer money diverted into the pockets of criminals means less money going to Michiganders who actually need help getting through difficult financial times and who follow the rules when seeking assistance,” said Acting US Attorney Beck.  “These charges reflect our office’s ongoing commitment to the community by investigating such schemes and bringing those who commit these crimes to justice.”

    “Terrance Calhoun Jr and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud state workforce agencies in Michigan, Arizona, and Maryland by filing hundreds of fraudulent unemployment insurance (UI) claims.  As a result, Calhoun enriched himself by stealing taxpayer resources intended for unemployed American workers.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the UI program from those who seek to exploit it,” said Megan Howell, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

    “Individuals who commit identity theft and unemployment insurance fraud of this magnitude deserve to be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Charles Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).  “Terrance Calhoun, Jr. and Jermaine Arnett demonstrated a blatant disregard of the integrity of the multiple states’ unemployment insurance systems and caused immeasurable hardship to innocent victims. IRS-CI remains committed to the pursuit of identity theft and financial fraud, and together with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we will hold those who engage in similar crimes accountable.”

    “The FBI in Michigan, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in protecting the community and investigating individuals who violate federal law,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “Today’s guilty plea by Terrance Calhoun, whose involvement in a multi-state fraud scheme, is a clear reminder that bad actors will be stopped, and we will ensure integrity will prevail.”

    The case was jointly investigated by agents from the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General, and the State of Michigan -Unemployment Insurance Agency. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carl D. Gilmer-Hill and Jessica A. Nathan.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine in Dubuque, Iowa

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

    A Guatemalan man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than 12 years in federal prison.  Jose Eleazar Aceves‑Garcia, age 30, from Guatemala, received the prison term after a November 20, 2024 guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and 50 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine.

    In a plea agreement, Aceves-Garcia admitted that between January 2019 and January 2022, he distributed at least 400 pounds of ice methamphetamine to a co‑conspirator in the Dubuque area.  His fingerprints were on two packages, which contained a total of more than seven pounds of ice methamphetamine, that he mailed to the co-conspirator in Dubuque.  Aceves-Garcia also distributed a kilogram of heroin to the co-conspirator.

    Aceves-Garcia was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams.  Aceves-Garcia was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment and must serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term.  There is no parole in the federal system.  Aceves-Garcia is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and was investigated by the Dubuque Drug Task Force, Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Dubuque Police Department, Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory.

    Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.  The case file number is 23-CR-1022.  Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Iowa Man Arrested on Federal Stalking Charge

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

    DES MOINES, Iowa – A Nevada, Iowa man made his initial appearance before a United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa today.

    According to allegations in the criminal complaint, between January and April 2025, Tanner Dean Bandy, 28, engaged in a pattern of threatening conduct against a former romantic partner through text messages and voicemails. Two days prior to his arrest, on April 17, 2025, Bandy left a voicemail message discussing his intention to conduct a mass shooting at an Iowa State University commencement ceremony. On April 17, 2025, law enforcement searched Bandy’s residence and vehicle and located two firearms and ammunition. Bandy will remain detained in federal custody pending further proceedings.

    United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, Iowa State University Police Department, and Story County Sheriff’s Office are investigating this case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Associate of Violent Gang Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison for Drug Distribution and Firearms Offenses

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

    BOSTON – A Brockton man associated with Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang, was sentenced today for trafficking drugs and firearms.

    Steve Depina, 38, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 66 months in prison and three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Depina pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine and cocaine base and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

    During the investigation, Depina was identified as an older associate of the Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation.

    In February 2022, Depina was recorded by law enforcement as he sold approximately 58 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness, whom he believed to be a fellow Cameron Street member, near his workplace. In March 2022, Depina sold approximately 60 grams of cocaine base as well as a 9-millimeter pistol and 16 rounds of ammunition to the same cooperating witness. During a search of Depina’s residence in April 2022, an additional quantity of cocaine base as well as another firearm were seized.

    At the time of the offenses, Depina was on state probation for a 2018 conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl in Plymouth Superior Court, for which he was sentenced to 3-5 years in prison. He is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Leads Bipartisan Push to Support Violence Against Women Act Resources 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – This week, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), and Gwen Moore (WI-04) led a bipartisan group of more than 100 Members of Congress in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi to support funding opportunities through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).  

    The OVW, established through the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), administers critical grant programs that provide lifesaving support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. For decades, OVW grants have helped law enforcement agencies, legal service providers, crisis centers, and local organizations protect survivors and prevent abuse. 

    “VAWA grants support law enforcement and nonprofit organizations uplifting domestic violence survivors and their loved ones, which is why I voted in favor of VAWA reauthorization in 2021. Reining in federal spending is a good thing, but we cannot pull the rug out from under organizations relying on this funding to support domestic violence victims,” said Rep. Young Kim. “I urge the Department of Justice to clarify guidance during this time.”  

    Rep. Kim supported House passage of the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1620) and of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act (H.R. 2119). She has been a steadfast champion in Congress for policies that uplift domestic violence survivors and empower women and mothers. 

    The full letter can be found here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Last Month in the Field – March

    Source: Frontex

    In March 2025, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, continued to lead the way in securing Europe’s borders, with a strong focus on leadership development and maritime security. From groundbreaking training for future commanders to strengthening partnerships in Lampedusa, the month showcased Frontex’s growing role in building a capable, agile, and responsive European border force. 

    Leadership at Sea: Standing Corps Commanders Take the Helm

    March marked a historic milestone with the successful completion of the first operational training at sea for Standing Corps Commanders. Aboard an Italian Coast Guard vessel, eight future leaders of the European Border and Coast Guard Standing Corps underwent  rigorous five-day experiential training designed to prepare them for command roles in the field.

    The programme combined hands-on maritime operations with leadership development, covering:

    • Navigation and surveillance techniques

    • Search and rescue (SAR) and MEDEVAC drills

    • Fisheries control and anti-pollution protocols

    • Law enforcement integration and irregular migration response

    • Physical endurance training and a field visit to Lampedusa, a key frontline migration hotspot

    Participants emerged as a cohesive leadership unit, ready to spearhead operations along EU external borders. As one officer stated: “We created our way of thinking, understanding, behaving, and leading. We became a unit of shared values and attitudes.” This initiative signals a new chapter in Frontex’s field leadership, ensuring that missions are not only well-coordinated but also led with resilience and purpose.

    Strengthening Partnerships: Frontex and Denmark Meet in Lampedusa

    In a demonstration  of international collaboration, Frontex welcomed Denmark’s Minister for Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek, at the hotspot of Lampedusa. Joined by the Danish Ambassador to Italy and key officials, the visit offered insights into Frontex’s frontline operations and migration management strategies, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening Europe’s border security.

    Canine Units Combat Smuggling in Moldova

    On March 25–27, Frontex and EUBAM experts conducted joint training with Moldova’s Border Police along the Brinza sector in Cahul Province. Focused on smuggling detection, 15 officers from canine units received in-depth training in:

    • Searching vehicles and cargo (buses, trucks, and minivans)

    • Using service dogs in operational settings

    • Operating portable X-ray and inspection tools

    This initiative enhances Moldova’s alignment with EU standards and strengthens border defences against cross-border crime.

    Looking Ahead: A Stronger, Smarter Border Force

    March 2025 stands out as a month of strategic development and operational impact. The Standing Corps Commanders’ leadership training marks a shift towards more resilient and capable mission leadership, while the results from the action in Moldova highlight Frontex’s operational excellence in maritime surveillance and crisis response. As Europe’s external border challenges grow more complex, Frontex continues to evolve—strengthening cooperation, advancing technology, and investing in people to secure the EU’s borders now and for the future.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: NPS Helps Joint Chiefs Develop Integrated Military, Economic Deterrence Options to Chinese Aggression

    Source: United States Navy

    When former Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Force Development (J7) director U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Stuart Munsch needed a cross-disciplinary team of regional and defense experts to examine in detail a full suite of integrated deterrence options for the Indo-Pacific theatre, he called upon the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) for support.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Navy Awards $3.5B Contract to Northrop Grumman to Develop Successor to E-6B Mercury

    Source: United States Navy

    The Navy announced in December it awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. a $3.5 billion contract to conduct the mission-systems integration for the E-130J, which will be the successor to the E-6B Mercury for the Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $15M Awarded in Grants for Resilient Reforestation

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today celebrated Arbor Day 2025 by announcing $15 million in grant awards through New York State’s new Community Reforestation (CoRe) program. Sixteen of the funded projects will establish and expand resilient forests in and near New York’s urban communities, contributing to the 2024 State of the State “25 Million Trees Initiative” launched by Governor Hochul to recognize the importance of trees and forests for climate resiliency and community health.

    “Resilient urban forests support community health, well-being and sustainability,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m celebrating Arbor Day 2025 by awarding $15 million in new grants to support projects across the State that will bring the countless ecological and economic benefits of trees to urban areas.”

    Trees in urban areas help reduce high temperatures created by the urban heat island effect. CoRe-funded projects are predominantly located in communities with high heat vulnerability. Studies show that forested natural areas can be as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than under the shade of a street tree just a few hundred feet away. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers the new CoRe grant program, which supports the State’s efforts to plant 25 million trees by 2033.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “The CoRe grant-funded projects announced today will help make New York’s communities cooler — expanding forest canopies, improving forest health, and moderating temperatures, all while engaging New Yorkers at the local, regional, and watershed levels. In addition to significant climate benefits, trees enhance biodiversity and improve overall community health and well-being for residents statewide.”

    All CoRe-funded projects will record tree planting input into DEC’s Tree Tracker, the GIS tool available for the public to upload every tree planted in New York State. Every New Yorker that uploads a tree planting to the Tree Tracker in the months of April and May 2025 will be automatically entered in a 25 Million Trees sweepstakes for a chance to win a year-long subscription to The Conservationist magazine and 25 Million Trees swag.

    DEC is awarding more than $7.4 million to municipalities, particularly to restore woodlands in public parks. Invasive species removal and expansion of native forests in these open spaces intends to enhance the ecosystem services provided to local residents, particularly enhanced canopy that provides shade and recreational opportunities.

    A total of $5.3 million is awarded to not-for-profit organizations for a variety of volunteer-driven projects focused on promoting forest health at the ecosystem-level, from riparian zone enhancement along the Upper Susquehanna watershed to protecting Bronx River ecological health.

    Four projects totaling approximately $1.7 million will be awarded to the State University of New York (SUNY) for reforestation projects on college campuses. Projects will serve as “living labs” for students to research best practices in tree planting, sustainable forest management and ecological monitoring.

    Many projects feature youth engagement and workforce development opportunities in their reforestation efforts. The Natural Areas Conservancy, awarded approximately $3 million for their restoration of parks across the five boroughs, plans to include field technicians as part of the City University of New York (CUNY) fellowship program. The city of Syracuse awarded $2 million to restore forests across the city and establish a resilient “food forest,” will enlist the help of Onondaga Earth Corps crews for plantings using youth volunteers.

    Funding for this round of the CoRe grant program was allocated by the Governor in the FY25 Enacted Budget. In addition to the $15 million allocation for the CoRe grant program, the Governor’s initial commitment to the 25 Million Trees Initiative came with $32 million to modernize the Saratoga Tree Nursery and enhance DEC’s technological capabilities for tracking tree planting and forest management across the state. The initiative is working to invigorate the State’s tree planting efforts by scaling up public-sector tree planting efforts, invigorating the private sector, harnessing technology and engaging the next generation of environmental stewards.

    Community Reforestation (CoRe) Grant Awards

    NEW YORK CITY

    Bronx County

    Bronx River Alliance – $500,000 for Bronx River Forest Restoration

    The Bronx River Alliance will restore riparian forests historically dominated by ash trees along the watershed by planting nearly 2,000 hardwood trees with the help of more than 300 volunteers.

    The New York Botanical Garden – $429,285 for Bronx River Riparian Forest Restoration

    As part of their Bronx River Riparian Forest Restoration Project, the NYBG and partners will enhance six degraded sites across the watershed — two sites on NYBG forestlands, three Westchester County Parks sites and a reservoir site in North Castle.

    New York County

    City of New York – $2,995,707 for NYC Parks Reforestation

    The city will restore canopy gaps in seven parks in four boroughs by planting more than 10,000 trees.

    Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) Inc. – $2,958,846 for Restoration at Forest Park, Highbridge Park and Prospect Park

    NAC and partners will restore 37 acres of invasive species-dominated, degraded and not-regenerating forests across three parks in New York City.

    MID-HUDSON VALLEY

    Putnam County

    Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County – $300,000 for Tilly Foster Farm Forest Restoration

    Veteran citizen scientists will install a one-acre Miyawaki miniforest at Tilly Foster Farm.

    Ulster County

    City of Kingston – $1,608,947 for Restoration of Kingston Parks

    The city of Kingston will re-establish healthy forests across Kingston’s public parks by planting 8,100 trees across 72 acres in five parks.

    Westchester County

    The Research Foundation for the State of New York – $499,942 for Afforestation at SUNY Purchase

    The college will restore and reforest a three-acre plot on campus, and students will study comparative planting practices across three different sites.

    Village of Irvington – $382,316 for Irvington Woods Restoration

    The village’s community-driven task force will restore degraded forest stands in Irvington Woods, home to the largest remaining wetlands in southern Westchester County.

    Village of Hastings on Hudson – $356,511 for Restoration of Hillside Park Woodlands

    The village will restore Hillside Park’s woodlands to a native forest ecosystem by reforesting degraded stands, planting more than 6,500 trees and implementing protective fencing to prevent deer from browsing in the area.

    CAPITAL REGION

    Columbia County

    Columbia Land Conservancy Inc – $368,426 for High Falls Conservation Area Restoration and Reforestation

    The Columbia Land Conservancy will restore 13 acres of early successional forest in High Falls Park by planting trees, treating invasive species and controlling for deer over-browse.

    CENTRAL NEW YORK

    Onondaga County

    City of Syracuse – $2,080,083 for Forest Stand Restoration

    The city will restore eight degraded forest sites, totaling more than 38 acres, by planting trees in order to contribute to the goal of increasing the city’s tree canopy by seven percent.

    MOHAWK VALLEY

    Schoharie County

    The Research Foundation for the State of New York – $423,092 for SUNY Cobleskill Forest Restoration

    SUNY Cobleskill will create natural areas on campus by planting more than 5,300 trees across five acres of abandoned agricultural land, providing hands-on educational experiences for students.

    NORTH COUNTRY

    St. Lawrence County

    Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe – $498,000 for Forest Conservation Area Restoration

    The Tribe will restore a culturally significant conserved forest where much of the canopy was lost to the Emerald Ash Borer.

    SOUTHERN TIER

    Broome County

    The Research Foundation for the State of New York – $311,841 for Nuthatch Hollow Forest Restoration

    SUNY Binghamton will plant native trees and shrubs across 29 acres at Nuthatch Hollow, restoring regraded forestland while supporting research, education and public engagement.

    Delaware County

    The Research Foundation for the State of New York – $484,910 for SUNY Oneonta Forest Restoration

    SUNY Oneonta will plant more than 9,600 native trees and remove invasive species to enhance carbon sequestration and recreation opportunities on campus, as well as host student internships and service-learning opportunities.

    Tioga County

    Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District – $802,091 for Upper Susquehanna Coalition Forest Restoration

    The Upper Susquehanna Coalition, in collaboration with Soil and Water Conservation Districts and municipalities, will reforest 71 acres of riparian forests at 48 different sites within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, planting more than 22,000 trees.

    Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, “Strengthening urban forestry around the state will not only absorb carbon in our atmosphere and absorb stormwater runoff, but also will bring a greater pastoral sense to even urban environments. I am glad that SUNY will be partnering in several projects so students will receive a valuable learning experience in arboriculture and urban forestry. Whenever we can simultaneously combat climate change and make our communities more beautiful and livable, we ought to do so.”

    Assemblymember George Alvarez said, “I’m proud to celebrate this critical investment in the Bronx’s natural resources through the CoRe grant program. The funding awarded to the Bronx River Alliance and The New York Botanical Garden will help restore our urban forests, improve air quality, and provide cooler, greener spaces for our residents. These projects not only strengthen our local environment but also engage our communities, especially our youth—in building a healthier, more resilient Bronx.”

    Assemblymember Karines Reyes said, “I applaud Governor Hochul and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for this vital investment in the Bronx’s habitat and communities. The Borough of Parks’, as it is affectionately-known, is more than worthy of funding to improve the ecological health of our county. The nearly $1 million investment in Bronx-based institutions, like the Bronx River Alliance and The Bronx Zoo, will be well spent in service to keeping our borough’s trees clean and healthy. This investment in our local environment will have positive impacts on health and wellness, as we seek to reverse the disastrous impacts of pollution and the prolonged disinvestment of previous decades.”

    Assemblymember Emérita Torres said, “This is great news for the Bronx. Amid cuts from the current federal administration, it is more important than ever that our state invests in environmental restoration. This reforestation funding provides critical support for our environmental partners in the community, especially for the restoration along the Bronx River. Our communities continue to bear the brunt of long-term disinvestment and pollution. This funding is a step in the right direction.”

    Assemblymember John Zaccaro, Jr. said, “I applaud Governor Hochul for her commitment to expanding, restoring, and creating more forested natural areas to support our urban neighborhoods through the Community Restoration Grant Awards. Communities like those I represent in the Bronx have some of the worst health outcomes in the state and trees are an invaluable tool to bolster community resilience. Every tree that gets planted means a little more fresh air and a little more shade. We’re excited to get started as we work toward the state’s ambitious goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033.”

    Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, “We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for her continued commitment to environmental justice and urban resilience through the launch of the Community Reforestation (CoRe) program and the historic 25 Million Trees Initiative. The Governor`s work on this effort aligns with our Greening the Bronx initiative, with investments that not only plant trees but also plant hope, healing, and long-term health in our communities. Projects such as the Bronx River Riparian Forest Restoration, led by the Bronx River Alliance and NYBG, are powerful examples of what can happen when government, institutions, and local volunteers work together to rebuild natural ecosystems and restore our borough’s green infrastructure. These nearly 2,000 new trees are a win for the Bronx and for improving our environment and our borough`s public health.”

    Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, “Urban trees are essential climate infrastructure and help create a greener, healthier, future for New York. These investments in our community through the CoRe program will help keep neighborhoods cooler, protect against the impacts of climate change, and improve mental health. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the Department of Environmental Conservation for celebrating this Arbor Day by investing in urban trees in Manhattan and beyond.”

    Chief Executive Officer and William C. Steere Sr. President of the New York Botanical Garden Jennifer Bernstein said, “The New York Botanical Garden applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for her vision and leadership in creating the inaugural Community Reforestation program. By supporting NYBG’s restoration work in the Bronx River corridor, families and neighbors will experience the benefits of forests for generations to come. Thank you Governor Hochul.”

    Bronx River Alliance Executive Director Siddhartha Sánchez said, “Thank you Governor Hochul for developing new funding opportunities to increase and improve tree canopy coverage in communities like the Bronx. Investing in reforesting dense urban areas benefits communities in numerous ways – mitigating heat island impacts and localized flooding while improving community health by increasing access to nature. These resources provide the Bronx River Alliance with the ability to do targeted reforestation over multiple years in Westchester and the Bronx, making our work more sustainable.”

    To further Governor Hochul’s goal of planting 25 million trees by 2033, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) will begin its Tree Power program 2025 season today. NYPA’s Tree Power program, first established in 1992, helps customers plant native tree varieties to provide wind breaks surrounding buildings, shading that reduces building energy use and removes carbon from the atmosphere. In 2024, the Power Authority planted more than 1,400 trees in 50 communities throughout the state under the program. Since 2016, more than 8,000 trees have been planted under the program, sequestering more than 400 metric tons of carbon emissions.

    NYPA customers that are eligible to participate in the Tree Power program include municipal electric utilities, rural electric cooperatives and State and local government customers, including the State University of New York and the City University of New York. For every tree that a customer purchases, NYPA will offer tree matches up to $5,000 in value. NYPA is accepting orders for the 2025 program through mid-September.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Career Insight: Joe, Trainee Solicitor, HMRC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Career Insight: Joe, Trainee Solicitor, HMRC

    Joe provides an insight into his training within HM Revenue & Customs

    I am a fourth seat trainee in HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Legal Group’s European and International Law advisory team. The team advises on, drafts and helps negotiate a range of international agreements, including Free-Trade Agreements and Double Taxation Treaties.

    I studied Philosophy and Politics as my undergraduate degree, focussing my studies on human rights and the regulation of transnational enterprises. I suspected that a career in law was the best opportunity to apply these interests in practice; however, as a non-law graduate I was reluctant to immediately volunteer for the expense and stress of two more years of study in the form of the GDL and LPC. So, after graduating, I moved abroad to pursue a career playing and coaching rugby; the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to that ambition but provided me the opportunity to start an online law conversion.

     I applied for the role at HMRC as I thought that first-hand experience of the legislative process and regular precedent-setting litigation would provide a great opportunity to develop my career as a solicitor; but also because the tax arena seemed to offer a lot of variety, encompassing my interests in both public law and commercial questions.

    All trainees start in litigation for their first year; trainee solicitors remain within HMRC, while pupil barristers spend six months seconded to Chambers. My first seat was in VAT litigation, so after three years of intensive study, I arrived at HMRC braced for mountains of paperwork and long days of dense tax calculations. Instead, waiting on my desk were various packets of lentil-based snacks and the deceptively knotty legal question; are these crisps, or at least similar to crisps? I spent the seat thinking about other such questions, like what distinguishes cosmetic surgery from medical care. During this seat, I visited the Supreme Court assisting a senior lawyer and saw my own case feature in national newspapers.

    For my second seat I applied for HMRC’s Enforcement and Illicit Finance litigation Team. The question for this team was less frequently whether someone owes tax, but how HMRC can actually collect it from them. My tasks ranged from advocating on HMRC’s behalf in the Magistrates Court to instructing counsel at fast pace on High Court proceedings, attending the Court of Appeal and working with international law enforcement to seize overseas assets.

     As a trainee you will be given your own cases to run as part of a cross-HMRC case team with tax and policy experts, so you can stretch yourself in an environment surrounded by expert lawyers and tax professionals, who are all very generous with their time. Your role is to co-ordinate this team and ask the right questions to tease the legal arguments out of your clients. In this respect the skills I developed playing team sports were as important as my legal knowledge.  

    In your second year you move into an advisory team. In my first six months I worked on a mix of human rights and technical tax advice as part of the Personal Tax and Welfare team. I drafted my statutory instrument, which was a particular highlight, and fed into a major budget measure. It can feel like a drastic transition from the more adversarial world of litigation, but the training is extensive with HMRC running internal induction courses alongside the wider GLP offering.

    The advisory lawyers cover a wide variety of tasks, with my final seat feeling like an entirely new role.  I didn’t study EU or International Law as part of my law conversion, but having the lawyers who drafted the treaties sat next to you in the office is always a good starting point!

    Whilst the HMRC training contract will be of particular interest for anyone who wants a career in public law, I think it is really important to understand the breadth of the department’s work. There is regular precedent setting litigation with engages questions of employment and commercial law, and advisory teams that span the breadth of civil and criminal practice.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Immigration offenders returned on flight to Nigeria and Ghana

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Immigration offenders returned on flight to Nigeria and Ghana

    43 people returned to Nigeria and Ghana in an operation, part of a surge in returns activity to secure our border through the Plan for Change

    43 failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders were returned on a charter flight to Nigeria and Ghana, as the government steps up international collaboration to secure our borders.

    The flight underscores the government’s progress restoring order to the immigration system through the Plan for Change, ensuring rules are respected and those who break them are swiftly returned.

    Those removed had no right to be in the UK and included 15 failed asylum seekers and 11 foreign national offenders who had served their sentences. 7 people returned voluntarily.

    Since the election, two charter flights have taken off to the countries, carrying a total of 87 people and demonstrating the strength of cooperation between the UK, Nigeria and Ghana on this critical issue.

    Under this government, over 24,000 people have been returned, an 11% increase on the same period 12 months prior, while four of the largest returns flights ever have taken off returning migrants to countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. 

    Deportations of foreign national offenders are also up 16% since the election, with 3,594 criminals removed.

    Immigration Enforcement ensure that returns are carried out in a dignified and respectful manner.

    Minister for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said:

    This flight demonstrates how international partnerships deliver on working people’s priorities for swift returns and secure borders.

    Through the Plan for Change we’re going further in restoring order to a broken system, accelerating returns of those with no right to be here and closing expensive asylum hotels.

    I thank the governments of Ghana and Nigeria for facilitating this operation, which reflects our joint commitment to disrupt organised immigration crime and protect our borders.

    Baroness Chapman of Darlington, FCDO Minister responsible for Irregular Migration said:

    Working with other countries and partners around the world is critical to tackling irregular migration – by working internationally, we will meet this global challenge together.

    I welcome our strong cooperation with Ghana and Nigeria to return those with no right to be in the UK, secure our borders, and deliver on the Plan for Change.

    This operation follows the Organised Immigration Crime Summit, which saw the UK bring together over 40 countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, to drive forward the global fight against smuggling gangs and deliver on the government’s mission to secure our borders.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government signs new international agreement in boost to British business

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Press release

    Government signs new international agreement in boost to British business

    Businesses will save time and money on repetitive legal action thanks to new international rules coming into force across the UK on 1 July.

    • Agreement will cut delays and costs for UK businesses
    • UK judgments against foreign suppliers will be recognised by participating countries overseas
    • This will boost the UK legal sector and drive economic growth, part of the government’s Plan for Change

    The UK Government has signed up to the Hague 2019 Convention, which means other countries will more easily recognise and enforce UK court judgments in cross-border disputes – sparing firms from costly and repetitive court battles.

    Currently, if a UK business wins a case in a UK court against a company based in another country, business leaders face the threat of time-consuming enforcement processes or even identical legal action overseas for the same dispute – causing delays, increasing costs and creating confusion to the consumer.

    The new rules will provide a simpler enforcement route to existing complex systems, giving one clear consistent set of shared rules – that the UK helped shape – making the process easier for everyone.

    Streamlining the process will save businesses time and money, encourage foreign companies to use the UK’s world-class lawyers and courts to settle their disputes and grow the economy overall.

    Justice Minister, Lord Ponsonby, said:

    This Convention delivers real benefits for British businesses dealing with international disputes.

    As part of our Plan for Change we’re boosting UK firms’ confidence to trade by minimising legal costs and ensuring justice across borders, all while cementing Britain’s role as a global legal powerhouse committed to the rule of law.

    The Convention will enhance international legal collaboration. It will apply to judgments in civil and commercial matters, strengthening the UK’s position as a global hub for dispute resolution.

    The 2019 Hague Convention is already being applied by 29 parties, from Ukraine to EU countries, with Uruguay joining last year. This means UK civil and commercial judgments will be recognised and enforced in these nations and that the UK will recognise judgments made in their courts.

    With 91 members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), a major multilateral forum for private international law rules which has produced numerous conventions including the 2019 Hague Convention, Hague 2019 has a potentially global reach. 

    The Convention will apply to judgments given in proceedings that commence on or after 1 July 2025 across the entire United Kingdom or in other participating countries.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Prospect Park Announces Full Revocation of Cease Trade Order

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prospect Park Capital Corp. (the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the failure-to-file cease trade order (the “FFCTO”) issued by the Ontario Securities Commission (the “OSC”) has been revoked.

    The FFCTO was issued by the OSC on February 3, 2023 as a result of the Company’s failure to file its ‎annual financial statements, related management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) and certifications for the year ended September 30, 2022‎, as required by National Instrument 51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”) and National Instrument 52-109 – Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings. The Company applied to the OSC for full revocation of the FFCTO and the order granting the same was issued effective April 24, 2025.

    The Company has filed the following continuous disclosure documents:

    • Audited annual financial statements, accompanying MD&As and related certificates for the years ended September 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024;
    • Unaudited interim financial statements, accompanying MD&As and related certificates for the interim periods ended December 31, 2022, March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024;
    • Executive compensation disclosure in accordance with Form 51-102F6 for the years ended September 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024;
    • Audit committee disclosure in accordance with Form 52-110F2 for the years ended September 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024 ‎(this disclosure was included in the applicable annual MD&A); ‎and
    • Corporate governance disclosure required by Form 58-101F2 for the years ended September 30, 2022, 2023 and 2024 ‎(this disclosure was included in the applicable annual MD&A).

    As a result, the Company has now filed all continuous disclosure required by the OSC, and the Company has given the following undertakings to the OSC:

    1. The Company will hold an annual general meeting of its shareholders on or before July 24, 2025 (the “Meeting”).
    2. The Company will include a schedule of investment portfolio or similar disclosure in its annual and interim financial statements and certain financial and non-financial disclosure about private company investees within the Company’s portfolio that represent 10% or more of the Company’s assets, subject to certain exclusions, in its annual and interim MD&A.
    3. While the Company is reasonably construed as an “income trust” or “issuer in this policy” pursuant to section 1.2 of National Policy 41-201 – Income Trusts and Other Indirect Offerings with respect to each non-reporting issuer entity in which the Company has an equity investment (each, an “Investee”) where (i) such Investee’s financial statements are not consolidated with those of the financial statements ‎of the Company, and (ii) either (A) the Company’s annual EBITDA received from such Investee during the ‎applicable fiscal year is more than 33.33% of the Company’s total annual consolidated EBITDA during ‎that fiscal year, or (B) the assets of such Investee as at the end of the applicable fiscal year represent ‎more than 33.33% of the Company’s total consolidated assets as at the end of such fiscal year, the Company will file on its SEDAR+ profile (i) annual audited financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis in respect of the applicable Investee(s), and (ii) an annual certificate concurrently with providing the financial statements referenced in (i) above, that it has complied with the above undertakings.

    The Company has also amended and restated By-Law No. 1, which the Company will seek shareholder confirmation at the Meeting, and the directors of the Company have amended its investment policy, a copy of which has been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com).

    The Company is continuing its operations as an investment corporation with the objective of enhancing shareholder value, and further intends to continue building its portfolio of investments.

    In addition, the Company will be applying to the Canadian Securities Exchange for a reinstatement of the listing of its common shares that were delisted on July 30, 2024, subject to satisfaction of all necessary listing requirements. While the Company intends to satisfy all of the applicable listing criteria, no assurance can be given that its application will be approved or the timing thereof.

    For more information please contact:

    James Greig
    Chief Executive Officer
    Prospect Park Capital Corp.
    Tel: (778) 788-2745

    This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends”, “expects” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would” or will “potentially” or “likely” occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward-looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the timing and completion of a shareholders’ meeting; the Company being able to comply with undertakings; the Company continuing to build its portfolio of investments; and the timing and completion of a reinstatement of the listing of its common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange.

    Such statements reflect the ‎Company’s current views and ‎intentions with respect to future events, and ‎current information ‎available to the Company, and ‎are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and ‎assumptions‎, including, without limitation, the Company having necessary capital, and Investees complying with requests, contractual or otherwise, to provide certain information or documents to the Company.

    These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the failure of the Company to receive the required corporate and regulatory approvals, access to capital, negotiation and completion of new acquisitions, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company’s disclosure documents filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.com.

    Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement referred to herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Around the Air Force: Space Force Warfighting Framework, Training Range Improvements, Integrating Air and Missile Defense

    Source: United States Air Force

    In this week’s look Around the Air Force, the U.S. Space Force outlines a vision for space superiority, Combat Support Training Ranges get improvements for warfighters, and the Air Force works with the Army on a large-scale military modernization experiment.

    MIL Security OSI –