NewzIntel.com

Category: Security

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Dairy Flat

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    One person has died following a motorcycle crash in Dairy Flat last night.

    A Police unit noticed a motorbike travelling at excess speed along Wilks Road at around 9.30pm.

    The Police unit turned around to conduct a traffic stop but was unable to locate the motorcyclist.

    A short time later Police were notified of a motorbike crash on Wilks Road.

    Emergency services quickly responded but the rider died at the scene.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash: Taradale Road, Napier

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Motorists on Taradale Road in Napier should expect delays following a crash this morning.

    One person has critical injuries following a collision between two vehicles at the intersection with Riverbend Road at Onekawa. The crash was reported about 8.10am.

    A lamp post has fallen in the crash and the northbound lane of the highway is blocked.

    The road will be closed for some time while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

    Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Landmark Bancorp, Inc. Announces 30.5% Increase in Third Quarter Net Earnings and Earnings Per Share of $0.72. Declares Cash Dividend of $0.21 per Share and 5% Stock Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Manhattan, KS, Oct. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (“Landmark”; Nasdaq: LARK) reported diluted earnings per share of $0.72 for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $0.55 per share in the second quarter of 2024 and $0.52 per share in the same quarter last year. Net earnings for the third quarter of 2024 amounted to $3.9 million, compared to $3.0 million in the prior quarter and $2.9 million for the third quarter of 2023. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the return on average assets was 1.00%, the return on average equity was 11.82%, and the efficiency ratio was 66.5%.

    For the first nine months of 2024, diluted earnings per share totaled $1.77 compared to $1.75 during the same period in 2023. Net earnings for the first nine months of 2024 totaled $9.7 million, compared to $9.6 million in the first nine months of 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the return on average assets was 0.84%, the return on average equity was 10.18%, and the efficiency ratio was 68.8%.

    In making this announcement, Abby Wendel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Landmark, said, “The Company delivered strong results in the third quarter 2024. Net earnings grew 30.5 percent over the prior quarter and 36.6 percent over the same period last year. Earnings per share also increased 36.5 percent over the third quarter last year. Growth in loans, margin expansion, and higher non-interest income all contributed to strong revenue growth. This quarter total loans grew $21.3 million, or 8.6 percent annualized, driven mainly by strong growth in residential mortgage, agriculture and commercial real estate loans. Additionally, net interest income grew 5.7 percent, to $11.6 million, as higher interest on loans exceeded interest costs on deposits and our net interest margin expanded by nine basis points and was 3.30 percent for the quarter. Non-interest income also increased $533,000 over the prior quarter mainly due to increases in fees and service charges earned along with a gain on the sale of a former branch. During the third quarter 2024, non-interest expense declined by $536,000, as the prior quarter included a $979,000 valuation adjustment on a former branch facility. Deposit balances increased 8.0 percent annualized during the third quarter mainly due to growth in money market, checking, and certificate of deposit accounts. Stockholders’ equity also increased by $11.4 million as lower rates this quarter reduced our net unrealized securities losses and increased our book value per share.”

    Landmark’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.21 per share, to be paid November 27, 2024, to common stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 13, 2024. The Board of Directors also declared a 5% stock dividend payable on December 16, 2024, to common stockholders of record on December 2, 2024. This is the 24th consecutive year that the Board has declared a 5% stock dividend.

    Management will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results at 10:00 a.m. (Central time) on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Investors may participate via telephone by dialing (833) 470-1428 and using access code 242414. A replay of the call will be available through November 30, 2024, by dialing (866) 813-9403 and using access code 908094.

    SUMMARY OF THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

    Net earnings in the third quarter of 2024 increased $919,000, to $3.9 million mainly due to growth in net interest income coupled with higher non-interest income and lower non-interest expense. The current quarter included a gain of $273,000 on the sale of a former branch and we also recorded a provision for credit losses of $500,000.

    Net Interest Income

    Net interest income in the third quarter of 2024 amounted to $11.6 million representing an increase of $630,000, or 5.7%, compared to the previous quarter. The increase in net interest income was due mainly to growth in interest income on loans, but partially offset by higher interest expense on deposits. The net interest margin increased to 3.30% during the third quarter from 3.21% during the prior quarter. Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans increased $911,000, or 6.1%, to $15.9 million due to both higher average balances and rates. The average tax-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio increased 10 basis points to 6.43%. Interest expense on deposits increased $157,000, or 2.8%, in the third quarter 2024, compared to the prior quarter, mainly due to higher rates on interest-bearing deposits. The average rate on interest-bearing deposits increased in the third quarter to 2.48% compared to 2.44% in the prior quarter. Interest on borrowed funds increased $55,000 due to slightly higher average balances in the current quarter.

    Non-Interest Income

    Non-interest income totaled $4.3 million for the third quarter of 2024, an increase of $533,000, or 14.3%, from the previous quarter. The increase in non-interest income compared to the second quarter of 2024 was primarily the result of increases of $282,000 in other non-interest income and $189,000 in fees and service charges. Gain on sales of residential mortgage loans also increased 8.6% compared to the prior quarter. The increase in other non-interest income was primarily due to a $273,000 gain on the sale of a former branch.

    Non-Interest Expense

    During the third quarter of 2024, non-interest expense totaled $10.6 million, a decrease of $536,000, or 4.8%, compared to the prior quarter. As mentioned above, non-interest expense in the prior quarter included a valuation allowance of $979,000 recorded on a former branch facility that was ultimately sold in the third quarter of 2024. Partially offsetting that decline were increases of $299,000 in compensation and benefits and $135,000 in occupancy and equipment.

    Income Tax Expense

    Landmark recorded income tax expense of $867,000 in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $587,000 in the prior quarter. The effective tax rate was 18.1% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 16.3% in the second quarter of 2024. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to higher earnings before taxes as tax-exempt income was consistent between the periods.

    Balance Sheet Highlights

    As of September 30, 2024, gross loans totaled $1.0 billion, an increase of $21.3 million, or 8.6% annualized since June 30, 2024. During the quarter, loan growth was primarily comprised of one-to-four family residential real estate (growth of $12.3 million), agriculture (growth of $7.5 million) and commercial real estate (growth of $5.2 million) loans. The increase in one-to-four family residential real estate loans reflects continued demand for adjustable-rate mortgage loans which are retained in our portfolio. Investment securities decreased $9.4 million during the third quarter of 2024, while pre-tax unrealized net losses on these investment securities decreased from $24.8 million at June 30, 2024 to $13.3 million at September 30, 2024.

    Period end deposit balances increased $25.0 million to $1.3 billion at September 30, 2024. The increase in deposits was mainly driven by increases in money market and checking (increase of $19.2 million) and certificates of deposit (increase of $11.4 million). Average interest-bearing deposits however were down slightly this quarter compared to the second quarter. Total borrowings decreased $38.5 million during the third quarter 2024. Average borrowings, including FHLB advances and repurchase agreements increased $4.3 million this quarter compared to the second quarter. At September 30, 2024, the loan to deposits ratio was 77.6% compared to 77.5% in the prior quarter.

    Stockholders’ equity increased to $139.7 million (book value of $25.39 per share) as of September 30, 2024, from $128.3 million (book value of $23.45 per share) as of June 30, 2024. The increase in stockholders’ equity was primarily due to a decline in accumulated other comprehensive losses as the unrealized net losses on investments securities declined during the third quarter. The ratio of equity to total assets increased to 8.93% on September 30, 2024, from 8.22% on June 30, 2024.

    The allowance for credit losses totaled $11.5 million, or 1.15% of total gross loans on September 30, 2024, compared to $10.9 million, or 1.11% of total gross loans on June 30, 2024. Net loan charge-offs totaled $9,000 in the third quarter of 2024, compared to net loan recoveries of $52,000 during the second quarter of 2024. A provision for credit losses of $500,000 was recorded in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a no provision for credit losses in the second quarter of 2024.

    Non-performing loans totaled $13.4 million, or 1.34% of gross loans at September 30, 2024 compared to $5.0 million, or 0.51% of gross loans at June 30, 2024. The increase in non-accrual loans was primarily related to one commercial loan which was put on non-accrual status this quarter. Loans 30-89 days delinquent totaled $7.3 million, or 0.73% of gross loans, as of September 30, 2024, compared to $1.9 million, or 0.19% of gross loans, as of June 30, 2024. The increase in delinquent loans was primarily related to two commercial-related loans. Foreclosed real estate owned totaled $428,000 at September 30, 2024.

    About Landmark

    Landmark Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for Landmark National Bank, is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “LARK.” Headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas, Landmark National Bank is a community banking organization dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services. Landmark National Bank has 30 locations in 24 communities across Kansas: Manhattan (2), Auburn, Dodge City (2), Fort Scott (2), Garden City, Great Bend (2), Hoisington, Iola, Junction City, Kincaid, La Crosse, Lawrence (2), Lenexa, Louisburg, Mound City, Osage City, Osawatomie, Overland Park, Paola, Pittsburg, Prairie Village, Topeka (2), Wamego and Wellsville, Kansas. Visit www.banklandmark.com for more information.

    Contact:
    Mark A. Herpich
    Chief Financial Officer
    (785) 565-2000

    Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Landmark. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this press release, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and Landmark undertakes no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events. A number of factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: (i) the strength of the local, national and international economies, including the effects of inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints on such economies; (ii) changes in state and federal laws, regulations and governmental policies concerning banking, securities, consumer protection, insurance, monetary, trade and tax matters, including any changes in response to the recent failures of other banks; (iii) changes in interest rates and prepayment rates of our assets; (iv) increased competition in the financial services sector and the inability to attract new customers, including from non-bank competitors such as credit unions and “fintech” companies; (v) timely development and acceptance of new products and services; (vi) changes in technology and the ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems; (vii) our risk management framework; (viii) interruptions in information technology and telecommunications systems and third-party services; (ix) changes and uncertainty in benchmark interest rates, including the timing of rate changes, if any, by the Federal Reserve; (x) the effects of severe weather, natural disasters, widespread disease or pandemics, or other external events; (xi) the loss of key executives or employees; (xii) changes in consumer spending; (xiii) integration of acquired businesses; (xiv) unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation; (xv) changes in accounting policies and practices, such as the implementation of the current expected credit losses accounting standard; (xvi) the economic impact of past and any future terrorist attacks, acts of war, including the current Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the conflict in Ukraine, or threats thereof, and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks; (xvii) the ability to manage credit risk, forecast loan losses and maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses; (xviii) fluctuations in the value of securities held in our securities portfolio; (xix) concentrations within our loan portfolio, large loans to certain borrowers, and large deposits from certain clients; (xx) the concentration of large deposits from certain clients who have balances above current FDIC insurance limits and may withdraw deposits to diversify their exposure; (xxi) the level of non-performing assets on our balance sheets; (xxii) the ability to raise additional capital; (xxiii) cyber-attacks; (xxiv) declines in real estate values; (xxv) the effects of fraud on the part of our employees, customers, vendors or counterparties; and (xxvi) any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of reports filed by Landmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning Landmark and its business, including additional risk factors that could materially affect Landmark’s financial results, is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands)   September 30,     June 30,     March 31,     December 31,     September 30,  
        2024     2024     2024     2023     2023  
    Assets                              
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 21,211     $ 23,889     $ 16,468     $ 27,101     $ 23,821  
    Interest-bearing deposits at other banks     4,363       4,881       4,920       4,918       5,904  
    Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value:                                        
    U.S. treasury securities     83,753       89,325       93,683       95,667       118,341  
    Municipal obligations, tax exempt     112,126       114,047       118,445       120,623       115,706  
    Municipal obligations, taxable     75,129       74,588       75,371       79,083       73,993  
    Agency mortgage-backed securities     140,004       142,499       149,777       157,396       148,817  
    Total investment securities available-for-sale     411,012       420,459       437,276       452,769       456,857  
    Investment securities held-to-maturity     3,643       3,613       3,584       3,555       3,525  
    Bank stocks, at cost     7,894       9,647       7,850       8,123       8,009  
    Loans:                                        
    One-to-four family residential real estate     344,380       332,090       312,833       302,544       289,571  
    Construction and land     23,454       30,480       24,823       21,090       21,657  
    Commercial real estate     324,016       318,850       323,397       320,962       323,427  
    Commercial     181,652       178,876       181,945       180,942       185,831  
    Agriculture     91,986       84,523       86,808       89,680       84,560  
    Municipal     7,098       6,556       5,690       4,507       3,200  
    Consumer     29,263       29,200       28,544       28,931       29,180  
    Total gross loans     1,001,849       980,575       964,040       948,656       937,426  
    Net deferred loan (fees) costs and loans in process     (63 )     (583 )     (578 )     (429 )     (396 )
    Allowance for credit losses     (11,544 )     (10,903 )     (10,851 )     (10,608 )     (10,970 )
    Loans, net     990,242       969,089       952,611       937,619       926,060  
    Loans held for sale, at fair value     3,250       2,513       2,697       853       1,857  
    Bank owned life insurance     39,176       38,826       38,578       38,333       38,090  
    Premises and equipment, net     20,976       20,986       20,696       19,709       23,911  
    Goodwill     32,377       32,377       32,377       32,377       32,377  
    Other intangible assets, net     2,729       2,900       3,071       3,241       3,414  
    Mortgage servicing rights     3,041       2,997       2,977       3,158       3,368  
    Real estate owned, net     428       428       428       928       934  
    Other assets     23,309       28,149       29,684       28,988       29,459  
    Total assets   $ 1,563,651     $ 1,560,754     $ 1,553,217     $ 1,561,672     $ 1,557,586  
                                             
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                                        
    Liabilities:                                        
    Deposits:                                        
    Non-interest-bearing demand     360,188       360,631       364,386       367,103       395,046  
    Money market and checking     565,629       546,385       583,315       613,613       586,651  
    Savings     145,825       150,996       154,000       152,381       157,112  
    Certificates of deposit     203,860       192,470       191,823       183,154       169,225  
    Total deposits     1,275,502       1,250,482       1,293,524       1,316,251       1,308,034  
    FHLB and other borrowings     92,050       131,330       74,716       64,662       82,569  
    Subordinated debentures     21,651       21,651       21,651       21,651       21,651  
    Repurchase agreements     9,528       8,745       15,895       12,714       12,590  
    Accrued interest and other liabilities     25,229       20,292       20,760       19,480       23,185  
    Total liabilities     1,423,960       1,432,500       1,426,546       1,434,758       1,448,029  
    Stockholders’ equity:                                        
    Common stock     55       55       55       55       52  
    Additional paid-in capital     89,532       89,469       89,364       89,208       84,568  
    Retained earnings     60,549       57,774       55,912       54,282       57,280  
    Treasury stock, at cost     (396 )     (330 )     (249 )     (75 )     –  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (10,049 )     (18,714 )     (18,411 )     (16,556 )     (32,343 )
    Total stockholders’ equity     139,691       128,254       126,671       126,914       109,557  
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,563,651     $ 1,560,754     $ 1,553,217     $ 1,561,672     $ 1,557,586  


    LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   Three months ended,     Nine months ended,  
        September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
        2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Interest income:                                        
    Loans   $ 15,933     $ 15,022     $ 13,531     $ 45,445     $ 37,530  
    Investment securities:                                        
    Taxable     2,301       2,359       2,445       7,088       7,141  
    Tax-exempt     747       759       772       2,270       2,333  
    Interest-bearing deposits at banks     41       40       46       144       193  
    Total interest income     19,022       18,180       16,794       54,947       47,197  
    Interest expense:                                        
    Deposits     5,830       5,673       4,384       16,960       10,375  
    FHLB and other borrowings     1,100       1,027       1,251       3,149       2,845  
    Subordinated debentures     416       418       417       1,246       1,168  
    Repurchase agreements     72       88       116       267       403  
    Total interest expense     7,418       7,206       6,168       21,622       14,791  
    Net interest income     11,604       10,974       10,626       33,325       32,406  
    Provision for credit losses     500       –       –       800       299  
    Net interest income after provision for credit losses     11,104       10,974       10,626       32,525       32,107  
    Non-interest income:                                        
    Fees and service charges     2,880       2,691       2,618       8,032       7,457  
    Gains on sales of loans, net     704       648       491       1,864       2,014  
    Bank owned life insurance     254       248       230       747       671  
    Other     415       133       313       730       834  
    Total non-interest income     4,253       3,720       3,652       11,373       10,976  
    Non-interest expense:                                        
    Compensation and benefits     5,803       5,504       5,811       16,839       16,925  
    Occupancy and equipment     1,429       1,294       1,373       4,113       4,136  
    Data processing     464       492       458       1,437       1,478  
    Amortization of mortgage servicing rights and other intangibles     256       256       474       924       1,407  
    Professional fees     573       649       624       1,869       1,722  
    Valuation allowance on real estate held for sale     –       979       –       1,108       –  
    Other     2,034       1,921       1,989       5,915       5,753  
    Total non-interest expense     10,559       11,095       10,729       32,205       31,421  
    Earnings before income taxes     4,798       3,599       3,549       11,693       11,662  
    Income tax expense     867       587       671       1,972       2,065  
    Net earnings   $ 3,931     $ 3,012     $ 2,878     $ 9,721     $ 9,597  
                                             
    Net earnings per share (1)                                        
    Basic   $ 0.72     $ 0.55     $ 0.53     $ 1.77     $ 1.75  
    Diluted     0.72       0.55       0.52       1.77       1.75  
    Dividends per share (1)     0.21       0.21       0.20       0.63       0.60  
    Shares outstanding at end of period (1)     5,501,221       5,469,566       5,481,805       5,501,221       5,481,805  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (1)     5,490,808       5,471,724       5,479,909       5,477,453       5,476,703  
    Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted (1)     5,495,728       5,474,336       5,482,633       5,481,456       5,481,270  
                                             
    Tax equivalent net interest income   $ 11,777     $ 11,167     $ 10,809     $ 33,852     $ 32,974  

    (1) Share and per share values at or for the period ended September 30, 2023 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2023.

    LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Select Ratios and Other Data (unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   As of or for the
    three months ended,    		     As of or for the
    nine months ended,    		  
        September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
        2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
    Performance ratios:                                        
    Return on average assets (1)     1.00 %     0.78 %     0.74 %     0.84 %     0.84 %
    Return on average equity (1)     11.82 %     9.72 %     9.87 %     10.18 %     11.13 %
    Net interest margin (1)(2)     3.30 %     3.21 %     3.06 %     3.21 %     3.19 %
    Effective tax rate     18.1 %     16.3 %     18.9 %     16.9 %     17.7 %
    Efficiency ratio (3)     66.5 %     67.9 %     73.8 %     68.8 %     71.0 %
    Non-interest income to total income (3)     25.5 %     25.4 %     25.6 %     25.0 %     25.3 %
                                             
    Average balances:                                        
    Investment securities   $ 428,301     $ 437,136     $ 486,706     $ 440,744     $ 493,853  
    Loans     985,659       955,104       906,289       962,252       877,048  
    Assets     1,562,482       1,545,816       1,549,724       1,554,682       1,528,938  
    Interest-bearing deposits     936,218       936,237       902,727       935,958       886,227  
    FHLB and other borrowings     77,958       72,875       89,441       74,496       70,774  
    Subordinated debentures     21,651       21,651       21,651       21,651       21,651  
    Repurchase agreements     10,774       11,524       15,387       12,218       19,903  
    Stockholders’ equity   $ 132,271     $ 124,624     $ 115,644     $ 127,597     $ 115,275  
                                             
    Average tax equivalent yield/cost (1):                                        
    Investment securities     2.99 %     3.04 %     2.77 %     2.99 %     2.72 %
    Loans     6.43 %     6.33 %     5.93 %     6.31 %     5.72 %
    Total interest-bearing assets     5.38 %     5.29 %     4.81 %     5.26 %     4.62 %
    Interest-bearing deposits     2.48 %     2.44 %     1.93 %     2.42 %     1.57 %
    FHLB and other borrowings     5.61 %     5.67 %     5.55 %     5.65 %     5.37 %
    Subordinated debentures     7.64 %     7.76 %     7.64 %     7.69 %     7.21 %
    Repurchase agreements     2.66 %     3.07 %     2.99 %     2.92 %     2.71 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     2.82 %     2.78 %     2.38 %     2.77 %     1.98 %
                                             
    Capital ratios:                                        
    Equity to total assets     8.93 %     8.22 %     7.03 %                
    Tangible equity to tangible assets (3)     6.84 %     6.09 %     4.85 %                
    Book value per share   $ 25.39     $ 23.45     $ 19.99                  
    Tangible book value per share (3)   $ 19.01     $ 17.00     $ 13.46                  
                                             
    Rollforward of allowance for credit losses (loans):                                        
    Beginning balance   $ 10,903     $ 10,851     $ 10,449     $ 10,608     $ 8,791  
    Adoption of CECL     –       –       –       –       1,523  
    Charge-offs     (153 )     (119 )     (142 )     (413 )     (408 )
    Recoveries     144       171       663       449       814  
    Provision for credit losses for loans     650       –       –       900       250  
    Ending balance   $ 11,544     $ 10,903     $ 10,970     $ 11,544     $ 10,970  
                                             
    Allowance for unfunded loan commitments   $ 150     $ 300     $ 200                  
                                             
    Non-performing assets:                                        
    Non-accrual loans   $ 13,415     $ 5,007     $ 4,440                  
    Accruing loans over 90 days past due     –       –       –                  
    Real estate owned     428       428       934                  
    Total non-performing assets   $ 13,843     $ 5,435     $ 5,374                  
                                             
    Loans 30-89 days delinquent   $ 7,301     $ 1,872     $ 6,173                  
                                             
    Other ratios:                                        
    Loans to deposits     77.64 %     77.50 %     70.80 %                
    Loans 30-89 days delinquent and still accruing to gross loans outstanding     0.73 %     0.19 %     0.66 %                
    Total non-performing loans to gross loans outstanding     1.34 %     0.51 %     0.47 %                
    Total non-performing assets to total assets     0.89 %     0.35 %     0.35 %                
    Allowance for credit losses to gross loans outstanding     1.15 %     1.11 %     1.17 %                
    Allowance for credit losses to total non-performing loans     86.05 %     217.76 %     247.07 %                
    Net loan charge-offs to average loans (1)     0.00 %     -0.02 %     -0.23 %     0.00 %     -0.06 %
    (1 ) Information is annualized.
    (2 ) Net interest margin is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis, using a 21% federal tax rate.
    (3 ) Non-GAAP financial measures. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this press release for a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP equivalent.
         

    LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
    Non-GAAP Finacials Measures (unaudited)

    (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)   As of or for the
    three months ended,    		     As of or for the
    nine months ended,    		  
        September 30,     June 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
        2024     2024     2023     2024     2023  
                                   
    Non-GAAP financial ratio reconciliation:                                        
    Total non-interest expense   $ 10,559     $ 11,095     $ 10,729     $ 32,205     $ 31,421  
    Less: foreclosure and real estate owned expense     (23 )     39       (1 )     (34 )     (21 )
    Less: amortization of other intangibles     (171 )     (171 )     (196 )     (512 )     (591 )
    Less: valuation allowance on real estate held for sale     –       (979 )     –       (1,108 )     –  
    Adjusted non-interest expense (A)     10,365       9,984       10,532       30,551       30,809  
                                             
    Net interest income (B)     11,604       10,974       10,626       33,325       32,406  
                                             
    Non-interest income     4,253       3,720       3,652       11,373       10,976  
    Less: losses (gains) on sales of investment securities, net     –       –       –       –       –  
    Less: gains on sales of premises and equipment and foreclosed assets     (273 )     9       –       (264 )     (1 )
    Adjusted non-interest income (C)   $ 3,980     $ 3,729     $ 3,652     $ 11,109     $ 10,975  
                                             
    Efficiency ratio (A/(B+C))     66.5 %     67.9 %     73.8 %     68.8 %     71.0 %
    Non-interest income to total income (C/(B+C))     25.5 %     25.4 %     25.6 %     25.0 %     25.3 %
                                             
    Total stockholders’ equity   $ 139,691     $ 128,254     $ 109,557                  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets     (35,106 )     (35,277 )     (35,791 )                
    Tangible equity (D)   $ 104,585     $ 92,977     $ 73,766                  
                                             
    Total assets   $ 1,563,651     $ 1,560,754     $ 1,557,586                  
    Less: goodwill and other intangible assets     (35,106 )     (35,277 )     (35,791 )                
    Tangible assets (E)   $ 1,528,545     $ 1,525,477     $ 1,521,795                  
                                             
    Tangible equity to tangible assets (D/E)     6.84 %     6.09 %     4.85 %                
                                             
    Shares outstanding at end of period (F)     5,501,221       5,469,566       5,481,805                  
                                             
    Tangible book value per share (D/F)   $ 19.01     $ 17.00     $ 13.46                  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Introduces Bill 41 to Expand Mandatory Training for Prospective Judges and Judicial Justices of the Peace

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 30, 2024

    Manitoba Government Introduces Bill 41 to Expand Mandatory Training for Prospective Judges and Judicial Justices of the Peace

    – – –
    New Training Would Include Intimate Partner Violence and Experiences of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons: Wiebe

    The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would expand continuing education requirements for prospective provincial court judges and judicial justices of the peace in areas of intimate partner violence, coercive control and the experiences of Indigenous persons and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced today.

    “Training in intimate partner violence, coercive control and the experience of Indigenous persons and 2SLGBTQIA+ community would help ensure that everyone feels respected in our justice system,” said Wiebe. “Manitoba would be among the leaders in Canada by requiring continuing education on these topics. I want to thank all the advocates who have worked tirelessly to enact Keira’s Law and acknowledge members of the judiciary who are committed to enhancing judicial education. Our government is dedicated to creating a more just system for all Manitobans.”

    Under proposed amendments to the Provincial Court Act, candidates for appointment as provincial court judges would be required to participate in continuing education in three new areas:

    • intimate partner violence;
    • coercive control in intimate partner and family relationships; and
    • the experience of Indigenous persons and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons in the justice system and in society generally.

    These would be in addition to current requirements to participate in continuing education on sexual assault law and social context including systemic racism and systemic discrimination.

    Currently, the Provincial Court Act does not address continuing education for judicial justices of the peace. With the proposed amendments, judicial justice of the peace candidates would be required to participate in continuing education on the same subjects as provincial court judge candidates. This is important because judicial justices of the peace have jurisdiction to make decisions regarding protection orders, provincial offences and search orders, the minister noted.

    The governments of Canada and Ontario have enacted similar legislation known as “Keira’s Law” to ensure judges receive education on domestic violence and coercive control in intimate partner and family relationships.

    The Manitoba government’s proposed legislation includes additional requirements, the minister noted, formalizing the requirement of training surrounding the experiences of Indigenous persons and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons in the justice system and in society.

    Continuing education seminars may be developed by the chief judge in consultation with affected persons including survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence along with persons, groups or organizations that support them. For seminars on social context and community experiences, consultation may include representatives of Indigenous and 2SLQBTQIA+ communities and other communities that have experienced systemic racism and discrimination. This legislation would also ensure funding for these continuing education seminars established by the chief judge does not lapse at the end of the fiscal year, noted Wiebe.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Brad Embry as Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

    Source: US State of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Brad Embry as Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. This appointment is effective January 1, 2025.

    Brad Embry
    Embry is the Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller-Elect. Previously, he served as Chief of Staff for the Okaloosa County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, a Special Agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and an Investigator for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Embry earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University and his master’s degree in public administration from the University of West Florida.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Derek Barrs to the School Board of Flagler County

    Source: US State of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Derek Barrs to the School Board of Flagler County.

    Derek Barrs
    Barrs is the Associate Vice President for HNTB Corporation. Active in his community, he currently serves as a member of the American Trucking Association Law Enforcement Advisory Board, the Florida Trucking Association, and the Flagler Sheriffs Employee Trust Board of Directors. Barrs earned his associate degree in criminal justice from North Florida College and his bachelor’s degree in public administration from Flagler College.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Marion Man Sentenced to 262 Months in Prison

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

    FORT WAYNE–James Darquan McCreary, 45 years old, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Clifford D. Johnson.

    McCreary was sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by 8 years of supervised release. 

    According to documents in the case, in March 2020, McCreary possessed more than 500 grams of cocaine that was intended for distribution and illegally possessed firearms as a convicted felon.  McCreary was determined to be a career offender based on his prior felony battery and robbery convictions from Grant County, Indiana.  

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the J.E.A.N. (Joint Effort Against Narcotics) Team Drug Task Force, the Indiana State Police, the Marion Police Department, the Grant County Sheriff’s Department, the Grant County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony W. Geller.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Florida Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death of Baby and Possession of Firearms as a Convicted Felon

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

    MIAMI – Yesterday afternoon, Darnell Mendez, 36, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, by U. S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg. Mendez and his girlfriend, Samantha Yi, previously pled guilty to federal offenses resulting from a long-term joint investigation by the Boynton Beach Police Department (BBPD), the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following the death of a 10-month-old infant in Boynton Beach, Fla. who had ingested fentanyl. Yi is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9, 2025, and faces a minimum mandatory sentence of at least twenty years in prison.

    On March 31, 2022, PBSO responded to a 911 call of an infant in distress. The infant was transported to Bethesda Hospital East in Boynton Beach with her mother. On April 1, 2022, the baby was transferred to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Fla. On April 5, 2022, the baby died. An autopsy conducted by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner determined that the baby’s death was caused by fentanyl intoxication and that her manner of death was a homicide.

    The BBPD conducted a homicide investigation during which law enforcement recovered fentanyl at the baby’s home. The investigation determined that the baby’s mother and father were addicts and had been abusing fentanyl regularly in the kitchen of their apartment. The investigation also determined that the baby was teething and ingested fentanyl on March 31, 2022, while in the care of her mother, and while her father was at work. The mother was arrested by the BBPD and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child by culpable negligence.

    DEA joined the investigation to identify the drug dealers that were responsible for the distribution of the fentanyl that killed the baby. Through data and information retrieved from the mother’s cellphone, law enforcement was able to identify Yi as the drug dealer. The investigation uncovered months of electronic communications exchanged between Yi and the mother involving drug transactions in which the mother was the customer. The investigation further determined that Yi’s boyfriend, Mendez was also involved in the distribution of fentanyl. Investigators were able to determine that on March 30, 2022, the mother met with Yi in Boynton Beach to purchase fentanyl, and that fentanyl was ingested by the baby resulting in her death.

    As part of the joint investigation, DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), BBPD, and PBSO conducted an operation involving two undercover officers who purchased fentanyl from Yi and Mendez. The undercover operation culminated in the arrests of Yi and Mendez on March 6, at their residence in Lake Worth, where law enforcement discovered 14 firearms. As part of their pleas, Yi and Mendez admitted being felons unlawfully in possession of firearms.

    U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter of the DEA, Miami Field Division, Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the ATF, Miami Field Division, Chief Joe DeGiulio of BBPD, and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of PBSO announced the sentencing.

    The Office of State Attorney Dave Aronberg for the 15th Judicial Circuit – Palm Beach County provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam McMichael and Shannon O’Shea Darsch are prosecuting the case.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-80041.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Murderer Found Guilty of Illegally Possessing Multiple Firearms Following Federal Jury Trial

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

    INDIANAPOLIS— A federal jury has convicted Salam Abdul Ali, 57, of Indianapolis, of illegally possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon, following a one-day trial.

    According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on January 28, 2024, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) officers were dispatched to a home for a domestic disturbance call. Upon arrival, a woman who lived at the home with her children reported that her ex-boyfriend, Salam Abdul Ali, owned guns and made threats to kill her, her children, and her brother following an argument the previous night.

    On February 14, 2024, IMPD investigators conducted a court-authorized search at Ali’s residence. During the search, investigators located five firearms in his bedroom, along with ammunition and firearm accessories. Ali was present and admitted to law enforcement officers, “I got guns, I sure do,” which was captured on body worn camera.

    During the investigation, officers learned that Ali’s former name was Christopher Butler. Ali changed his name from Butler after he was convicted of murder in Marion County and sentenced to sentenced to 60 years in prison. He was released from state prison in approximately 2013. In 2019, Ali was convicted in federal court for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy and sentenced to time served in federal prison. Ali was still on federal supervised release at the time of his most recent arrest. Ali is permanently prohibited from ever again legally possessing a firearm as a result of his felony convictions.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and IMPD investigated this case. U.S. District Judge Matthew P. Brookman presided over the trial and will sentence the defendant at a future hearing. Ali faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

    U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pam Domash and Zachary Szilagyi, who prosecuted this case.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gore Resident Sentenced For Federal Firearm Charge

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

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Kelly Don Girty, Jr., age 30, of Gore, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 46 months for illegally possessing a firearm. The Court ordered the federal sentence to run consecutive to state sentences Girty received in the District Court of Sequoyah County.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    On May 2, 2024, Girty pleaded guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  According to investigators, on January 7, 2024, a Sequoyah County Sheriff’s deputy conducting a routine traffic stop discovered Girty in possession of a .22 caliber bolt action rifle.  At the time of the stop, Girty had been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

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

    The Honorable John C. Coughenour, Senior U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, sitting by assignment, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Girty will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan E. Soverly represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer, Hoyle: State of Oregon & Four Tribes Earn More Than $12 Million in Federal Funds for Grid Resilience

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    October 30, 2024
    Tribes with Oregon presence to receive federal investments are the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Burns Paiute and Nez Perce
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Val Hoyle today announced that Oregon’s Energy Department has secured $10.9 million and four Tribes with members in Oregon have earned a combined $1.16 million in federal investment to modernize the electric grid and reduce the impacts of extreme weather while also ensuring power sector reliability.
    The four Tribes securing the federal funds are the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, Burns Paiute and Nez Perce.
    “Oregon families, small businesses, schools, hospitals and more rely on a dependable energy grid, said Wyden, who also has introduced the Grid Resilience Improvement through Dedicated (GRID) Assistance Act. “These fresh federal investments in grid resilience are incredibly timely after this year’s state record of nearly 2 million acres burned by wildfires. I’m gratified these resources are heading to these Tribes along with the state Energy Department, and will keep battling for similar funds for communities throughout the state.”
    “As devastating wildfires, droughts, and intense winter storms continue to grip Oregon, we must invest in strengthening our power grids to safeguard Oregon families and businesses,” Merkley said. “It is great news that these federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are heading to the Oregon Department of Energy and Tribes to make these critical improvements that will make all the difference for communities across Oregon when disasters strike.”
    “Our communities need an electric grid that can withstand the increasingly severe impacts of the climate crisis. Thanks to Democrats in Congress, Oregon and Tribal nations are receiving the investments necessary build this reality with a smarter, more resilient power grid,” said Blumenauer.
    “As this season’s record-breaking wildfire season showed, extreme weather, caused by the climate crisis, is becoming increasingly common across Oregon,” Hoyle said. “These funds will help to fortify our energy infrastructure against extreme weather and improve its dependability across the state and in Tribal communities. I’ll continue working with federal and state partners to ensure Oregon’s electric grid is safe and resilient.”
    The federal money for the state Energy Department and four Tribes is part of a combined total of $473.6 million nationally in fiscal year 2024 Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. The resources will be distributed as follows:
    ·       Oregon Department of Energy, $10.9 million 
    ·       Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, $454,958
    ·       Nez Perce Tribe, $290,877
    ·       Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribes of Indians, $268,172
    ·       Burns Paiute Tribe, $148,901
    “The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs is thankful for the federal government’s financial investment in our ability to protect our communities from extreme weather situations,” said Jonathan W. Smith, Sr., Chairman, Tribal Council for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. “These funds will allow us to develop community resilience centers on our reservation for our tribal members to seek refuge during unbearably hot and cold weather patterns.”
    “The Burns-Paiute tribe has identified energy security and resilience as a key priority,” said Tracy Kennedy, Chair of the Burns-Paiute Tribe. “We appreciate the support from Senator Wyden and Senator Merkley in helping us get funding to achieve our goals.” 
    “For the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, we aim to use these generous funds to improve the reliability of delivering power, water and utility services provided by our own Umpqua Indian Utility Cooperative to the many Cow Creek Umpqua Tribally-owned properties, our Tribal citizens, and our community members in Canyonville,” said Carla Keene, Chairman of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. “This grant allows us to exercise our sovereign rights, strengthen the resilience of our system, and put us closer to achieving one of our long-term goals of energy independence.”– 
    “The Nez Perce Tribe is committed to helping the Northwest meet its energy needs in a cleaner and smarter way that will address the impacts of current energy demands on salmon restoration,” said Shannon F. Wheeler, Chairman, Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee. “These funds are an important component of this collaborative work with energy utilities and other stakeholders in the Northwest and we are excited that these funds will allow us to continue to do this work.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Understanding Policing Delivery phase two research published

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Today Police and the Understanding Policing Delivery (UPD) Independent Panel have released a report, Kia Tika Ai, Kia Tōkeke Ai: Make Fair and Just Decisions, which summarises the phase two research of UPD.

    Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says he is pleased to have been able to see this important work through from the beginning to the end.

    “A number of recommendations have come out of this report and the earlier one (released in August).

    “Police has already accepted a number from the first report.

    “Whilst this new report will be for the incoming Commissioner and Executive to consider, the recommendations are broadly in line with work already underway in Police across a range of different work programmes.

    “I want to thank our staff and communities for taking part and sharing their honest and vulnerable experiences.

    “We know our staff are dealing with individuals every day who may have their own struggles, issues, addictions, or complex needs.

    “I know our people work very hard to provide the best response in every circumstance.

    “This research has shown the value in pursuing a deeper understanding of ourselves and all the communities we serve.” 

    The Panel identified the following themes across the phase two UPD research:

    • Authentic and collaborative community and policing innovations are making a difference

    • Systems, processes and cumulative experiences are getting in the way of fair and equitable policing for all communities

    • Some incidents of unprofessional conduct were reported

    • Being under-served, seen as undeserving, or being treated unfairly by police, is harmful.

    “This is not a barometer of policing in New Zealand but an in-depth look at what works, and what is not working.

    “We wanted to see policing from some of the perspectives and experiences of people in marginalised communities.”

    Tā Kim Workman, Pou Ārahi and the first chair of the UPD Independent Panel says if there is one thing that stands out for him, it is the way the Police engaged in this research.

    “The remarkable foresight and courage of Commissioner Coster in initiating this work will mark him out historically.

    “What was even more remarkable was the preparedness of frontline staff to engage in the fairness and equity conversation.

    “No other police jurisdiction has managed to get that level of Police staff cooperation.

    “This was not research about the Police – it was research with the Police.

    “That preparedness to have ‘difficult conversations’ explains why we arguably have the most progressive Police service in the world.”

    The phase one research gave an indication of what the inequities were and who experienced them through an analysis of existing Police data.

    In phase two, the qualitative approach provided insights into how these inequities are experienced by different communities and Police, including their impacts and what would make the difference.

    This includes tangible ways forward towards fairer and more equitable policing and examples of where this is already happening.

    The phase two research included engagement with tāngata whaikaha, D/deaf and disabled people, wāhine Māori who experience family harm, people who have experienced significant mental distress, Takatāpui and members of the rainbow community, gang whānau and some Police sites of innovation.

    A deliberate focus was on gathering voices not typically heard.

    UPD Independent Panel Chairperson Professor Khylee Quince says our researchers deliberately sought to hear the good and the bad of policing.

    “Some of the experiences shared by community members in encounters with Police will be confronting to hear, and we thank them for their courage in coming forward.

    “The researchers also heard of good Police practice across various sites of innovation around Aotearoa.

    “Together these insights support our recommendations – that Police do more of what leads to fair and equitable policing, and less of what does not align with Police values, the upholding of human rights and their obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

    “The Panel looks forward to the acceptance of this research by Police and the implementation and oversight of its recommendations under the incoming Police leadership team.”

    Notes to media

    This report makes eleven recommendations that build on the forty recommendations from the first phase research. The phase two recommendations are summarised below:

    1. Value relational ways of working with communities and police-experienced whānau to provide more effective solutions

    2. Amplify Māori and community-led local collaborations, where the Police play a supporting, enabling and resourcing role

    3. Introduce a practising certificate for all police officers, supported by ongoing professional development

    4. Further enhance Police training on de-escalation, history, Māori and other cultural responses and disability rights and disability justice to empower Police Officers

    5. Embed an organisational learning approach across the Police and lead out from the top

    6. Commit to regular analysis and public reporting on levels of service delivery and equity for Māori and marginalised communities

    7. Build on the Police Disability Roadmap to embed disability and mental health responsive policing model as standard

    8. Introduce independent governance and monitoring for all uses of TASER on people with existing health and disability conditions, children under 18, older people, and those in secure units, to ensure safe practice

    9. Work with disabled people and whānau to record relevant individual information as a flag in NIA to support positive and effective engagement

    10. Monitor and evaluate local and national innovative programmes and collaborations with iwi, communities and other agencies to scale what works

    11. Build on the existing Āwhi programme to ensure Police Officers can, and do, act as a conduit to community and specialist supports and services.

    The report can be viewed here.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Pig Butchering Invasion Has Begun – Wired

    Source: United States Institute of Peace

    Scam compounds have also been broken up in Peru and Sri Lanka. And there has even been alleged trafficking in truly unexpected places like the Isle of Man, a British territory where almost 100 people were working between 2022 and 2023 as part of a pig butchering operation, according to a BBC investigation from August.

    “The People’s Republic of China–origin criminal groups that are behind these sophisticated forms of scamming are looking to build networks and hubs all around the globe simply because this is so lucrative,” says Jason Tower, the country director for Burma and a long-time security analyst covering China and Southeast Asia at the United States Institute of Peace.

    Pig butchering scam centers rely upon multiple layers of criminality to operate, encompassing the recruitment of trafficked people, running scam centers on a day-to-day basis, the development of technology to scam thousands of people, and the sophisticated money laundering required to process billions of dollars. As Chinese authorities have cracked down on Chinese-speaking criminal organizations operating scam centers across Southeast Asia, the groups have likely continued to spread their operations, albeit at a smaller scale.

    “I would say it was an intentional hedging strategy, seemingly to diversify the geographic basis of operation and ultimately ensure business continuity,” says John Wojcik, an organized crime analyst at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. “But at the same time, I think it’s also an immediate reaction to mounting law enforcement pressure and regulatory tightening in this region.”

    In addition to the geographic spread of pig butchering operations, researchers note that there has also been a shift in the people targeted by traffickers to “work” in scam compounds. “Over the past two years, the countries targeted for recruitment have gradually shifted westward,” says Eric Heintz, a global analyst at human rights organization International Justice Mission.

    Many trafficking victims within the early years of pig butchering were based in Southeast Asian countries, but this soon shifted to South Asian nations such as India and Nepal, Heintz says. “We have since seen recruitment posts targeting East African nations like Kenya and Uganda, and then West African countries like Morocco, and then, most recently, we have seen posts targeting El Salvador.”

    As always, the spread and evolution of pig butchering is driven by how profitable it can be. Researchers say that another alarming trend involves people from around the world choosing to go work in scam centers or even being liberated from forced labor and returning to keep working voluntarily. As long as the money keeps coming in, pig butchering will keep spreading around the world.

    “Fraud is not being seen as a serious crime—not like drugs, not like terrorism,” Humanity Research Consultancy’s Chiang says. “Globally, we need to start shifting that idea, because it creates the same kind of damage, and maybe even more because the amount of money we’re talking about is so huge. We are racing against time.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Aiken man arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material* and related chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of William Daniel Mayes, 54, of Aiken, S.C. on seven charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, S.C. Probation, Parole, and Pardon, and Homeland Security Investigations, all also members of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation. 

     

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led them to Mayes. Investigators state Mayes recorded a person without their consent and possessed files of child sexual abuse material.  

     

    Mayes was arrested on October 29, 2024. He is charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree (§16-15-410), a felony offense punishable by up to ten years imprisonment on each count; and two counts of voyeurism (§16-17-470(B)), a misdemeanor offense punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment for a first offense on each count.

     

    The case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

     

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

     

     

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Anderson man arrested on 10 Child Sexual Abuse Material* chargesRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Christopher Lee Hagood, 45, of Anderson, S.C., on 10 charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General’s Office, also a member of the state’s ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

    Investigators received a CyberTipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) which led them to Hagood. Investigators state Hagood distributed files of child sexual abuse material.  

    Hagood was arrested on October 22, 2024. He is charged with 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree (§16-15-405), a felony offense punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment on each count.

    This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office.

    Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

    * Child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, is a more accurate reflection of the material involved in these heinous and abusive crimes. “Pornography” can imply the child was a consenting participant.  Globally, the term child pornography is being replaced by CSAM for this reason

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Materials for the Government meeting on October 31, 2024

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The following issues are planned to be considered at the meeting:

    1. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727320-8 “On the federal budget for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying the provisions of the draft federal law adopted by the State Duma in the first reading.

    2. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 2 of the Federal Law “On Assistance to the Development and Improvement of Management Efficiency in the Housing Sector and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”

    The adoption of the bill will contribute to achieving the goals of the state program of the Russian Federation “Provision of affordable and comfortable housing and utilities to citizens of the Russian Federation”, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 30, 2017 No. 1710.

    3. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 340 and 342 of Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at eliminating ambiguous interpretations of the current legislation on taxes and fees.

    4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (in terms of bringing the provisions of certain federal laws into line with the provisions of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation)

    The bill is aimed at bringing legislative acts regulating the specifics of the civil-legal status of non-profit organizations of certain organizational-legal forms, types and kinds, as well as the special procedure for their state registration, into line with the provisions of the Civil Code.

    5. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses”

    The bill was prepared in order to secure the legal basis for the use of modern information technologies in proceedings on administrative offences.

    6. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On the Implementation of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses” (in terms of the use of electronic documents and regulation of remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses)

    The bill was prepared with the aim of empowering individual government agencies to adopt regulatory legal acts governing the procedure for electronic document management and remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses.

    7. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation” (in terms of providing guarantees to employees undergoing military service in connection with a special military operation, during the period of suspension of the employment contract, regardless of the term of the contract)

    The bill is aimed at protecting the labor rights of workers.

    8. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727321-8 “On the budget of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying certain provisions of the draft federal law in terms of the areas of expenditure carried out by the Social Fund of Russia and the names of budget classification codes.

    Moscow, October 30, 2024

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Government meeting (2024, No. 32)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    1. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727320-8 “On the federal budget for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying the provisions of the draft federal law adopted by the State Duma in the first reading.

    2. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 2 of the Federal Law “On Assistance to the Development and Improvement of Management Efficiency in the Housing Sector and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation”

    The adoption of the bill will contribute to achieving the goals of the state program of the Russian Federation “Provision of affordable and comfortable housing and utilities to citizens of the Russian Federation”, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 30, 2017 No. 1710.

    3. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 340 and 342 of Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at eliminating ambiguous interpretations of the current legislation on taxes and fees.

    4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” (in terms of bringing the provisions of certain federal laws into line with the provisions of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation)

    The bill is aimed at bringing legislative acts regulating the specifics of the civil-legal status of non-profit organizations of certain organizational-legal forms, types and kinds, as well as the special procedure for their state registration, into line with the provisions of the Civil Code.

    5. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses”

    The bill was prepared in order to secure the legal basis for the use of modern information technologies in proceedings on administrative offences.

    6. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Federal Law “On the Implementation of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses” (in terms of the use of electronic documents and regulation of remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses)

    The bill was prepared with the aim of empowering individual government agencies to adopt regulatory legal acts governing the procedure for electronic document management and remote participation in proceedings on administrative offenses.

    7. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation” (in terms of providing guarantees to employees undergoing military service in connection with a special military operation, during the period of suspension of the employment contract, regardless of the term of the contract)

    The bill is aimed at protecting the labor rights of workers.

    8. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 727321-8 “On the budget of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027”

    The draft amendments are aimed at clarifying certain provisions of the draft federal law in terms of the areas of expenditure carried out by the Social Fund of Russia and the names of budget classification codes.

    Moscow, October 30, 2024

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Bean Named 2024 Hero of Main Street

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—The National Retail Federation (NRF) recently presented U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) with the Hero of Main Street Award. Congressman Bean earned this honor for his tireless work during the 118th Congress to prioritize small businesses and empower a vibrant retail industry. 

    In Florida, retail directly supports more than 2.3 million local jobs and contributes more than $357.4 billion in economic activity.

    “As a former small business owner, I know firsthand the burdens small businesses face. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I’m committed to restoring optimism and advancing solutions to make it easier for owners to invest, hire, and watch their enterprises grow.”

    BACKGROUND

    Congressman Bean has introduced and supported the following pieces of legislation on behalf of the Fourth District’s small businesses and retail sector:

    • Passed H.R. 4666, We Want Our Money Back Act: Requires the Inspector General of the SBA to report to Congress with quarterly updates on the ongoing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) fraud investigations.
       
    • Introduced H.R. 9033, the Let American Businesses Be on Record (LABOR) Act: Requires the Department of Labor (DOL) to hold panels with small business owners, as part of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA), which will be impacted during the rulemaking process so that changes can be made before the rule is finalized.
       
    • Introduced H.R. 2744, the Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2023: Increases opportunities for private industries to provide goods and services without the threat of taxpayer-funded government competition. This bill puts American businesses first and saves taxpayer dollars from duplicative and wasteful spending.
       
    • Introduced H.R.7984, the Rural Small Business Resilience Act: Would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve access to disaster assistance and relief programs for rural business owners to efficiently mitigate effects of natural disasters.
       
    • Cosponsored H.R. 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act: Permanently extends tax deductions for small and family-owned businesses, giving them greater flexibility to invest in new employers, expansion, or their communities.
       
    • Cosponsored H.R. 895, the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act: Would deter future attacks on U.S. retailers by enhancing federal coordination, establishing an aligned multi-agency response, and creating new tools to tackle evolving trends in organized retail theft. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ship Management Company Fined $1.75M for Failing to Maintain an Accurate Oil Record Book that Concealed Unauthorized Discharges at Sea

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Gremex Shipping S.A. de C.V., a Mexican corporation that managed several ships, including the M/V Suhar, pleaded guilty and was sentenced today in federal district court in Pensacola, Florida, for creating and providing false records to the U.S. Coast Guard to conceal its illegal discharge of oily bilge waste into the ocean, which is a felony violation of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships (APPS).

    The charge stems from a Coast Guard investigation of the ship once it arrived in Pensacola on Aug. 25, 2023. The Suhar is a 7,602 gross ton Panamanian-flagged ocean-going bulk carrier that routinely hauled cement from Tampico, Mexico, to Pensacola. Since March 2021, day-to-day operation of the ship was undertaken by Gremex, which was responsible for hiring all crew, and ensuring compliance with all policies on protection of the environment in accordance with international regulations. After boarding the ship to determine compliance with all applicable laws, Coast Guard personnel determined that the vessel’s crew had regularly discharged untreated oily bilge water into sea in a manner that bypassed onboard pollution control equipment, and then falsified the ship’s oil record book to conceal these discharges.

    As part of normal vessel operations, large ocean-going ships like the Suhar generate oily bilge water that periodically needs to be discharged for the vessel to operate safely. The United States and Panama are both parties to an international treaty known as MARPOL, which regulates and limits the at-sea discharge of oily bilge water. To satisfy these marine pollution requirements, vessels typically discharge oily bilge water after it has been processed through an oily water separator, a piece of onboard pollution control equipment which removes oil from bilge water prior to discharge. Ships are required to maintain an oil record book that documents all discharges of oily bilge water so authorities can monitor ships for compliance with these international requirements. Federal law requires that foreign ships arriving at U.S. ports maintain an accurate oil record book.

    Consistent with a sentencing recommendation jointly proposed by the government and Gremex, the court sentenced the company to pay a $1.75 million fine, serve a four-year term of probation and commit to developing and implementing an environmental compliance plan that will be in effect during the time the company is on probation.

    Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Environment and Natural Resources Division and U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody for the Northern District of Florida made the announcement.

    The Coast Guard’s Investigative Service investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Joel La Bissonniere of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Love for the Northern District of Florida prosecuted the case. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cardin, Van Hollen, Hoyer, Ruppersberger Announce Over $7.5 Million for Carroll County Regional, Tipton, and Martin State Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maryland Ben Cardin

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Dutch Ruppersberger (all D-Md.), today announced $7,556,842 in U.S. Department of Transportation awards to Carroll County Regional, Tipton and Martin State Airports for necessary upgrades to modernize their facilities and improve passenger comfort. 

    “The landmark infrastructure law enacted by President Biden in 2021 continues to invest in Maryland,” said Senator Cardin.  “It recognized that our airports, both large and small, have aging and outdated facilities that require upgrades to meet the changing demands on our aviation system and keep it safe and competitive.”

    “Our local airports are important transportation hubs that support our state’s economy, ensuring that travelers and goods get where they need to go. We fought for these investments to support the Carroll County Regional, Tipton, and Martin State airports in serving the growing needs of Maryland’s businesses, residents, and visitors,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “President Biden and Vice President Harris’ Investing in America agenda continues to deliver for Maryland’s airports and boost our economic competitiveness,” said Congressman Hoyer. “As Chair of the Regional Leadership Council, I have worked with House Democrats and top officials in the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure that every community in America can see and feel the impact of the historic laws that Democrats passed in the 117th Congress. I was pleased to work with Team Maryland to secure these Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds for Carroll County Regional Airport, Martin State Airport, and Tipton Airport, which will create good jobs and provide a more reliable air travel experience. Together, we will continue to lower costs, create jobs, and ensure our state’s economy works for all Marylanders.”

    “The bipartisan infrastructure law continues to reap rewards for Maryland and Marylanders including this funding for local airports, which provide a critical connection to communities and economies throughout the region,” said Congressman Ruppersberger. “This is a strategic investment that will make our airports safer, more comfortable and convenient. I look forward to even more upgrades to our nation’s aging transportation infrastructure to come.”

    The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program and Airport Terminal Program.

    The federal grants have been awarded as follows:

    1. $3,612,000. Carroll County Regional Airport: To remove a building and relocate fencing identified as obstructions by the FAA.
    2. $2,944,842, Tipton Airport: To construct a 6,000 square-foot terminal to accommodate the movement of passengers and baggage.
    3. $1,000,000, Martin State Airport: To fund the funds the construction of a new Airport Traffic Control Tower, replacing the 82-year-old sponsor-owned tower that has reached the end of its useful life.

    The Airport Improvement Program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects across the country, including repairs and upgrades to runways, taxiways, airport signage, lighting and markings – all while creating thousands of good-paying, local jobs. The members have consistently fought to provide funds for airports and terminal operators, including through the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process, which makes $3.35 billion available from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and an additional $532 million from the general fund for AIP projects.

    The Airport Terminal Program was created in 2021 through the lawmakers’ efforts to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Funded at $1 billion in fiscal year 2024, the Airport Terminal Program supports safe, sustainable, and accessible airport terminals, on-airport rail access projects, and airport-owned airport traffic control towers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Five Men Arrested for Conspiring to Distribute Over 150 Kilograms of Cocaine

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MIAMI – On Oct. 29, five men, Carlos Manuel Velazquez Gomez, 43, David Martinez, 53, Juan Antonio Rivera Velasquez, 45, Onasis Lisandro Garcia, 49, and Richard John Sydney-Smith, 62, had their initial appearances on their respective federal criminal complaints which charge the defendants with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute over 150 kilograms of cocaine.

    On Oct. 27, Sydney-Smith and Garcia were traveling on a boat 2 miles east of Port Everglades, when they were intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard and found to be transporting over 150 kilograms of cocaine. The investigation further yielded the arrests of Rivera Velasquez, Velazquez Gomez, and Martinez on Oct. 28, who were waiting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. for the cocaine delivery.

    Pre-trial detention hearings have been scheduled in these matters for Nov. 1 and Nov. 4.

    U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Markenzy Lapointe and Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami, made the announcement.

    HSI Miami investigated this case with invaluable assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Air and Marine Units. Assistant U.S. Attorney Latoya C. Brown is prosecuting it. 

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

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 24-mj-6500, 24-mj-6501, 24-mj-6502, 24-mj-6504, and 24-mj-6505.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bank Robber Sentenced to Three-and-a-Half Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PHOENIX, Ariz. – Justin Eric Lindsay, 29, of Phoenix, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge David G. Campbell to 42 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. On June 27, 2024, Lindsay pleaded guilty to two counts of Bank Robbery.

    Between August 2023 and January 2024, Lindsay robbed six banks before he was arrested by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During two of the robberies, Lindsay falsely claimed he had a firearm.

    This case was 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of Tempe Police Department, Mesa Police Department, and Task Force Officers from the Peoria Police Department and the Phoenix Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
     

    CASE NUMBER:                   CR-24-00147-PHX-DGC
    RELEASE NUMBER:           2024-148_Lindsay

    # # #

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

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Manchester, NH Man Sentenced to 3 Years for Wire Fraud, Identity Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Dominic Barbosa stole mail from across New England and used identities to open accounts

    PORTLAND, Maine:  A Manchester, New Hampshire man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

    U.S. District Judge Nancy Torresen sentenced Dominic Barbosa (aka Christopher Barnhart), 29, to 12 months imprisonment on the wire fraud charge and 24 months on the aggravated identity theft charge, to be served consecutively, followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $51,804.40 in restitution. Barbosa pleaded guilty on May 13, 2024.

    According to court records, from at least March 2019 through March 2022, Barbosa obtained the identifications of individuals without their knowledge or consent. Barbosa stole mail in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, including bank account statements, tax returns, and other documents containing others’ means of identification. He kept records of that information to use in the scheme. As part of the scheme, Barbosa would apply for duplicate licenses for others, often changing the address, and then use the stolen identification information and duplicate driver’s licenses to open bank accounts, credit card accounts and lines of credit in others’ names. He also used the stolen identifications to make purchases or enter into contracts. When questioned by a U.S. Postal Inspector, Barbosa stated he had a cloud database with stolen identities, and investigators in Massachusetts found bins of mail and photocopies of identifying information in a storage unit Barbosa rented. 

    The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, South Berwick Police Department, Litchfield Police Department (NH), North Reading Police Department (MA), Salem Police Department (NH), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Waterville Woman Pleads Guilty to Directing Another to Illegally Purchase a Firearm for Her

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Nikeshia Knight paid for the purchase made and provided the straw purchaser with fentanyl after the sale

    BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to aiding and abetting another individual in making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

    According to court records, after a Glock pistol was recovered following a July 2022 arrest in Salem, Massachusetts, an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) revealed the firearm had been purchased at a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in Fairfield, Maine the prior month. ATF contacted the dealer who provided a copy of the ATF Form 4473 associated with the purchase. The FFL also provided ATF with a 4473 associated with another firearm purchase on June 16, 2022. Further investigation revealed that a second individual, Nikeshia Knight, 25, was involved in this purchase. When interviewed, Knight admitted that she had used a straw purchaser to acquire the firearm because she would not pass a background check, providing the individual with money for the purchase and with fentanyl after it was successfully made. Text messages between Knight and the proxy purchaser confirmed that Knight directed the purchase. 

    Knight faces a maximum of five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine to be followed by up to three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The ATF investigated the case.

    STRAW PURCHASING: A straw purchase is an illegal firearm purchase where the actual buyer of the gun, being unable to pass the required federal background check or desiring to not have his or her name associated with the transaction, uses a proxy buyer who can pass the required background check to purchase the firearm for him/her.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Officer Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More than $30,000 from DC Department of Corrections Union

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

               WASHINGTON – Andra Parker, 65, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from a D.C. Department of Corrections Labor Union.

               The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge David Geist of the Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division, and Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer of the National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG).

               Parker, a former D.C. Corrections officer, served as Chairman of the Labor Committee, an organization that represents all members of the D.C. Department of Corrections, from June 2018 through approximately April 2019. As Chairman, Parker had full access to the Labor Committee’s bank accounts to carry out his official duties and was issued a debit card.

               As part of his guilty plea, Parker admitted that he misappropriated more than $30,000 of union funds to pay for unofficial travel, lodging, and entertainment for him and his friends. For example, he spent more than $7,000 on a trip to New York city for his friends and him, including $4,000 on rooms and expenses at a Times Square hotel, more than $370 on tickets to a New York Knicks game, and an additional $616 on tickets to Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. He also spent more than $2,000 in union funds to purchase four tickets to a Diana Ross concert in North Bethesda, Maryland.

               The Honorable Rudolph Contreras, who accepted Parker’s guilty plea, scheduled sentencing for March 6, 2025. 

               This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the DOL-OIG. Assistance was also provided by the DOL – Office of Labor-Management Standards.

               This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Gold and Kondi Kleinman of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Sonalika Chaturvedi.

    23cr0186

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Independence Man Sentenced for Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today after being identified in two separate federal investigations sharing videos and images of child pornography online.

    Joseph L. Schutz, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 13 years and four months in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Schutz to 10 years of supervised release following incarceration. Schutz will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.

    On Oct. 24, 2023, Schutz pleaded guilty to one count of distributing child pornography over the internet and one count of possessing child pornography.

    An FBI task force officer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, posing undercover as an adult female, was conducting an investigation utilizing the Kik Messenger application in May 2020. The undercover officer joined multiple private groups dedicated to individuals interested in child pornography and whose members openly shared such material within the group. Schutz admitted that he received multiple videos and images of child pornography within one of these Kik groups, and also shared multiple videos and images of child pornography within the group.

    On May 14, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Schutz’s residence. Investigators found 18 images of child erotica and eight images of child pornography on Schutz’s cell phone.

    In July and August 2022, an FBI investigator in Texas communicated online with Schutz while conducting an undercover investigation. The undercover investigator posed as a 13-year-old female. Between July 28 and Aug. 1, 2022, Schutz invited the undercover investigator into a Kik group dedicated to the exchange of child pornography. During that time, Schutz admitted, he shared multiple videos of child pornography within the group.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Luna. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.

    Project Safe Childhood

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

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

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that on October 19, 2024,  AVERY JULIEN (“JULIEN”), age 28, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).  JULIEN faces up to 15 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.

    According to court records, on September 14, 2022, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and New Orleans Police Department officers executed a search warrant at JULIEN’s New Orleans residence after learning that JULIEN may have committed a carjacking in Jefferson Parish.  During the search of his residence, two firearms, a Sig Sauer Model P229, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Sig Sauer Model P250, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, were located in JULIEN’s bedroom.

    Federal law prohibits convicted felons, such as JULIEN, from possessing firearms.  In 2018, JULIEN was convicted of felonies in two separate cases in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.  JULIEN knew he had been convicted of these felonies at the time that he possessed the ammunition.  United States District Judge, Brandon S. Long, will sentence JULIENon February 4, 2025. 

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

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Public Integrity Unit.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Man Sentenced to Prison for Insider Trading Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and 320 hours of community service for an insider trading conspiracy involving nonpublic negotiations for the acquisition of a medical device company valued at $1.6 billion, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to evidence presented at trial, beginning in January 2018 through at least August 2020, Doron “Ron” Tavlin, 69, of Minneapolis, and Afshin “Alex” Farahan, 58, of Los Angeles, engaged in an insider trading conspiracy. The conspiracy involved nonpublic information about the acquisition of Mazor Robotics, an Israeli-based company that specialized in robotics for spinal procedures, by Medtronic, Inc., an Ireland-based medical device company that primarily operated from its executive headquarters in Minneapolis. Tavlin, while working as vice president of business development at Mazor Robotics, learned material, nonpublic information about Medtronic’s impending acquisition of his company. In violation of federal law and his duty to his former employer, Mazor Robotics, Tavlin tipped this information about the acquisition to his friend, Farahan, and instructed him to buy shares in the company. Tavlin and Farahan knew that Medtronic’s imminent acquisition of Mazor would likely result in an increase in Mazor’s stock price. Farahan used the nonpublic information tipped by Tavlin to quickly buy more than $1 million of Mazor stock throughout August and September 2018. The morning after the secret acquisition was publicly announced, Farahan immediately sold all the stock he had purchased over the preceding weeks based on Tavlin’s illegal tip, which resulted in a profit of over $246,000. According to evidence presented at trial, after the acquisition occurred, Tavlin learned that the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) was investigating certain trades of Mazor securities that occurred prior to the publicly announced acquisition. As part of its inquiry, FINRA asked Tavlin, and other insiders who knew about the secret acquisition negotiations, whether he knew any of the parties who traded in Mazor securities leading up to the public announcement. In January 2019, Tavlin responded to FINRA’s inquiry by falsely denying that he recognized any names on a list of persons and entities that purchased Mazor securities, which included Farahan.

    According to evidence presented at trial, the insider trading conspiracy included an agreement between Tavlin and Farahan that Farahan would pay money to Tavlin in exchange for the material, nonpublic information.

    On February 16, 2024, Tavlin was found guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit insider trading and ten counts of securities fraud and aiding and abetting securities fraud following a nine-day trial. He was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court by Judge Donovan W. Frank.

    Farahan pleaded guilty on August 4, 2022, to one count of conspiracy to engage in insider trading. His sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Robert M. Lewis, and William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Defendant pleads guilty to throwing incendiary device, causing fire in local grocery store

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CINCINNATI – A local man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to damaging a Spring Grove Village grocery store with an incendiary device in the style of a Molotov cocktail.

    Donald Donatelli, 28, currently of Batavia, admitted to causing malicious damage and destruction of a building in interstate commerce. The plea agreement includes a recommended sentence of 66 months in prison.

    According to court documents, at approximately 10pm on Nov. 26, 2023, Donatelli threw the incendiary device into the store while the store’s owner and his wife were inside. The store was open at the time of the fire.

    Donatelli had traveled to the grocery store on Gwinnet Drive with a co-defendant. Donatelli approached the front glass doors of the grocery store and had a bottle of gasoline with a rag inside. He lit the rag and threw the bottle inside the front doors while the co-defendant filmed a Snapchat video of the crime.

    A federal grand jury indicted Donatelli and the co-defendant in April 2024. Charges remain pending against Angela Schweitzer, 35.

    Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. U.S. Attorney Parker and Special Agent in Charge McCormick acknowledged the assistance of the Cincinnati Fire Department, Cincinnati Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and Union Township Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Megan Gaffney Painter is representing the United States in this case.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Four members of Tidewater drug trafficking conspiracy and two who supplied firearms sentenced to prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NORFOLK, Va. – Four people have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine and other drugs in the Tidewater area.  Two others have been sentenced to prison for providing firearms to one of the members of the drug trafficking conspiracy.

    By the fall of 2021, Leonard Tromell Brooks, 41, of Virginia Beach, a previously convicted drug trafficker, was conspiring with Kyle Derek Dean, 33, and Katie Loren Harbor, 29, both of Norfolk, to traffic significant quantities of methamphetamine in the Tidewater area. By January 2022, Colin Thomas Costello, 35, of Virginia Beach, had joined the conspiracy.

    On March 15, 2022, Dean transported Harbor so she could sell 3.41 grams of meth to an individual in Virginia Beach. On April 20, 2022, Dean sold 2.78 grams of meth to another individual in Norfolk.

    On April 6, 2022, Costello sold 26.05 grams of meth, and on April 12, 2022, Costello sold 67.50 grams of meth. On April 22, 2022, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on Costello in Virginia Beach. Prior to coming to a stop, Costello tossed 58.83 grams of meth from the vehicle’s window.

    On April 20, 2022, and again on April 21, 2022, Brooks sold cocaine from a residence in Virginia Beach. Law enforcement learned that Brooks was expecting a shipment of meth from his Florida-based supplier to arrive in Virginia via train on April 22, 2022. They intercepted the courier and recovered five kilograms of 100% pure meth, commonly known as “ice” or “crystal” meth. On at least two previous occasions, Brooks ordered similar quantities of crystal meth for further distribution by Dean, Harbor, and Costello.

    On April 22, 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants at residences affiliated with all four conspirators. From Brooks’ residence, investigators recovered 219 grams of cocaine, 7.9 ounces of marijuana, $26,388 in drug-trafficking proceeds, a .45 caliber handgun, and ammunition. From Dean and Harbor’s residence investigators recovered 3.07 grams of meth, a ledger showing amounts of money owed to Dean and Harbor, digital scales, and packaging materials, as well as another 4.12 grams of meth found on Dean’s person. From Costello’s residence investigators recovered 405 grams of meth, quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, packaging materials, scales, and 14 firearms.

    As a previously convicted felon, Costello could not legally possess firearms. Jonathan Morrell Scott, 37, of Virginia Beach, straw purchased four firearms for Costello prior to April 22, 2022. On July 26, 2023, Scott pled guilty to making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. On Dec. 12, 2023, Scott was sentenced to four months in prison.

    Costello’s girlfriend, Amber Dawn Hendricks, 40, of Virginia Beach, purchased four firearms in the two months preceding the search, including two purchased just two days before the search, despite being a user of and addicted to meth. She kept those firearms in the residence she shared with Costello. Despite being prohibited from possessing firearms, she and Costello kept a total of 11 firearms in their bedroom at the residence. On May 7, 2024, Hendricks was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. On Oct. 2, 2024, Hendricks was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

    On Jan. 26, 2023, Costello pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; manufacture, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance; and possessing, using, and carrying firearms in furtherance of and during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. Costello was sentenced today to 20 years in prison.

    On Jan. 24, 2023, Dean pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. On June 15, 2023, Dean was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

    On Jan. 12, 2023, Harbor pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. On June 1, 2023, Harbor was sentenced to nine years in prison.

    On Jan. 10, 2023, Brooks pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; manufacture, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance; and possessing, using, and carrying firearms in furtherance of and during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime. On May 12, 2023, Brooks was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

    Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jarod Forget, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Washington Division; James VanVliet, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; Derek W. Gordon, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C.; Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Mark Talbot, Chief of Norfolk Police; Paul Neudigate, Chief of Virginia Beach Police; and Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin G. Bird and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle, an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney with the Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, prosecuted the case.

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

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:22-cr-126 (Brooks, Dean, Harbor, and Costello), 2:23-cr-48 (Hendricks), and 2:23-cr-51 (Scott).

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