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  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Immigrants Who Murder Innocent Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn and several of their colleagues to introduce the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty. Earlier today, Sen. Tuberville joined Sen. Cornyn, Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) for a press conference about the bill.

    “Over the past four years, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris welcomed more than 10 million illegal immigrants into this country with open arms,” said Sen. Tuberville. “As a direct result, innocent Americans like Laken Riley and Rachel Morin have lost their lives. It’s simple: if you’re in this country illegally and you murder an American citizen, you should face the death penalty. President Trump has essentially stopped the crisis at our southern border. Republicans in Congress must do our part to ensure no more American blood is shed at the hands of criminals who shouldn’t be here in the first place.”
    “Violent predators who enter our country illegally and brutally murder American citizens should be subject to the death penalty as a consequence of their heinous actions,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By enshrining President Trump’s Executive Order into law, this legislation would protect the American people, make our country safe again, and ensure no future President can singlehandedly undo this consequence for taking innocent lives.”
    Joining Senators Tuberville and Cornyn in cosponsoring the bill are Senators Jim Banks (R-IN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Justice (R-WV), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Thom Tillis (R-NC).
    Watch the full press conference here or Sen. Tuberville’s remarks here.
    BACKGROUND:
    Under the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policy and failure to enforce the law, millions of illegal immigrants flooded into the United States, creating the worst immigration crisis in history. After entering the U.S., many illegal immigrants subsequently committed crimes, including violent felonies and murder. For example:
    August 5, 2023 – An illegal immigrant from El Salvador attacked, raped, and murdered 37-year old Rachel Morin, a mother of five, in Bel Air, Maryland. The perpetrator had previously attacked a 9-year old girl and her mother in Los Angeles. 
    December 4, 2023 – An illegal immigrant from Mexico stabbed 16-year old Lizbeth Medina to death and left her body in a bath tub in Edna, Texas.
    February 22, 2024 – An illegal immigrant from Venezuela murdered 22-year old Laken Riley as she went for a run in Athens, Georgia. 
    March 22, 2024 – An illegal immigrant from Mexico shot and killed 25-year old Ruby Garcia while in her car, then left her body on the side of a highway in Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
    June 17, 2024 – Two illegal immigrants from Venezuela kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and strangled 12-year old Jocelyn Nungaray to death in Houston, Texas.
    January 26, 2025 – Two illegal immigrants, one from Ecuador and the other from Venezuela, bound, gagged, and beat 63-year old George Levin to death in Chicago, Illinois. 
    March 12, 2025 – An illegal immigrant from Honduras choked 52-year old Camillia Williams, a mother of five and grandmother, to death, then dumped her body in the woods in Marietta, Georgia. 
    As President Trump highlighted, since America’s founding, capital punishment has been an essential tool for deterring and punishing murder. When illegal immigrants come into the United States and murder law-abiding American citizens, they should face the death penalty. The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would ensure that this deterrent is applied to predators illegally crossing our border and committing violent crimes here.
    The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would:
    Amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for illegal immigrants who murder U.S. citizens
    Help direct juries to administer the death penalty when an illegal immigrant murders a U.S. citizen
    Fully implement and permanently codify President Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety,” specifically Section 3(b)(i) of the Executive Order, which states that the “Attorney General shall, where consistent with applicable law, pursue Federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving … [a] capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Trump Defense Nominees on Supporting Small Businesses and Service Academy Oversight

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Sean O’Keefe, President Trump’s nominee to be Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, and Michael Obadal, President Trump’s nominee to be Under Secretary of the Army during their Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) nomination hearing. During the hearing, they spoke about how the Army can integrate and support small defense businesses and different ways to improve the United States’ military service academies.
    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    ON RCCTO AT REDSTONE ARSENAL:
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you for your service, first of all. […] One of our new defense contractors, obviously, has taken a novel approach to supporting the warfighter. You know, newer companies like this have become successful, partly because newer defense contract and authorities and organizations such as the RCCTO, which is headquartered in Redstone Arsenal in my state of Alabama, you know, we’re making progress. 
    So, how can the Army continue to improve our acquisition systems based on the lessons learned from the RCCTO?”
    OBADAL: “Senator, thank you for the question as this is a critical part of Army transformation. And I believe that the RCCTO really showed us that we can rapidly understand the problem, innovate solutions with industry, and then field them rapidly in a number of different ways. My experience in commercial industry, and specifically in the defense technology industry, gave me a wide exposure to a number of different companies dealing with the acquisition corps. And having been on both sides of the table and having overseen acquisitions in my government service, I came to the conclusion that the Army needs to be a better customer. And we need to do that through streamlining our requirements through predictability of requirements and not changing them and moving the goalpost on the defense industry. 
    With that said, we always have to have agile requirements, which requires modularity, both software and hardware. So, if confirmed, when I look at the entire acquisition corps, I believe the people—we have fantastic people—in our acquisition corps who have given us the world’s strongest Army. It is our processes that we have to fix. So, if confirmed Senator, I would work diligently on that.”
    ON SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES IN DEFENSE:
    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Thank you. As Senator Ernst said earlier, last week, the Army announced the ATI initiative [is] headed in a different direction in some areas. I understand that being an old football coach—you can’t keep doing the same thing over and over, you gotta change along with your adversary, and obviously we need to do that. You know, part of this change last week, canceling multiple programs, you know, one of these contracts, the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System, was won by a small family business in Alabama, my home state, named Griffin Aerospace. On Friday, they were notified that the thousands of man hours and millions of dollars that they had spent and invested in good faith were basically wasted. It’s hard to understand that from their perspective. I’d like to suggest to you that the Army restore faith with this type of businesses because we need these smaller businesses. That is not Lockheed [Martin], this is not Boeing—who could really absorb this. This is gonna devastate this country. And at the end of the day, they need more than an, ‘oops.’ You know, we wanna change here. Do you agree with that?”
    OBADAL: “Senator, I wholeheartedly agree that the Army needs to take care of small business[es] as best it can. And I believe there are a number of different ways that we can do that because small business[es], in my experience, is where most of the innovation comes from. And obviously large companies, like you mentioned, build us exquisite weapon systems and we need them, but we have to make sure that we’re cultivating a robust small and medium sized business ecosystem.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Thank you. And, you know, in my state, in Huntsville, we have probably 600-800 small defense contractors. We can’t lose them. You know, they get bought out obviously regularly, but we need to make sure that, you know, for future innovation, they’re as important as anybody. So, thank you for that.
    ON MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY OVERSIGHT:
    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. O’Keefe, in my role as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Personnel, we held our first hearing, as you well know, with our [superintendents] of our [service] academies in 30 years. [The] first one in 30 years. […] One of the things we illuminated during that hearing is that permanent military professors at the academies require Senate confirmation—which is very understandable—while civilian-tenured faculty are not [Senate confirmed], making them as far as I can tell, the only lifetime government employee [that] is not subject to advice and consent. How do you feel about that?”
    O’KEEFE: “Senator, it’s an interesting dynamic when the permanent professors were set up decades ago, the majority of the faculty was all military at the service academies. I suppose the concern anytime you’re discussing whether to make more civilian positions Senate confirmed is perhaps extended vacancies. I do think that there’s some room to evaluate the administrative faculty authority. You know, they have a slightly nuanced statutory scheme that applies to civilian faculty. They didn’t always have tenure for instance. So, I think that is something that should be evaluated, which I think could improve the […] effectiveness of the workforce, of the faculty mix there. Without perhaps causing some of the vacancies that I think might result with Senate confirmation. But I do think that’s an area to take a look at. I know the Secretary has mentioned that that’s something he wants to take a look at as well.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, and when confirmed, I have some suggestions [for what superintendents can] do about transforming, you know, our military academies to make them better. We don’t wanna do something just to do it, but we need to make them better and grow with the times. And so, [I] look forward to visiting with you on that and working with you.”
    O’KEEFE: “Absolutely, Senator.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to the India New Zealand Business Council

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Good morning. Namaskar. 

    • The Chair and General Manager of the India New Zealand Business Council
    • Prime Minister Luxon and Minister of State Margherita
    • Indian High Commissioner Bhushan
    • Distinguished Guests
    • Ladies and Gentlemen

    It’s a privilege to be with you today to offer some very brief reflections on the India-New Zealand relationship. 

    These reflections follow detailed speeches by Prime Minister Luxon and Minister of State Margherita. So, we won’t seek to repeat what you have already heard. Rather, we will make just three fundamental and summarising observations.

    Observation one: New Zealand wants closer, stronger relations with India. 

    New Zealand’s Coalition Government has made clear over the past 18 months, through our actions and policies, that we intend to seriously lift our relations with India.

    As Foreign Minister, we have spent much of this Parliamentary term travelling around the world advancing New Zealand’s interests. But our very first visit outside Australia and the Pacific since returning as Foreign Minister was to India.

    This selection of Gujarat and New Delhi as early visit destinations was very deliberate. Our government wanted to send an unambiguous signal to the people and Government of India that New Zealand wishes for our countries to draw ever closer – united by shared interests and a mutual desire to build deeper, mutually beneficial cooperation.

    India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, is one of the world’s most impressive and astute statesmen. We have been pleased to work closely with him on this project of drawing our countries closer together. 

    And we are looking forward to meeting this afternoon with Minister of State Margherita, to discuss our building bilateral relationship. 

    This meeting will also provide an opportunity for us to exchange views on the heinous terrorist attack in Kashmir last month, developments between India and Pakistan in the last few days, and New Zealand’s wish to help support a seriously rapid de-escalation of the situation. 

    Observation two: India’s rise over the past generation has been seriously impressive. 

    There are few countries in the world that have been so dramatically transformed over the past 35 years as has India. 

    We have seen hundreds of millions of Indians lifted out of poverty; huge improvements in education, health and life expectancy; and a breathtaking economic expansion. 

    And all of this has been achieved while maintaining India’s proud democratic tradition of settling the inevitable differences that emerge in a country of such immense scale and diversity at the ballot box.

    When in Delhi last year, we visited the new Indian Parliament – whose carpets feature New Zealand wool – and got a first-hand sense of the scale and magnificence of Indian democracy. 

    India’s rise has been a force for good in our region and for our world. 

    Observation three: New Zealand wants a broad-based relationship with India, as the Prime Minister said. 

    We want to draw closer with India not in one domain, but in many domains. 

    New Zealand and India are two of the world’s great, long-standing democracies – and we have a shared objective of an open, free, democratic and peaceful Indo-Pacific region. To achieve that, we need to be cooperating in as many areas as possible. 

    We need to be working across the Indo-Pacific, including with Pacific Island countries.

    We need to be helping to manage our increasingly contested and disordered strategic environment via more regular, intensive high-level dialogue. 

    We need to be addressing shared security and defence challenges, by embedding deeper engagement in these areas. 

    And the Prime Minister is right.  We will be seriously boosting our diplomatic presence in India. We should have done so 40 years ago. 

    We need to be pursuing shared trade and economic opportunities, including in tourism and education. 

    And we need to be making the most of our intensifying people, sporting and cultural connections. 

    This audience will know well that, through the painstaking work of the governments, peoples and indeed businesses of India and New Zealand, a great foundation has been laid over the past 18 months. 

    There is so much potential in the relationship between New Zealand and India. Given the serious progress our two countries have made in the last 18 months, now is the time to work to realise that potential. 

    Thank you, and best of luck for the remaining conversations at this event today. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Favona

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Emergency services are in attendance at a serious crash between a truck and car in Favona this morning.

    The crash, at the intersection of Harania Avenue and Favona Road, was reported to Police at about 10.20am.

    Early indications suggest one person has been seriously injured.

    Diversions are in place and motorists are being advised to expect delays.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Subject Illegal Immigrants Who Kill Americans to Death Penalty

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jim Banks (R-IN), Jim Justice (R-WV), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) today introduced the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty:
    “Violent predators who enter our country illegally and brutally murder American citizens should be subject to the death penalty as a consequence of their heinous actions,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By enshrining President Trump’s Executive Order into law, this legislation would protect the American people, make our country safe again, and ensure no future President can singlehandedly undo this consequence for taking innocent lives.”
    “This legislation sends a strong message across the globe: we will not tolerate the senseless murder of innocent Americans at the hands of illegal immigrants any longer,” said Sen. Daines. “I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn to take decisive action and support President Trump’s efforts to make our communities safe again.”
    “When criminal illegal aliens murder American citizens, they should receive the harshest penalties,” said Sen. Ricketts. “After four years of Biden’s open border policies, measures must be taken to secure our communities. This bill will deter criminals and punish illegal aliens who callously take American lives.”
    “Over the past four years, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris welcomed more than 10 million illegal immigrants into this country with open arms,” said Sen. Tuberville. “As a direct result, innocent Americans like Laken Riley and Rachel Morin have lost their lives. It’s simple: if you’re in this country illegally and you murder an American citizen, you should face the death penalty. President Trump has essentially stopped the crisis at our southern border. Republicans in Congress must do our part to ensure no more American blood is shed at the hands of criminals who shouldn’t be here in the first place.”
    “Illegal immigrants who murder American citizens deserve the death penalty,” said Sen. Banks. “I fully support codifying President Trump’s executive order to ensure these monsters face justice.”
    “Under the Biden administration’s open-border agenda, illegal immigration surged—and with it, a horrifying rise in violent crimes committed by those who should never have been here in the first place,” said Sen. Tim Scott. “This legislation will help restore the rule of law, protect our communities, and ensure that no more families suffer the kind of unimaginable loss that so many already have.  We owe it to the victims and their families to hold these criminals fully accountable.”
    “If you come into this country illegally and murder an American citizen, you should absolutely face the full force of the judicial system,” said Sen. Justice. “There is no gray area, no excuse, and zero tolerance for this kind of evil. I am proud to support this bill because it puts American lives first and ensures the most brutal crimes committed by illegal aliens are met with the strongest punishment under law.”
    Background:
    Under the Biden administration’s reckless open-border policy and failure to enforce the law, millions of illegal immigrants flooded into the United States, creating the worst immigration crisis in history. After entering the U.S., many illegal immigrants subsequently committed crimes, including violent felonies and murder. For example:
    August 5, 2023 – An illegal immigrant from El Salvador attacked, raped, and murdered 37-year old Rachel Morin, a mother of five, in Bel Air, Maryland. The perpetrator had previously attacked a 9-year old girl and her mother in Los Angeles.
    December 4, 2023 – An illegal immigrant from Mexico stabbed 16-year old Lizbeth Medina to death and left her body in a bath tub in Edna, Texas.
    February 22, 2024 – An illegal immigrant from Venezuela murdered 22-year old Laken Riley as she went for a run in Athens, Georgia.
    March 22, 2024 – An illegal immigrant from Mexico shot and killed 25-year old Ruby Garcia while in her car, then left her body on the side of a highway in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
    June 17, 2024 – Two illegal immigrants from Venezuela kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and strangled 12-year old Jocelyn Nungaray to death in Houston, Texas.
    January 26, 2025 – Two illegal immigrants, one from Ecuador and the other from Venezuela, bound, gagged, and beat 63-year old George Levin to death in Chicago, Illinois.
    March 12, 2025 – An illegal immigrant from Honduras choked 52-year old Camillia Williams, a mother of five and grandmother, to death, then dumped her body in the woods in Marietta, Georgia.
    As President Trump highlighted, since America’s founding, capital punishment has been an essential tool for deterring and punishing murder. When illegal immigrants come into the United States and murder law-abiding American citizens, they should face the death penalty. The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would ensure that this deterrent is applied to predators illegally crossing our border and committing violent crimes here.
    The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act would:
    Amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for illegal immigrants who murder U.S. citizens;
    Help direct juries to administer the death penalty when an illegal immigrant murders a U.S. citizen;
    And fully implement and permanently codify President Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety,” specifically Section 3(b)(i) of the Executive Order, which states that the “Attorney General shall, where consistent with applicable law, pursue Federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving … [a] capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin, Kelly, Crapo, Cramer Introduce Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin, Kelly, Crapo, Cramer Introduce Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025

    Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to require proper contributions to the Universal Service Fund (USF) from edge providers and broadband providers. Requiring edge providers to cover associated costs for rural fiber networks will reduce the financial burden on consumers and rural providers while strengthening broadband connectivity throughout rural America.
    In Oklahoma, less than half of all rural residents have access to broadband Internet, a necessity most people across the country have enjoyed at a low cost for years. More than 30 percent of individuals living on Tribal land across the U.S. do not have access to high-speed internet. 
    “Fair contributions to the USF from edge providers are long overdue,” said Senator Mullin. “Video streaming services account for 75 percent of all traffic on rural broadband networks. However, unrecovered costs from streaming companies are often shifted and borne by small rural broadband providers. Available, affordable internet will close the digital divide and increase telehealth, educational, and employment opportunities for those who previously went without. Rural Oklahomans deserve the same connectivity as those living in urban areas.”
    “In an interconnected world, high-speed internet access is part of our daily lives – from scheduling a doctor’s appointment to keeping in touch with family,” said Senator Kelly. “This bipartisan bill will have big corporations contribute to the expansion of affordable high-speed internet in areas that desperately need it.” 
    “Chickasaw Telephone Company wishes to thank Senator Markwayne Mullin, Senator Mark Kelly, and Senator Mike Crapo for introducing the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025. This bill recognizes that the Universal Service Fund rules written in 1996 aren’t applicable today, nor was the funding mechanism that was adopted decades ago. This bill takes the funding burden off those who are the smallest users of the network and places it fairly and rationally on the largest financial beneficiaries of the network,” Larry Jones, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Chickasaw Holding Company.
    “We are pleased and encouraged by the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025.  Senators Mullin and Kelly are true leaders for consumers and rural areas. During times of economic struggle for many in America, this bill would lessen the burden on families when they pay for the internet.  This legislation would also help modernize how broadband network deployment and maintenance is supported and paid for in the future.  We thank the Senators for introducing this ground-breaking bill,” Mark Gailey, President and CEO of Totah Communications, Inc.
    “The Universal Service Fund is a vital tool for ensuring that all Americans have access to affordable broadband, which is why WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband supports the Lowering Costs for Broadband Consumers Act. This legislation would provide the FCC the authority it needs to ensure that all businesses that profit from the broadband network support the construction, maintenance, and upgrades of the network. It makes no sense to continue to rely on telephone customers alone. We thank the Senators for introducing this bipartisan bill and look forward to working with Congress and the FCC to modernize the USF contributions mechanism,” Derrick Owens, Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs, WTA.
    “NTCA applauds the introduction of the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act, which would promote more predictable and stable funding to preserve and advance the statutory mission of universal service. As traditional telecommunications revenues decline, the assessment on the remaining consumers of such services increases, resulting in a disproportionate burden on those consumers even though they are not the most significant users of services or beneficiaries of underlying networks. Common-sense reforms like those directed by this legislation will shore up the foundation of universal service funding, spread contribution obligations more equitably among all of those that use and benefit from broadband networks, and ultimately help the low-income and rural consumers and schools, libraries, and rural health care facilities that depend on critical universal service programs,” Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association.
    “The Universal Service Fund plays a crucial role in connecting millions in America, particularly in our rural areas. We appreciate Senators Mullin and Kelly for their leadership and urge Congress to make Universal Service Fund reform a top priority,” Brandon Heiner, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, USTelecom.
    Background – The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act would:
    Direct the FCC to reform the USF by expanding the base so that edge providers and broadband providers contribute on an equitable and nondiscriminatory basis to preserve and advance universal service.
    Limit assessments of edge providers to only those with more than 3% of the estimated quantity of broadband data transmitted in the United States and more than $5 billion in annual revenue. 
    Direct the FCC to adopt a new mechanism under the current USF high-cost program to provide specific, predictable, and sufficient support for expenses incurred by broadband providers that are not otherwise recovered.
    Limit the FCC’s authority over edge providers and broadband providers only to requiring contributions to the USF.
    Full text of the Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Two Honduran Men Sentenced to Prison for their Roles in International Human Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    Note: See superseding indictment here.

    Two Honduran men were sentenced today to three years in prison for their roles in a scheme to illegally smuggle Honduran nationals into the United States.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, for almost a year, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, both of Utila, Honduras, conspired with at least six others to bring Honduran nationals from Honduras to the United States via two vessels, the Masita III and the M/V Pop. The vessels sailed from Utila, Honduras to Louisiana. The aliens and/or their family members paid thousands of dollars to be brought illegally into the United States by boat. Upon arrival, the aliens were picked up by co-conspirators and driven further into the United States. The co-conspirators then placed some of the aliens in jobs at U.S. factories and other businesses knowing that the aliens lacked authorization to enter, remain, or work in the United States. The defendants were part of the vessels’ crew on multiple voyages.

    In February 2022, the defendants attempted to illegally bring 23 Honduran nationals from Utila, Honduras, to Cocodrie, Louisiana, aboard the M/V Pop, a 65’ sportfishing vessel. During the voyage, the M/V Pop developed engine trouble and lost power. The co-conspirators then chartered a boat to bring fuel to the disabled vessel so that it could complete its journey to the United States. Before the chartered boat reached the disabled vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the vessel approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana and towed it to shore. Inside the vessel, law enforcement officers also found 24 kilograms of cocaine.

    Cooper Zelaya and Jackson Hernandez were convicted after trial of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

    The lead defendant in the case, Carl Allison, previously pleaded guilty in December 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Three additional co-conspirators, all Honduran nationals, pleaded guilty last year for their roles in the scheme: Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 36, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Allison; and Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. A fifth man, Honduran national Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, was extradited from Honduras in April and is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Maldonado’s trial is scheduled for June 16. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Maldonado is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

    The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police, and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance.

    Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) in Honduras provided assistance.

    The sentencings are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and OPDAT, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial seizures and forfeitures of assets and contraband including millions of dollars in cash, real property, vehicles, firearms and ammunition, and drugs.

    This case is also supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to Prison For Federal Civil Rights Crime in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A former corrections officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Steven Nicholas Wimmer, 25, of Bluefield, was sentenced to nine years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    With his guilty plea, Wimmer acknowledged that he responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officers, including Wimmer, then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where officers struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Wimmer admitted that officers struck Q.B. in the interview room in order to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod. Wimmer further admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy who injured Q.B. inside the interview room while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed, and posed no threat.

    Wimmer and former Southern Regional Jail corrections officer Andrew Fleshman pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, 2023, to conspiring with other officers to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Fleshman, 22, of Shady Spring, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14. On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, former correctional officers Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Sentencing hearings for Holdren, Snyder, and Walters are scheduled for June 16. On Aug. 8, 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to violating Q.B.’s civil rights by failing to intervene when other officers used unreasonable force. Sentencing hearings for Boothe and Toney are scheduled for June 9.

    On January 27, a federal jury convicted defendant Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Lester is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.

    Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-134.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Tennessee Man Indicted on Arson and Explosive Charges for Setting Fire to Nonprofit Organization

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A federal grand jury in Knoxville, Tennessee returned an indictment on May 7, charging Regan Darby Prater, 27, with arson for firebombing the Highlander Center, a nonprofit research and education center in New Market, Tennessee; and with carrying an explosive device during the commission of the arson. Prater appeared in court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill E. McCook and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. He was held pending trial, which has been set for July 15 in United States District Court, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

    According to court documents, on March 29, 2019, Prater used an explosive to firebomb the Highlander Center’s administrative building, resulting in a fire that consumed the entire structure. Court documents also allege that Prater was inspired by the March 15, 2019, mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and left a symbol of the Iron Guard, a World War II-era Romanian Nazi organization, spraypainted in the Highlander Center’s parking lot. The same symbol appeared on the Christchurch gunman’s rifle as he livestreamed his attacks.

    If convicted, Prater faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison on the arson charge, and an additional ten years in prison on the explosive charge.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee; and Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Knoxville Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey T. Arrowood and Anne-Marie Svolto of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Kyle Boynton and Katherine McCallister of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Questions Treasury Secretary Bessent at Financial Services Hearing

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

    Washington, DC – This week, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) asked questions to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at a House Financial Services Committee hearing.  

    Watch the full clip HERE or read highlights below. 

    On tariffs 

    Rep. Kim: Southern California, where I’m from in and the district that I represent, serves as the primary gateway to Pacific Rim, and Asian goods into the United States come through the Ports of LA and Long Beach. We are already starting to see a drop in volume as the Ports of LA and Long Beach are expected to see 35% to 30% drop when compared to a year ago. Cargo volume is one of the largest economic drivers in the region, and a long-term drop will not just impact families at the grocery stores and small businesses’ bottom line but also result in truckers and dock workers losing their jobs. So, Secretary Bessent, I would like to ask, how can you ensure that our tariff policy will not unintentionally harm American small businesses and workers in the long term? 

    Secretary Bessent: Congresswoman, we believe they are, over the long term that it will drive growth in the economy. And as I’ve said many times, it is a mistake to look at trade in isolation. The Trump economic policy is a three-legged stool. Trade, taxes, and deregulation, and we believe that the sum of the parts, that the whole is greater than the parts. As we complete each one of those that the US will serve the substantial economic growth.  

    Rep. Kim: I know that a lot of my constituents, share these concerns that we raised. I’d like to continue this discussion on this specific topic with you moving forward, because I’m concerned that these long scale tariffs, if they continue in the long term, then American working families and small businesses will suffer under price hikes and a lack of certainty. 

    On the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) 

    Rep. Kim: Under the previous administration, Secretary Yellen rescinded the non-bank systematically important financial institution and replaced it with a new framework for assessing the financial risk. This new framework overlooks the importance of prioritizing an activity based standard and a cost benefit analysis. So, Secretary Bessent, does FSOC intend to reassess the 2023 guidance so that it is more closely aligned with the thoughtful process that was created in 2019? 

    Secretary Bessent: Congresswoman, that is on our agenda.  

    Rep. Kim: Thank you. You know, as you finalize that decision, I want to emphasize that my support for a return to an activity based approach that more appropriately addresses the risk of non-banks.  

    Secretary Bessent: Treasury would be happy to work with your team on that.  

    On CDFI Fund 

    Rep. Kim: I’d like to urge you to continue your support for CDFI. CDFI Fund programs are statutory, as you know, and this has been critical in promoting the local economy in Orange County. Do you still agree that the CDFI plan has a critical role to play in fostering economic opportunity? I think I know the answer because you stated very clearly, in public statements. 

    Secretary Bessent: We believe that if CDFI officials follow their statutory obligations and do not digress into more ideological boundaries, they can be important institutions. 

    On Financial Literacy 

    Rep. Kim: As you know, last week I attended the Financial Literacy Roundtable that your team put together. I want to thank you so much because, as a co-chair of the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, events like that, bringing the stakeholders together and having a meaningful dialogue and conversation, I think is critically important. We need to continue that. Can you talk about how you can continue to advance financial literacy initiatives now that we are past the Financial Literacy Month?  

    Secretary Bessent: As you should know, it is a strong core belief of mine that financial literacy is the only path to economic independence and well-being. The more Americans that who can be educated, and I think we should probably go state to state and encourage each state to put in financial literacy standards for their students. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GREAT DEAL FOR AMERICA: President Trump’s “Breakthrough” Trade Deal

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    In February, President Donald J. Trump promised “a great trade agreement” with the United Kingdom — and today he delivered with a “breakthrough” trade deal that expands market access, curbs non-tariff barriers, and levels the playing field for American exporters.
    Promises made, promises kept — and he’s just getting started.
    It’s the first such deal under President Trump’s transformational plan to liberate Americans from globalist trade policies that make foreign countries rich while Americans get robbed. It’s all part of President Trump’s vision of economic prosperity: fair trade, historic tax cuts, deregulation, and a manufacturing revival that will cement America’s new Golden Age for decades to come.
    Here’s what they’re saying:
    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Buck Wehrbein: “With this trade deal, President Trump has delivered a tremendous win for American family farmers and ranchers. For years, American cattle producers have seen the United Kingdom as an ideal partner for trade. Between our countries’ shared history, culture, and their desire for high-quality American beef, securing a trade agreement is a natural step forward. Thank you President Trump for fighting for American cattle producers.”
    Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper: “We sincerely thank President Trump and his trade negotiators for ensuring that American-made ethanol is an important part of the trade agreement announced today with the United Kingdom. While we are still awaiting the specific details of the agreement, we are excited about the prospects of expanded market access that will help boost our farm economy, while also delivering lower-cost, cleaner fuel to UK drivers.”
    International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO Michael Dykes, D.V.M.: “On behalf of America’s dairy processors and producers, IDFA applauds President Trump’s announcement today that the United States and the United Kingdom have reached the terms for a significant trade deal between our two markets that promises to expand access for U.S. agricultural goods, reduce tariffs, and remove barriers to trade … For too long, the UK has limited America’s food and agricultural exports to the world’s sixth largest economy and now President Trump’s deal promises to level the playing field. IDFA looks forward to studying the details of this agreement as they emerge, especially specifics on relief and new market access opportunities for U.S. dairy products. The United States offers the world’s most wholesome, high-quality and affordable dairy products and IDFA is excited to work with our member companies to bring these delicious products to more consumers in the United Kingdom.”
    Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor: “In terms of trade with the UK, the American ethanol industry had its best year ever last year of exports valued at over $535 million. This trade agreement puts us on track to set another record, all to the benefit of American farmers, biofuel producers, and UK consumers. We look forward to learning more, and finding new ways to help the UK achieve its economic and environmental goals through the increased use of American biofuels. We commend the President and his team for making this deal and creating new opportunities for American ethanol and rural America.”
    Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “Trump’s trade deal with the United Kingdom is a big victory for small businesses, American consumers, and the Trump administration itself. By reducing tariffs and trade barriers, American small businesses will be able to expand their markets and more easily sell to the relatively wealthy UK, whose population is 70 million. American consumers — including small businesses — will also get cheaper access to British goods. President Trump’s tough tariff stance is starting to pay dividends in the form of fairer and freer trade deals that put America first. The many more deals to come will greatly improve the small business economy, financial markets, and American prosperity.”
    Consumer Brands Association President and CEO Melissa Hockstad: “Consumer Brands commends the Trump administration’s successful completion of a comprehensive trade deal with the United Kingdom. As President Trump and his team pursues the America First Trade Policy agenda, the consumer packaged goods industry — America’s largest domestic manufacturing sector by employment — supports the creation of new opportunities for U.S. businesses and efforts to address unfair trade barriers around the world. As the administration continues to pursue deals with other countries, we encourage U.S. trade representatives to examine the needs of different manufacturing sectors and prioritize maintaining access to unavailable natural resources. Ensuring continued trade flows of those key ingredients, which are not available from U.S. sources, is critical to achieving the president’s economic vision, fighting grocery inflation and protecting the 22.3 million American jobs supported by food, beverage, household and personal care manufacturers.”
    HSBC USA President & CEO Lisa McGeough: “Today’s landmark US – UK trade agreement marks a significant step in strengthening transatlantic economic ties and expanding opportunities for businesses and investors. As a British-headquartered bank with a strong US footprint, we’re uniquely positioned to help American companies and investors seize new growth opportunities domestically, in the UK, and beyond. In the US, we stand ready to leverage our position as the world’s leading trade bank to facilitate cross-border commerce, support job creation, and drive investment. We commend the administration on the first of what we hope will be many forward-looking trade agreements.”
    American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farm Bureau appreciates the work between the administration and the United Kingdom to secure a new trade agreement. We have long advocated for new trade deals, and this is an important first step in expanding markets in the four countries … We’re encouraged by progress to create market opportunities for farmers.”
    Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen: “Trade matters to Nebraska because our farmers and ranchers produce the absolute best – and feed the world. America’s relationship with the U.K. is longstanding, and there is great potential for expanded trade between our countries. President Trump and his administration know that we need more trade with fewer barriers, and they are working around the clock to finalize trade deals with partners across the globe. That’s good news for Nebraska.”
    Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig: “A new trade deal with a key ally like the United Kingdom is great news and so I am very encouraged by President Trump’s announcement today. I am particularly pleased to hear the President tout expanded market access for ethanol, beef, and, as he put it, ‘virtually all the products produced by our great farmers’ … Today’s trade announcement demonstrates that there is real progress being made toward opening additional markets for Iowa products across the globe. I hope this deal is the first of many that will be announced with other trading partners in the coming weeks and months.”
    Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso: “It’s good to have the dealmaker-in-chief back in the White House. President Trump’s historic trade deal with the U.K. will mean more jobs and increased investment right here in America. More promises kept.”
    Sen. Jim Banks: “Art of the Deal!”
    Sen. John Boozman: “I just spoke on the phone with USTR Ambassador Greer to discuss the good news. He’s doing a great job, and I look forward to working with him and @SecRollins to ensure agriculture market access remains a priority as the details continue to be worked out.”
    Sen. John Cornyn: “@POTUS Donald Trump will unveil his first post-Liberation Day trade deal this morning — a “major” agreement with the United Kingdom on rolling back tariffs.”
    Sen. Joni Ernst: “President Trump continues to deliver and is opening new markets for Iowa farmers!”
    Sen. Bill Hagerty: “No surprise that our Dealmaker-in-Chief President Donald Trump is rapidly delivering on his promise to ensure our trading partners are operating in good faith and that America is being treated fairly. The deal the President struck with the UK is proof that countries are responding to tariffs and want to enter into trade agreements with the United States that benefit both parties. I look forward to many more announcements in the near future.”
    Sen. Roger Marshall: “Promises made. Promises kept. We are opening up new markets for our world class Kansas beef! Big win.”
    Sen. Jerry Moran: “The UK offers a strategic market for American aviation & agricultural products. I introduced legislation earlier this year to lay the groundwork for a strong bilateral trade relationship, & President Trump’s announcement of a new trade agreement with the UK is a positive step forward.”
    Sen. Bernie Moreno: “An absolutely historic pro America deal by the most pro America President of my lifetime. We will no longer be ripped off and will no longer tolerate trade imbalances that have destroyed the opportunities for working Americans.”
    Sen. Eric Schmitt: “After years of getting ripped off, America is finally playing to win. More exports, more products made here, and record-breaking investment thanks to President Trump’s trade deals.”
    Sen. Rick Scott: “Great news! Thank you, President Trump, for working with our allies while putting America first and protecting American jobs!”
    Sen. Tim Sheehy: “The Art of the Deal. President Trump just delivered a huge win for hardworking Americans. Let’s keep them coming!”
    Sen. Thom Tillis: “A big win secured by @POTUS with the United Kingdom, our greatest ally and one of our largest trade partners. This is a significant step toward establishing fair and mutually beneficial trade relationships with our global partners.”
    Sen. Tommy Tuberville: “Today’s trade deal with the UK is the first of many to come. Like I always say: Never bet against @realDonaldTrump. THE ART OF THE DEAL”
    House Majority Whip Tom Emmer: “The master negotiator succeeds again. @POTUS promised to bring our trading partners to the table and secure deals that put AMERICA FIRST—and that’s exactly what he did. More to come!”
    House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain: “Promises Made, Promises KEPT! @POTUS brought countries to the negotiation table and has already DELIVERED a historic trade deal.”
    House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik: “President @realDonaldTrump delivers AGAIN. Thanks to his bold leadership and tough tariffs, the UK is the first to come to the table—with a new trade deal that puts American workers and businesses FIRST. This is what economic strength and real leadership looks like. Fair trade. Better deals. America wins.”
    Rep. Mark Alford: “Fact check: President Trump’s tariff strategy works. Boosting American manufacturing and fighting for our farmers. ANOTHER WIN FOR AMERICA.”
    Rep. Rick Allen: “Another VICTORY! @POTUS is bringing our trading partners to the table and securing billions in new market access for American workers, businesses, and producers. Today’s trade deal with the U.K. will be the first of many. Economic strength is national strength!”
    Rep. Don Bacon: “I congratulate @POTUS on striking a trade deal with the U.K. While we wait for the finer details of the agreement, including more than $700 million in ethanol exports and $250 million in other AG products like beef, every Nebraskan will surely feel it.”
    Rep. Aaron Bean: “President Trump announced the first historic trade deal with the UK—something the legacy media said was ‘impossible.’ Today’s deal will make our economy stronger, put American workers first, and unleash the full potential of American industry.”
    Rep. Vern Buchanan: “President Trump has once again delivered for the American people with a historic trade agreement that puts our workers and businesses first. This new deal with the United Kingdom dramatically expands access for American exports—especially agriculture—and levels the playing field for our manufacturers.”
    Rep. Tim Burchett: “.@realDonaldTrump is fulfilling his promise to protect American workers and businesses. The UK trade deal slashes tariffs against the U.S. and is Making America Prosperous Again.”
    Rep. Buddy Carter: “This new trade deal with the United Kingdom is just the start to the Golden Age of America. President Trump is keeping his promise, bringing fair trade to America by using the art of the deal!”
    Rep. Andrew Clyde: “ART OF THE DEAL in action!”
    Rep. Mike Collins: “President Trump’s tariff strategy works. Today’s trade deal with the U.K. will make our economy stronger and put American workers first. The only people upset are the Democrats and liberal media who wanted him to fail.”
    Rep. Warren Davidson: “A glaring example of why we need to trust President Trump’s tariff strategy—it’s working. Stay the course.”
    Rep. Pat Fallon: “Another day, another deal!”
    Rep. Michelle Fischbach: “More promises made and kept by @POTUS. He said he would hold our trade partners accountable and put America first, and he’s delivering. This is just the beginning!”
    Rep. Julie Fedorchak: “@POTUS is delivering exactly what our producers need. North Dakota grows and raises some of the best products in the world, and now we have greater access to one of the world’s largest markets. This is just the first of many trade victories to come under President Trump!”
    Rep. Chuck Fleischmann: “@POTUS is ending decades of unfair trade deals that have ripped off the American People and is moving at lightning speed to negotiate and deliver America First trade deals. The US-UK trade deal announced today is historic and is only just the beginning!”
    Rep. Mike Flood: “Over the last four years, President Biden did nothing on trade. Within a matter of months, President Trump’s dealmaking experience resulted in a trade deal with the United Kingdom, one of our country’s oldest allies.”
    Rep. Virginia Foxx: “The Art of The Deal.”
    Rep. Lance Gooden: “In four years, Joe Biden signed ZERO major trade deals. In just over 100 days, President Trump negotiated and signed a major trade deal with the United Kingdom. America is leading once again.”
    Rep. Mark Green: “Once again, the Negotiator-in-Chief is closing deals to safeguard American manufacturers and grow our trade bigger and better than ever. On Victory in Europe Day, there isn’t a better anniversary to solidify our partnership with the United Kingdom.”
    Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: “Another incredible trade deal just secured by President Trump! The Golden Age of America is here!!”
    Rep. Diana Harshbarger: “This is a HUGE WIN! Because of @POTUS’s leadership, America is securing historic economic deals—and this is just the beginning!”
    Rep. Ashley Hinson: “Huge win—and many more to come! @POTUS is fighting to right the wrongs of the past, return to fair trade, and build a more abundant America. Thank you for prioritizing new market opportunities for Iowa’s farmers and biofuels producers.”
    Rep. Richard Hudson: “This is what decisive leadership looks like. Thank you, @POTUS!”
    Rep. Wesley Hunt: “Economic Security IS National Security — and PRESIDENT TRUMP is doing it again! This HISTORIC DEAL delivers:A stronger industrial baseTougher export controlsProtection of U.S. techBoosted steel productionThis is the Art of the Deal — the world is taking notes!”
    Rep. Jim Jordan: “President Trump’s trade deal with the UK is the first of many to come. There’s no better negotiator. There’s no one better to fix Joe Biden’s broken economy.”
    Rep. Young Kim: “I’m glad to see the Trump administration work with our ally Britain to promote fair trade and expand market opportunity for U.S. agricultural producers.”
    Rep. David Kustoff: “Today, @POTUS unveiled a historic U.S.-UK trade deal. $5B in new market access, $6B in tariff revenue, and a stronger alliance! @realdonaldtrump keeps delivering on his promises! This is America First!”
    Rep. Barry Loudermilk: “America has spent far too long on the losing end of global trade. President Trump pledged to put America’s interests first, and he is doing so beginning with this trade deal with one of our oldest allies. #promiseskept.”
    Rep. Tom McClintock: “The freer the trade, the greater the benefits for all countries involved. The UK agreement takes us in the right direction. Let’s keep going toward a new golden age of global free trade and the peace and prosperity it produces.”
    Rep. Dan Meuser: “This is a strong step forward. Fairer trade, lower energy costs, and pro-growth tax policies will keep driving investment here at home. I also laid out how we can responsibly reduce spending while extending key provisions of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which delivered significant benefits for families and small businesses.”
    Rep. Mary Miller: “THE ART OF THE DEAL!”
    Rep. Riley Moore: “Absolute genius to announce this deal on V-E Day!”
    Rep. Troy Nehls: President Trump is the Dealmaker in Chief. He has reached a historic trade deal with the United Kingdom. President Trump and his entire administration are working hard to protect American industries, protect American workers, and grow our economy. AMERICA FIRST!”
    Rep. Ralph Norman: “MASSIVE win for our farmers who will have the opportunity for a wider range in markets!! Art of the deal.”
    Rep. Andy Ogles: “President Trump delivers again!! This deal will bring billions home and make America stronger, richer, and more respected. A huge win for the American people.”
    Rep. Gary Palmer: A win for our nation secured by President Trump! This is what it looks like to have leadership in the White House.”
    Rep. August Pfluger: “President Trump just secured a huge trade deal—one I believe will be the first of many. This massive win for all Americans brings us one step closer to restoring fair trade policies.”
    Rep. Adrian Smith: “I’m pleased the Trump administration has struck an initial trade deal with one of our nation’s greatest trade partners and longest-standing allies. This is a significant step toward eliminating barriers to American products in foreign markets and friendshoring supply chains. I commend President Trump and his administration for conducting negotiations swiftly to the mutual benefit of our producers, job creators, and consumers. This agreement builds upon the groundwork laid in the President’s first term, and I am pleased the administration has indicated it continues to pursue dynamic dialogue with the United Kingdom to address additional concerns.”
    Rep. Marlin Stutzman: “As @POTUS says, the first of many, this is a great day for America! A combination of Trump’s trade deals and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill will make our country strong for generations to come.”
    Rep. Claudia Tenney: “.@POTUS is continuing to put America FIRST, working to strengthen our economy & national security by achieving historic trade deals. This is a huge win for American manufacturers & farmers, & there is only more winning to come!”
    Rep. Beth Van Duyne: “The first of many historic trade deals!! Better market access for US products!”
    Rep. Daniel Webster: Once again, @POTUS delivers for the American people by securing a historic trade deal with our key ally, the United Kingdom. This agreement lowers trade barriers, opening $5 billion of increased market access for American exports, especially for American farmers. Thank you President Trump for putting America’s farmers, businesses, and workers first!”
    Rep. Tony Wied: “The Art of the Deal.”
    Rep. Rudy Yakym: “President Trump is bringing countries to the table and securing fair trade deals. The first of many!”
    Rep. Ryan Zinke: “Great news for Montana! The UK is our 6th largest trade partner and this will help that grow!”
    House Committee on Agriculture: “This announcement is a big win for American agriculture! @POTUS is unlocking billions in new market access for U.S. exports like beef, ethanol, and more—boosting our GREAT farmers and rural economies!”
    Republican Study Committee: “Another day, another historic deal secured by President Trump! This is a MASSIVE victory for American workers. PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Executive Board Concludes the 2025 Discussions on Common Policies of Member Countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    May 8, 2025

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with member countries on common policies of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The Board considered and endorsed the staff appraisal without a meeting.[2]

    The currency union has provided a strong anchor for macroeconomic stability. In 2024, strong tourism performance and continued infrastructure investments have supported robust growth of 3.9 percent, and inflation moderated to below 2 percent in tune with global trends. This has facilitated a moderate reduction in the currency union’s fiscal and external imbalances, although public debt remains high at above 71 percent of GDP and the post-pandemic trend of narrowing of sizable current account deficits has stalled. The ECCB’s stable reserves underpin a strong currency backing ratio. The ECCU financial system has remained stable, though exhibiting legacy asset quality and credit condition weaknesses.

    The union’s recent growth momentum is projected to wane. Increasing constraints to tourism capacity and completion of major infrastructure projects are set to slow real GDP growth to around 2½ percent over the medium term. Modest growth prospects reflect weak productivity and local investment, as well as headwinds from ageing populations, a shrinking labor force, and constrained fiscal space for public investment in most union members. Fiscal and external imbalances are projected to narrow over the medium term, reflecting in part completion of import-intensive public investment projects.

    Risks to the outlook remain mostly on the downside amid a highly uncertain external environment. As reported in the April World Economic Outlook, the escalation of trade tensions and high levels of policy uncertainty are a major negative shock to global economic activity. For ECCU economies, increased global trade and geopolitical tensions could give rise to disruptions to tourism and FDI inflows and renewed inflationary pressures. High public debt, persistent current account deficits and weaknesses in the local financial system amplify vulnerability to recurrent ND shocks alongside the uncertain outlook for future citizenship-by-investment inflows.

    Executive Board Assessment[3]

    The ECCU has achieved a strong rebound from successive adverse shocks. Strong tourism performance and continued infrastructure investments have supported robust post‑pandemic growth, while inflation has moderated in tune with global trends. This has facilitated a moderate reduction in the currency union’s fiscal and external imbalances, although public debt levels and current account deficits remain high in several members. The ECCU’s external position is assessed as weaker than implied by fundamentals and desirable policies, but the current account deficits remain fully financed and the stability of the ECCB’s reserves underpin a strong currency backing ratio. The financial system has remained stable, albeit exhibiting continued asset quality and credit condition weaknesses. 

    Growth momentum is nonetheless projected to wane and risks to the outlook remain mostly on the downside. Increasing constraints to tourism capacity and completion of major infrastructure projects are set to slow growth to around 2½ percent over the medium term. This modest growth potential reflects weak productivity and local investment, as well as headwinds from ageing populations, a shrinking labor force, and constrained fiscal space for public investment in most union members. Downside risks to the outlook are significant amid a highly uncertain external environment, where increased trade and geopolitical tensions could give rise to renewed inflationary pressures and disruptions to tourism and FDI inflows. High public debt, persistent current account deficits, and weaknesses in the local financial system amplify vulnerability to recurrent natural disaster (ND) shocks alongside the uncertain outlook for future Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) inflows.

    Achieving more robust, resilient, and inclusive long-term growth would support the currency union’s fiscal and external sustainability and raise living standards. To support this objective, common regional policies should be anchored in building economic, fiscal, and financial resilience and addressing supply bottlenecks that underpin the recent decades’ downward trend in the region’s growth potential.

    A key policy priority is alleviating the region’s structural growth impediments, which calls for a coordinated multipronged approach. Addressing frictions to employment and skills development requires a renewed effort to attune human capital to economic needs and development priorities through vocational training and modernized education systems, complemented by active labor market policies and improved access to child and elderly care. Common policies can also enhance the scale, resilience, and efficiency of the region’s capital stock by helping to accelerate energy transition to local renewables, optimize the CBI funding model, and increase ND preparedness. Substantial productivity gains may also be achieved through cooperative efforts to address bottlenecks to innovation and allocative efficiency, including by digitalizing key services, streamlining licensing and administrative processes, and strengthening financial intermediation.

    Fiscal policies should remain closely focused on rebuilding buffers, reducing public debt consistent with the regional debt anchor, and improving resilience to shocks. Region‑wide adoption of strong medium-term fiscal frameworks (MTFFs) embedded with well-designed fiscal rules and credible policy plans would support sustainability objectives and create policy space for growth-enhancing social and resilience investment. Comprehensive fiscal resilience strategies, including adequate disaster-financing frameworks, can help alleviate periodic ND disruptions to debt sustainability and support the region’s growth resilience. Strengthening fiscal management of uncertain CBI revenues can similarly alleviate risks and facilitate fiscal planning. These efforts can be supported by more institutionalized regional oversight and continued strengthening of national fiscal institutions.

    Enhancing financial system resilience and reducing persistent credit-frictions can support a more conducive environment for growth-supporting local investment. Regional policy priorities include reducing vulnerabilities from legacy bank balance sheet weaknesses, mitigating risks from rapid credit union expansion, building readiness to manage risks from high dependency on global reinsurance, and strengthening national AML/CFT frameworks. Common minimum NBFI regulatory standards under the planned Eastern Caribbean Financial Stability Board (ECFSB) will be an important step toward their more unified oversight, although a more centralized supervisory structure would better facilitate management of regional stability risks. Coordinated efforts to reduce institutional frictions in local credit markets and support small ECCU businesses’ bankability can help address structural challenges in financial intermediation, revive local credit and investment, and foster development of a more vibrant private sector.

    Strengthening economic data could significantly improve regional policy design and risk management. Priorities include addressing shortcomings in coverage, quality, and timeliness of key national and external accounts and reducing significant blind spots in areas such as the regional labor markets and CBI flows. Greater leveraging of synergies in regional data compilation and processing could help address persistent resource and capacity gaps.

    Table 1. ECCU: Selected Economic and Financial Indicators, 2020-2026 1/
       

    Est.

    Proj.

    2020

    2021

    2022

    2023

    2024

    2025

    2026

    (Annual percentage change) 

    Output and Prices

    Real GDP

    -17.6

    6.5

    11.8

    3.7

    3.9

    3.5

    2.7

    GDP deflator

    -2.2

    4.4

    4.1

    3.3

    2.7

    1.7

    2.1

    Consumer prices, average

    -0.6

    1.7

    5.6

    4.0

    2.3

    1.9

    2.0

    Monetary Sector

    Net foreign assets

    6.1

    16.5

    -0.7

    11.5

    4.8

    1.7

    4.1

      Central bank

    3.6

    11.6

    -4.8

    5.4

    12.3

    5.9

    4.4

      Commercial banks (net)

    8.5

    21.1

    2.8

    16.3

    -0.5

    -1.7

    3.7

    Net domestic assets

    -16.5

    1.2

    13.0

    -5.8

    7.9

    11.0

    6.1

      Of which: private sector credit

    -0.9

    1.5

    1.6

    3.6

    4.7

    5.1

    2.5

    Broad money (M2)

    -4.7

    10.1

    4.6

    4.3

    6.0

    5.3

    4.9

    (In percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    Public Finances

    Central government

    		          

      Total revenue and grants

    29.0

    30.5

    29.7

    30.0

    30.8

    28.3

    27.3

      Total expenditure and net lending

    35.8

    33.4

    32.5

    31.2

    32.2

    32.8

    27.8

    Overall balance 2/

    -6.8

    -2.9

    -2.7

    -1.3

    -1.4

    -4.5

    -0.5

      Of which: expected fiscal cost of natural disasters

    0.5

    0.4

    0.5

    0.7

    0.7

    0.7

    0.7

      Excl. Citizenship-by-Investment Programs

    -11.5

    -8.7

    -9.3

    -8.0

    -7.3

    -8.4

    -3.6

    Primary balance 2/

    -4.3

    -0.6

    -0.5

    0.9

    1.1

    -1.8

    1.7

    Total public sector debt

    89.2

    84.5

    76.2

    73.9

    71.2

    70.8

    69.9

    External Sector

    Current account balance

    -19.1

    -18.5

    -12.3

    -10.3

    -10.4

    -9.9

    -8.3

    Trade balance

    -29.5

    -30.1

    -33.3

    -32.0

    -34.2

    -34.1

    -32.7

      Exports, f.o.b. (annual percentage change)

    -28.5

    31.5

    40.5

    21.9

    -9.7

    13.9

    11.4

      Imports, f.o.b. (annual percentage change)

    -23.2

    15.2

    29.7

    5.3

    11.0

    5.8

    1.9

    Services, incomes and transfers

    10.4

    11.6

    20.9

    21.8

    23.9

    24.2

    24.5

      Of which: travel

    17.1

    20.5

    34.6

    39.8

    42.1

    42.2

    42.5

    External public debt

    47.9

    47.6

    42.6

    42.7

    42.1

    43.7

    44.8

    External debt service (percent of goods and nonfactor services)

    21.3

    14.8

    10.3

    9.0

    10.3

    9.1

    8.6

    International reserves

       In millions of U.S. dollars

    1,747

    1,952

    1,869

    1,972

    2,202

    2,332

    2,435

       In months of prospective year imports of goods and services

    5.7

    4.8

    4.0

    4.0

    4.2

    4.4

    4.4

       In percent of broad money

    28.1

    28.5

    26.1

    26.4

    27.8

    28.0

    27.9

    REER (average annual percentage change)

    		    

       Trade-weighted 3/

    -.07

    -2.8

    3.1

    -1.1

    -1.0

    …

    …

    Sources: Country authorities; and IMF staff estimates and projections.

    1/ Includes all eight ECCU members unless otherwise noted. ECCU consumer price aggregates are calculated as weighted averages of individual country data. Other ECCU aggregates are calculated by adding individual country data. The staff report projections are based on the information available as of March 31, 2025. It, therefore, does not reflect the impact of the escalation of trade tensions on and after April 2, 2025.

    2/ Projections include expected fiscal costs of natural disasters.

    3/ Excludes Anguilla and Montserrat.

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. Staff hold separate annual discussions with the regional institutions responsible for common policies in four currency unions—the Euro Area, the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, the Central African Economic and Monetary Union, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union. For each of the currency unions, staff teams visit the regional institutions responsible for common policies in the currency union, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the currency union’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis of discussion by the Executive Board. Both staff’s discussions with the regional institutions and the Board discussion of the annual staff report will be considered an integral part of the Article IV consultation with each member.

    [2] The staff report reflects discussions with the authorities during January 8-16 and January 27-February 10, 2025, and is based on the information available as of March 31, 2025. It, therefore, does not reflect the impact of the escalation of trade tensions on and after April 2, 2025. Based on information available until April 29, 2025, and covered in the Staff Supplement, the thrust of the staff appraisal remains unchanged.

    [3] The Executive Board takes decisions under its lapse-of-time procedure when the Board agrees that a proposal can be considered without convening formal discussions.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Meera Louis

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/05/08/pr-24135-caribbean-imf-concludes-2025-discussions-on-policies-of-east-carib-currency-union

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mike Levin Reintroduces Bicameral Legislation to Fight Child Hunger

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

    May 07, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) reintroduced H.R. 3217, the Stop Child Hunger Act, to provide families who have children eligible for free and reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to use when school is not in session. The EBT card could be used during summer or winter break, or when schools are operating remotely or are closed for a natural disaster. The bill was reintroduced alongside the Senate companion sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (WA).

    Approximately 29.6 million students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals each day during the school year. School nutrition programs provide critical nourishment to students to support healthy living and improve cognitive function throughout the school day. A lapse in these benefits during vacations and school closures can have a drastic impact on low-income families. Rep. Levin led the effort to establish a permanent Summer EBT program that passed in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package in December 2022. This bill would expand on the Summer EBT program to cover all school breaks longer than five days and would increase the benefit amount families receive.

    “While Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration gut food assistance programs, I’m doing everything I can to make sure kids are able to get the food they need to thrive,” said Rep. Levin. “This bill strengthens and expands existing nutritional programs to ensure that families and children have food year-round, including during school closures and holidays. As a parent, I know how important it is for kids to have access to nutritious food. We need to do everything we can to fight child hunger. I thank Rep. Hayes and Sen. Murray for their partnership on this bill, and I look forward to pushing it forward through the legislative process.”

    “No kid in America should go hungry—it’s really that simple,” said Sen. Murray. “I’ve been fighting for more than a decade to ensure that kids who rely on free and reduced-price meals during the school year don’t lose access to nutritious meals when school is out, and we took a huge step forward when we passed the Summer EBT program into law—which helped feed nearly 600,000 kids in Washington state last summer. Our legislation would build on that progress and make sure that kids whose families are on the tightest budgets still have access to nutritious meals when school is closed for a week or more, including for winter and spring breaks. While the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are working overtime to rip away nutrition benefits from moms and kids, and cut programs families rely on to meet their basic needs, Democrats are fighting to make sure every child is fed and has the support they need to succeed.”

    “For many students, school is the only place they consistently receive a hot meal. While Summer EBT was expanded in 2023, vital programs like SNAP are still under threat of cuts from Republicans in Congress,” said Rep. Hayes. “The Stop Child Hunger Act provides a crucial solution by making Summer EBT permanent and nationwide, giving eligible children year-round access to nutritious food with EBT benefits matching the value of school meals for school closures over five days. This is a vital step towards addressing child hunger and a necessary investment in public health and equity for our most vulnerable children.”

    The Stop Child Hunger Act builds on the permanent Summer EBT program to establish a permanent nutrition program for children from low-income families for all school closures. Specifically, it would:

    • Expand the new permanent Summer EBT program to all school closures longer than five consecutive days.
    • Increase the value of the benefit to cover the cost of breakfast, lunch, and a snack for every day school is closed. The FY23 omnibus government funding package only authorized funding for $40 a month per child.
    • Allow eligible households to use EBT cards for the purchase of food from retail food stores that have been approved for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
    • Provide grants to states to support the development of data systems or upgrades to existing data systems to carry out this program more effectively.

    “Millions of children lose access to free and reduced-price meals when schools close,” said Crystal FitzSimons, Interim President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “The Stop Child Hunger Act builds on the Summer EBT program to help families keep food on the table during school breaks, increasing the benefit levels and covering state’ cost. FRAC urges Congress to pass this bill without delay. Hungry children can’t wait.” 

    “With the Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025, Senator Murray is acting on one of the most critical needs in Washington state right now, where families with children are often twice as likely to be food insecure. This bill builds on the success of the SUN Bucks EBT program in 2024, which delivered a one-time $120 benefit per year per eligible child, so nearly 600,000 families were able to buy groceries last summer. Senator Murray’s leadership on child hunger is unmatched with real solutions and real results for Washington families,” said Megan Blado Cooper, Interim CEO of Food Lifeline.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Alberta has long accused Ottawa of trying to destroy its oil industry. Here’s why that’s a dangerous myth

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ian Urquhart, Professor Emeritus, Political Science, University of Alberta

    “Alberta is a place soaked in self-deception.” Those words began Alberta-based journalist Mark Lisac’s 2004 book aimed at shattering the myths that have unhelpfully animated too much of Alberta’s politics over the past few decades.

    Current and former Alberta politicians are once again embracing and treating separatist grievances seriously. That means it’s time once again to highlight and challenge political misconceptions that have the potential to destroy Canada.

    Oil is the root of one such myth. The misconception? That Ottawa perenially opposes the oil and gas sector and is determined to stop its continued growth. The National Energy Program (1980), the Northern Gateway pipeline project (2016), the Energy East Pipeline (2017) and the proposed greenhouse gas pollution cap allegedly prove Ottawa’s hostility.

    Notably missing from these grievances is the Keystone XL pipeline and the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. Ottawa supported these projects aimed at transporting Alberta oilsands crude to foreign markets. The federal government even purchased the Trans Mountain project from Kinder Morgan in 2018 — not to kill it, but to build it.



    Read more:
    Justin Trudeau’s risky gamble on the Trans Mountain pipeline

    As for Keystone XL, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for supporting the project. This doesn’t fit the separatist narrative, so it’s largely ignored.

    Oilsands booster

    No one should dispute the National Energy Program’s devastating impact on Alberta’s conventional oil and gas sector 40 years ago. But the oilsands, not conventional oil, propelled Canada to its position as the world’s fourth largest oil producer.

    Has Ottawa facilitated or obstructed the spectacular post-1990 growth of oilsands production?

    The record shows that, since the mid-1970s, Ottawa has facilitated and supported the oilsands sector. The federal government helped keep the Syncrude project alive in 1975 when it took a 15 per cent interest in Canada’s second oilsands operation.

    Ironically, Ottawa’s enthusiasm for more, not less, petroleum from the oilsands also appeared in 1980 via the National Energy Program (NEP), the devil in Alberta’s conservative catechism. What most accounts of the NEP don’t mention is that Ottawa offered tax benefits to oilsands companies while stripping them from conventional oil producers.

    Furthermore, the NEP’s “made-in-Canada” pricing effectively guaranteed Syncrude would receive the world price for its production. At $38 per barrel, Syncrude received more than double what conventional producers received. If the NEP was harsh on conventional oil producers, it helped create a golden future for the oil sands.

    In the mid-1990s, Ottawa helped propel the post-1995 oilsands boom. The industry-dominated National Task Force on Oil Sands Strategies sought federal tax concessions to promote oilsands growth. The federal government delivered them in its 1996 budget, despite Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s general concern with cutting the deficit.

    Again, these measures clearly contradict the myth of federal opposition to the oil industry.

    Generous emissions caps

    Ottawa’s policy favouritism towards the oilsands didn’t end there. It has consistently animated the federal government’s treatment of the oilsands in its climate change policies.

    The federal Climate Change Plan for Canada (2002) treated oil and gas leniently. Its measures for large industrial emitters bore a striking resemblance to the climate change policy preferences of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Suncor and Syncrude, the two leading oilsands producers, estimated these federal proposals would add a pittance, between 20 and 30 cents, to their per barrel production costs.

    Justin Trudeau’s response to Alberta’s 2015 oilsands emissions cap also underlined Ottawa’s favouritism, not hostility, to the dominant player in Canada’s oil patch.

    Rachel Notley’s NDP government set this cap at 100 million tonnes of GHG per year, plus another 10 million tonnes allowed to new upgrading and co-generation facilities. This cap was a whopping 39 million tonnes or 55 per cent higher than what the oilsands emitted in 2014.

    This generous cap contributed to a tremendous increase in oilsands production. Healthy profits became record profits in 2022. Ottawa embraced Alberta’s largesse, incorporating the province’s cap into its post-2015 climate policies.

    Furthermore, Ottawa increased its leniency towards the oilsands by exempting new in-situ (non-mining) oilsands projects in Alberta from the federal Impact Assessment Act. This exemption applies until Alberta’s emissions cap is reached. Canada’s latest National Inventory Report on greenhouse gas emissions reported record oilsands GHG emissions of 89 million tonnes in 2023, still 11 million tonnes shy of the 100 million tonne threshold.

    Weaponizing myths

    Finally, we have today’s proposed national cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Alberta is apoplectic about the cap. But whether or not it’s intentional, Premier Danielle Smith’s outrage feeds into secessionist sentiment by seemingly misrepresenting the cap’s impact on oil and gas production.

    Smith and her environment minister use the work of the Parliamentary Budgetary Officer (PBO) to nurture their “Ottawa hates oil” narrative. They claim the officer’s analysis of the cap’s economic impact showed it “will cut oil and gas production by five per cent, or more than 245,000 barrels per day.”

    This is simply not true.

    In fact, the PBO concluded that, with the cap, oilsands production “is projected to remain well above current levels” — 15 per cent higher than in 2022. The proposed federal emissions cap, like the Alberta NDP’s cap of a decade ago, is higher than current oilsands emissions levels. The PBO concluded the proposed ceiling for oilsands emissions would be six per cent higher than 2022 emissions.

    Ottawa’s proposed cap, in fact, continues its decades-long support of the oilsands.

    Myths are central to our being. When I tell my grandsons about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I hope to inspire curiosity, imagination and interest in their grandmother’s Irish heritage.

    But in politics, fanciful stories can be dangerous. Some weaponize myths, using the fictions at their core to encourage followers to let falsehoods rule their behaviour. That seems to be playing out yet again in Alberta. We must demand better from the political class.

    Ian Urquhart does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Alberta has long accused Ottawa of trying to destroy its oil industry. Here’s why that’s a dangerous myth – https://theconversation.com/alberta-has-long-accused-ottawa-of-trying-to-destroy-its-oil-industry-heres-why-thats-a-dangerous-myth-255908

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Issues Statement on the Historic Election of Pope Leo XIV

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    May 8 2025

    Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Issues Statement on the Historic Election of Pope Leo XIV

    “Chicago has given the world artists, activists, Presidents—and now a Pope.” 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) issued the following statement today in recognition of the historic election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago as Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the city of Chicago and the first American in history to be elevated to the papacy:

    “Today is a day of profound grace, pride, and hope. For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, our nation has seen the city of Chicago give the world a Pope.

    With the elevation of Pope Leo XIV, Chicago has added another chapter to its rich legacy. We’ve given the world artists, activists, champions, cultural diversity, presidents and now, a Pope. His election is not only historic, it is deeply symbolic. Pope Leo XIV reminds us that the Gospel is not only to be preached, but lived. That we are to lift up the poor, protect the worker, welcome the stranger, and care for the least among us, as Christ commanded in Matthew 25.

    Pope Leo XIV is not just from Chicago—he is of Chicago. He was shaped by the neighborhoods and churches that define our city. With over 2.2 million Catholics, 300 parishes, and a proud tradition of service and solidarity, Chicago’s Catholic community has long stood at the crossroads of faith and social justice. The Pope’s upbringing reflects those very values: proximity to the poor, humility in leadership, and passion for peace. He knows our history and hopes.

    In a time of global division, economic inequality, and moral drift, Pope Leo XIV brings with him a deep understanding of what it means to serve, not rule; to listen, not lecture; to lead, not dominate. His life’s work, from missionary service in Peru to his leadership in Rome, has been a testimony to the power of compassion and conviction.

    I believe Pope Leo XIV will be a unifier—a Pope who leads with humility, who honors the sacred dignity of every human being, and who ensures that the Church is not a fortress of privilege, but a sanctuary of love. 

    Congratulations Pope Leo XIV! I wish you great success in spreading your message of peace, justice, and inclusion to all faiths!”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Keith Self Introduces Bill to Support and Protect Our Military Chaplains

    Source:

    Congressman Keith Self introduced the Military Chaplains Act of 2025 alongside Congressman Morgan Luttrell in an effort to support and protect military chaplains across all branches of the armed forces.

    Various bad actors within the Department of Defense have undermined statutory protections and retaliated against military chaplains in an effort to secularize the military chaplaincy program. This included, but was not limited to, chaplains who were punished for: providing solicited Biblical teaching on human sexuality; seeking a religious exemption from the COVID19 vaccine; delivering sermons or performing rites, rituals, or counseling consistent with tenets of their faith. These punishments often included downgraded performance reports, resulting in missed promotions and involuntary separation from the armed forces. Others included degraded fitness reports, removal from their operational unit, travel permission denials, mandatory training denials, and many other forms of retribution that directly harmed—and for those who were not separated, continue to harm—their careers.

    While basic protections exist for the chaplain’s religious freedom and rights of conscience— including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Section 533 of the Fiscal Year 2013 NDAA, and the First Amendment—explicit statutory protections for chaplains within the Department of Defense are still needed. Currently, the above statutes are fully captured in DoDI 1300.17 as well as the individual regulations for each military branch. However, these protections are not codified in Title 10 of the United States Code.

    Additionally, Title 10 does not lay out the full scope of chaplains’ duties. In some of the branches, Title 10 allows chaplains to perform rites, rituals, and ceremonies. There are many other things chaplains can and should be doing, such as advising command on moral decision making. There are many areas where they are permitted to do these things, but because it is not explicitly stated in statute, it is not consistently implemented across branches.

    “The military chaplain’s ability to freely exercise their religious duties is not only a Constitutional right, but it is essential to forming the conscience and character of our warfighters,” said Congressman Self. “As someone who benefited from the counsel of chaplains during my 25 years in the Army, I believe we must ensure they can serve without sacrificing their God-given freedoms. Though we currently have an administration that values the chaplain corps, that may not always be the case. That’s why this legislation to safeguard religious liberty in our armed forces is urgently needed.”

    If enacted, the Military Chaplains Act would:

    1. Establish statutory protections for chaplains, ensuring they can live and serve in 
    alignment with their sincerely held religious beliefs and the tenets of their religious 
    endorsing organization.  

    2. Clarify the broad scope of a chaplain’s purpose, role, and duties. These duties extend 
    beyond facilitating the free exercise of religion to include advising on spiritual matters, 
    including policy and command decisions. 

    3. Provide explicit statutory protections, subject to prosecution under the Uniform Code of 
    Military Justice, that all responsibilities are free from “censorship, undue restriction, or 
    fear of retribution.” 

    4. Institute a clear standardization of the chaplain across branches of the armed forces. 

    This bill is currently supported by First Liberty Institute and Chaplains Alliance for Religious Liberty (CALL).

    “Chaplains are leaders in our fighting force, responsible for maintaining spiritual readiness. It is imperative that we provide them with the tools and protections necessary to fulfill their duties in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs and the tenets of their religious endorsing body. The Military Chaplains Act of 2025 not only provides these tools but also ensures that chaplains can serve without censorship, undue restrictions, or fear of retribution.”

    —Erin Smith, Associate Counsel at First Liberty Institute

    “The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty fully supports the Military Chaplains Act of 2025 and believes it is long overdue! No service member should ever be denied their constitutionally protected rights to freely exercise their religious beliefs, and this law will ensure our Military Chaplains are decidedly the most qualified among religious professionals.”

    —Bishop Derek Jones, Executive Director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty

    Read the full bill text HERE.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Announces FY26 Community Project Funding Submissions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

    Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today announced the 15 projects she has submitted to the House Appropriations Committee in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Community Project Funding (CPF) process. 

    The CPF process allows municipalities and non-profits to submit federal funding requests for high-priority community projects with strong local support in New York’s 24th Congressional District. Each application was subjected to a rigorous review process to ensure that it is a sound use of taxpayer dollars and that applicants have a clear and accountable plan to spend funds on targeted projects within a year.  

    A list of Rep Tenney’s submitted FY26 projects can be found below:

    • $2,000,000 for the City of Lockport’s Phase III – Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks
    • $1,000,000 for the City of Oswego Police Department’s New Police Station
    • $4,275,000 for Jefferson County’s Installation of Runway 10 Omni-Directional Approach Lights at Watertown International Airport
    • $2,000,000 for Orleans County’s Public Safety Building Vital Improvements for Safety and Security
    • $2,000,000 for Schuyler County’s Emergency Operations Center
    • $5,000,000 for the Town of Lyons’ Resurgence of the Town of Lyons Canal Street District
    • $3,300,000 for the Town of Phelps’ Sanitary Sewer Distribution Project
    • $1,000,000 for the Town of Throop’s Water Improvements Project
    • $2,475,000 for the Town of Torrey’s Water District #2 Resource Improvements      
    • $10,000,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ work on Genesee County’s water needs
    • $3,000,000 for the Village of Geneseo’s Water and Sewer System Improvements
    • $1,500,000 for the Village of Mexico’s Water System Improvements
    • $3,000,000 for the Village of Waterloo’s Sewer System Improvements and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
    • $4,000,000 for Wayne County’s Rural Health Services Building Renovation
    • $3,000,000 for Wyoming County’s Silver Lake Dredging Project    

    “The Community Project Funding Process allows Congress to hear directly from municipalities and community leaders about their needs. This year, I submitted 15 projects on behalf of our district to improve essential infrastructure, enhance public safety, and revitalize our local communities. I remain committed to advocating for these projects throughout the appropriations process and will continue to be a strong voice for protecting your hard-earned tax dollars while representing our district in Congress,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

    Community leaders who submitted and worked with Rep Tenney’s office on various funding proposals expressed their appreciation for her advocacy:

    “On behalf of Genesee County, I extend our sincere thanks to Congresswoman Tenney for championing this critical investment in our region’s infrastructure. The proposed water project will play a vital role in strengthening our water system—not only for the City of Batavia, but for communities, farms, and businesses throughout Genesee County. This funding brings us one step closer to securing long-term reliability, capacity, and growth potential for the entire county,” said the Genesee County Legislature Chair, Shelley Stein. 

    “The Town of Lyons and the Wayne County Regional Land Bank greatly appreciate Congresswoman Tenney’s commitment to our Resurgence of the Town of Lyons Canal Street District project. This neighborhood revitalization addresses legacy community needs by transforming blighted properties in the heart of downtown into quality housing, commercial space, enhanced infrastructure, and improved access to essential services,” said the Town of Lyons Supervisor, Jim Brady.

    “The Flight of Five is more than a historic marvel — it’s the beating heart of Lockport’s canal heritage and a cornerstone of our tourism future. With possible Phase III funding on the horizon, we’re poised to take the next critical step in fully restoring this 19th-century engineering wonder. This investment not only honors the legacy of the Erie Canal, but positions Lockport as a must-see destination for millions of visitors exploring the Niagara region,” said the President/CEO Greater Lockport Development Corporation, Vicki Smith.

    “We sincerely thank Congresswoman Tenney for selecting Oswego as one of 15 projects in the FY26 Appropriations Bill. This vital support moves us closer to replacing our 150-year-old police station with a modern facility that will enhance public safety, support emergency response, and provide space for community outreach and critical services. This project will help build a stronger, safer Oswego for all,” said the City of Oswego Police Chief, Phil Cady.

    “On behalf of the residents of the Town of Phelps, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for her support of our Route 14 wastewater infrastructure project. We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Tenney’s efforts in advancing our funding request to the Appropriations Committee for review and consideration. Her advocacy brings us one step closer to a much-needed sewer line project that will significantly enhance development opportunities not only within our town but in the Town and City of Geneva. Federal funding is essential to ensure the timely construction of this project, which will serve thousands of visitors to the Finger Lakes region while supporting long-term growth for our community. We are especially grateful for Representative Tenney’s commitment, hard work, and her willingness to listen to the needs of our residents. Her support reflects a strong partnership between federal leadership and local priorities,” said the Town of Phelps Town Supervisor, Bill Wellman.

    “We are thankful for Congresswoman Tenney continuous support of Watertown International Airport, these lights are so important to airport users. The runway 10 lights help decrease delays and keep airplanes landing when visibility is limited. It’s vital for our residents, tourism, business, and DOD communities that rely on the airport for safe and reliable air transportation,” said the Watertown International Airport Director of Aviation, Grant Sussey.

    “This investment in critical infrastructure keeps villages like Geneseo moving forward while keeping tax rates and housing affordable. Most importantly, you are replacing lead water service pipes and ensuring that our sanitary sewer is safe, and keeping it separate from our storm sewer. Finishing the project will leave us ADA compliant and offer enhanced walkability to our village,” said the Geneseo Village Mayor, Christopher Ivers.

    “First, we would like the thank Congresswoman Tenney for including us in the Appropriations bill. We are deeply grateful for her advocacy, commitment, and unwavering support of our community. This funding will have a transformative impact on our community that will enable us to expand critical infrastructure, enhance resources, and provide greater opportunities for those we serve. The project we are looking to fund will foster long-term growth and positive changes for Waterloo,” said the Mayor of Waterloo, Walt Bennett.

    “The Town of Torrey is thrilled to have been selected by Congresswoman Tenney to provide funding through the Congressional Appropriations process for the Town’s Water District #2 serving the Perry Point area. This funding will provide the residents of the district with a reliable and safe supply of water at a reasonable cost while protecting the waters of Seneca Lake. The Town of Torrey is very appreciative of the efforts that Congresswoman Tenney has made on behalf of Torrey residents and the 24th Congressional District,” said the Supervisor of the Town of Torrey, Peter Martini. 

    “On behalf of the residents of Wyoming County, especially those living around Silver Lake, and the Board of Supervisors, I extend our sincere appreciation for Congresswoman Tenney’s selection of the Silver Lake dredging project to submit to the House Appropriations Committee. Congresswoman Tenney understands and shares the values we hold as part of our proud agricultural heritage. An integral part of the environmental stewardship we are tasked with is to fulfill our mission of a healthier and more resilient Silver Lake. It is not only an essential component of our county’s robust tourism industry, but is also a prime drinking water source for multiple communities spanning Wyoming and Livingston counties. This important funding will help to preserve sensitive habitats, protect water quality and enhance public waterway access. We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Tenney for her unwavering support in this project and for Wyoming County,” said the Chairwoman of the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, Rebecca Ryan.

    “The Village of Mexico would like to take this opportunity to express their appreciation for Congresswomen Claudia Tenney’s continued support of the Village and Town of Mexico. This project if awarded would help insure continued safe and accessible water far into the Future,” said the Mayor of the Village of Mexico, Terry Grimshaw.

    “Wayne County is humbled and so very grateful by this support from Congresswoman Tenney’s office to be selected as one of the 15 projects submitted for consideration. The House Appropriations funding opportunity provides a meaningful modernization of a rural facility offering healthcare and behavioral health treatment and services. Wayne County Health Building renovations would help expand support and treatment to all ages for critical outpatient treatment and support services in our rural community,” said Wayne County Public Health Director Diane Devlin, Aging & Youth Director Amy Haskins, and Interim County Administrator Mark Humbert.

    “The town of Throop is incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Tenney for selecting Throop’s Water District #3 project as a candidate for Community Project Funding. This investment will provide safe, reliable drinking water, as well as fire protection to residents who’ve long relied on aging private wells with poor water quality. Investing in this project will significantly improve the quality of life, health, and public safety for residents within this proposed water district. This project also has broader implications to the entire water system. This water district will vastly improve the area’s water infrastructure resiliency by completing a critical loop to an existing main line, creating essential system redundancy that benefits the broader network. Congresswoman Tenney has a steadfast commitment to ensuring all communities are supported, especially those in rural areas. Rural communities are the backbone of this region, and Congresswoman Tenney’s continued support for them is invaluable. Her support for this project is a powerful example of how by working together, elected officials can strengthen our infrastructure, safeguard our future, and impact the lives of our residents,” said the Town of Throop Supervisor, Eric Ridley. 

    “On behalf of Schuyler County, I want to say thank you to Congresswoman Tenney for supporting our project submission to improve our county’s Emergency Operations Center. This new Emergency Operations Center will house our county’s Emergency Management department, 911/Dispatch, Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, and the Schuyler County Public Health Office to improve emergency response times and recovery efforts for our taxpayers and visitors. Thank you again to Congresswoman Tenney for advocating for the project. We are appreciative of your efforts in supporting critical emergency infrastructure projects NY-24,” said the Chairman of the Schuyler County Legislator, Carl H. Blowers

    “We very much appreciate the fact that Congresswoman Tenney recognizes the infrastructure needs of local governments and is working to secure $2 million in funding for the Orleans County Public Safety Building. Fixing a roof may be not be the most exciting project, but it was very necessary to maintaining that building and ensuring safe working conditions for our public safety team. We are very thankful Congresswoman Tenney delivered for us,” said the Orleans County Legislature Chairman, Lynne Johnson. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ōrewa Library team apply the finishing touches  

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    A $6.3 million Auckland Council investment to renew the Ōrewa public library has finished ahead of schedule, with new doors set to glide open from 19 May.

    Throughout 2024, as the Ōrewa library team maintained services from the nearby Ōrewa Community Centre, they’ve watched the old library building gradually transform into a modern, more resilient community hub.

    Now, they’re back at 12 Moana Avenue and busy setting up a range of enticing spaces to suit the new, more spacious layout.  

    Ōrewa Library Manager Carolyn Hickey says the addition of an entirely new mezzanine floor will provide a lot more options for community use in two meeting rooms and additional study space.

    “The rooms are perfect for book groups, language classes and all sorts of other community needs that we weren’t able to offer space to before. In addition, the mezzanine upstairs floor space will provide the perfect zone for students to study,” says Carolyn. 

    In keeping with the concept of building knowledge, local iwi artist Hokimai Rosieur has designed an entry panel called Te Kete Mātauranga, which flows along the front entrance of the building and represents Māori concepts of learning.

    The lower ground floor will provide more practical options for visitors with new seating arranged to cater for reading, relaxing and working on a device. Staff will be readily available to help with library support and council services offered from the library, like rates payments, dog registrations and environmental concerns.

    “We can’t wait to welcome back our customers of all ages, with more space and refreshed collections. There are so many different people that use our local library community hub and this space will allow us to provide many, many more options.”

    Hibiscus and Bays Local Board chair Alexis Poppelbaum says the local board is thrilled that the library upgrade has been completed ahead of time.

    “The library is a real favourite among locals – it’s always buzzing with activity and is a much-loved hub where the community comes together in the heart of town.

    “This was absolutely a worthwhile investment. As the population grows and more people rely on library services, it’s essential to have a space that can grow and adapt alongside the community.

    “The revamped library is now brighter and more open, with improved visibility throughout. One of the standout features is the new mezzanine level — it’s a fantastic, flexible space that can be used in all sorts of ways to meet the needs of our community.

    “A big thank you goes out to our incredible library staff and to the community for your patience during construction. It’s already clear to see the big difference that the upgrade has made.”

    Throughout the 12-month rebuild, three-quarters of the old library was deconstructed and removed. A section used for office space has been refreshed to match the new areas, providing significant costs savings for the rebuild.

    The architecturally-designed internal space reflects its coastal setting – through natural wood features and a soft blue-grey colour scheme in the flooring. A panel of historic Ōrewa photographs, including the original library, is on display to celebrate the past. 

    Elaborate lighting, designed to highlight book displays and encourage reading, has been installed throughout the building. The interior itself will provide a warm, dry and more environmentally-friendly space through all seasons with double glazing, insulated roof panels to reduce energy costs, and solar-powered energy generation.

    Join the library team for a Family Fun Day 

    On Saturday 28 June, this free event will be packed with activities for all ages, running from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There will be plenty of fun both inside the library and out in the car park, including bouncy castles, face painting, kids’ activities, a sausage sizzle and ice cream!

    Come by the new library, grab a book, and discover all the exciting events, activities, clubs, and daily happenings that make this place such a fun hub all week long – from Monday to Sunday.

    Due to limited parking, if you live nearby, it may be easier to walk or cycle to the event.

    More detail

    • Hibiscus and Bays Local Board contributed $5.5million towards the $6.3 million extensive upgrade.

    • The rebuild is anticipated to help support an increase in visitors to more than 235,000 a year.

    • The new library features a lift that meets accessibility requirements for access to the mezzanine floor and upstairs meeting rooms.

    • There is a fun, architecturally-designed children’s area downstairs, providing more space for activities and collections.

    • The new building is made of robust concrete panels with a steel frame.

    • The library at 12 Moana Avenue will open from Monday 19 May.

    • An official community celebration to mark the opening is planned on 28 June.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: One Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Official Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violation for Failing to Obtain Medical Care for an Inmate Who Died

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    She and a Second Official Also Sentenced for Making False Statements in the Federal Investigation

    Former Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) lieutenant Shronda Covington, 49, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison followed by 12 months of home confinement and three years of supervised release for violating the civil rights of an inmate in her custody and control by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs, resulting in the inmate suffering, bodily injury, and for lying to federal investigators about the offense. The inmate later died of injuries he sustained over the course of a 30-hour period spanning Jan. 9 and 10, 2021.

    Former BOP nurse Tonya Farley, 54, was also sentenced today to six months in prison, six months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release for lying to federal investigators about the circumstances of the death of the inmate, who was entrusted to her care.

    According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Covington was on duty and working in her official capacity at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg, Virginia, on Jan. 9, 2021. She willfully failed to ensure that the inmate, a 47-year-old man identified as W.W., was provided with necessary medical care during her shift, even though she knew that W.W. had serious medical needs, and W.W. suffered bodily injury as a result. Covington was also found guilty of making false statements to federal agents about the incident.

    Another BOP official, former lieutenant Michael Anderson, previously pleaded guilty for his role in the inmate’s death and was sentenced to three years in prison.

    “Federal correctional officials who fail to do their jobs at the cost of inmate safety should be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Further, officials who obstruct investigations of their misconduct violate the public’s trust.”

    “Custody includes a responsibility for safety and wellbeing,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Corrections staff must uphold that responsibility for persons in their care – or they will be held accountable for their failure to do so, like the defendants in this case.”

    “This case is a powerful reminder that BOP officials who disregard their responsibility to provide a humane environment for inmates will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Tim Edmiston of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region.

    Evidence presented at trial established that, in the early morning hours of Jan. 9, 2021, W.W.’s cellmate reported to facility staff that W.W. was exhibiting unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly disoriented, unable to talk, unable to stand or walk without falling, and unable to control his bladder. Over the course of two days, BOP officials knew of but disregarded W.W.’s symptoms.

    Without medical attention to address his medical crisis, W.W. fell into walls and other objects numerous times, causing significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Although BOP policy requires staff to provide necessary medical care to inmates, defendant Covington failed to respond to repeated calls for help from the officers she supervised during her shift on the morning of Jan. 9, 2021.

    On the morning of Jan. 10, 2021, W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell, where — despite inmate-observers’ continued calls for help — he lay for an hour and 40 minutes before officers rendered aid. An autopsy concluded that W.W. died of blunt force trauma to his head and that the lack of medical assistance he received during his series of falls and after his last fall contributed to his death.

    Farley was the last medical provider to see W.W. before his death. Despite BOP policies requiring her to confer with a physician about W.W.’s care, and despite Farley’s admission that she should have conferred with a physician and sent W.W. to the hospital, Farley failed to take these steps. She then falsely told federal investigators that she had conferred with a physician, even though she had not done so. Farley also misled investigators about her conversations with another prison official.

    The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Katherine McCallister of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to Prison For Federal Civil Rights Crime in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    A former corrections officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Steven Nicholas Wimmer, 25, of Bluefield, was sentenced to nine years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    With his guilty plea, Wimmer acknowledged that he responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officers, including Wimmer, then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where officers struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Wimmer admitted that officers struck Q.B. in the interview room in order to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod. Wimmer further admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy who injured Q.B. inside the interview room while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed, and posed no threat.

    Wimmer and former Southern Regional Jail corrections officer Andrew Fleshman pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, 2023, to conspiring with other officers to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Fleshman, 22, of Shady Spring, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14. On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, former correctional officers Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Sentencing hearings for Holdren, Snyder, and Walters are scheduled for June 16. On Aug. 8, 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to violating Q.B.’s civil rights by failing to intervene when other officers used unreasonable force. Sentencing hearings for Boothe and Toney are scheduled for June 9.

    On January 27, a federal jury convicted defendant Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Lester is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.

    Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-134.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Honduran Men Sentenced to Prison for their Roles in International Human Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Note: See superseding indictment here.

    Two Honduran men were sentenced today to three years in prison for their roles in a scheme to illegally smuggle Honduran nationals into the United States.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, for almost a year, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, both of Utila, Honduras, conspired with at least six others to bring Honduran nationals from Honduras to the United States via two vessels, the Masita III and the M/V Pop. The vessels sailed from Utila, Honduras to Louisiana. The aliens and/or their family members paid thousands of dollars to be brought illegally into the United States by boat. Upon arrival, the aliens were picked up by co-conspirators and driven further into the United States. The co-conspirators then placed some of the aliens in jobs at U.S. factories and other businesses knowing that the aliens lacked authorization to enter, remain, or work in the United States. The defendants were part of the vessels’ crew on multiple voyages.

    In February 2022, the defendants attempted to illegally bring 23 Honduran nationals from Utila, Honduras, to Cocodrie, Louisiana, aboard the M/V Pop, a 65’ sportfishing vessel. During the voyage, the M/V Pop developed engine trouble and lost power. The co-conspirators then chartered a boat to bring fuel to the disabled vessel so that it could complete its journey to the United States. Before the chartered boat reached the disabled vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the vessel approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana and towed it to shore. Inside the vessel, law enforcement officers also found 24 kilograms of cocaine.

    Cooper Zelaya and Jackson Hernandez were convicted after trial of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

    The lead defendant in the case, Carl Allison, previously pleaded guilty in December 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Three additional co-conspirators, all Honduran nationals, pleaded guilty last year for their roles in the scheme: Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 36, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Allison; and Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. A fifth man, Honduran national Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, was extradited from Honduras in April and is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Maldonado’s trial is scheduled for June 16. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Maldonado is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

    The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police, and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance.

    Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) in Honduras provided assistance.

    The sentencings are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and OPDAT, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial seizures and forfeitures of assets and contraband including millions of dollars in cash, real property, vehicles, firearms and ammunition, and drugs.

    This case is also supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FBI Director Shows Up to Budget Hearing With “No” Timeline for Budget, Walks Back His Criticism of Trump’s Plan for Big Cuts at FBI

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Asked about FBI budget, Patel tells Senate Appropriations Committee: “I’m not asking you for anything at this time.”
    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks and questioning***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee hearing on the FY26 budget for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, grilled Director Kash Patel on President Trump’s proposed budget for the FBI, the Department of Justice’s sweeping cancellation of grants to local law enforcement, and how the FBI is focusing its resources.
    In opening comments, Vice Chair Murray said:
    “The FBI does really crucial work to keep our nation safe—whether it’s stopping criminal organizations, or domestic terrorists. It protects our nation’s secrets, prevents cyber attacks, keeps our children safe from harm, and a lot more. So, this is really sober work with extremely high stakes.
    “And I’m concerned that instead of focusing on the incredibly important mandate—to keep Americans safe and to help impartially enforce our laws—under your leadership, Director Patel, the FBI has been weaponized to go after Americans who disagree with the President. FBI resources have been diverted away from combatting terrorism to focusing on immigration requests.
    “All of this—the diverted mission, fewer resources, fewer agents, heightened politicization—is happening now under your watch, and it is, I believe, making Americans less safe.”
    [LACK OF FBI SPEND PLAN AND FULL FY26 BUDGET]
    Senator Murray began her questioning by pressing Director Patel on where the FBI’s statutorily-required spend plan and its full FY26 budget is.
    “As Ranking Member Van Hollen noted earlier, this hearing is being held without the FBI’s fiscal year 2025 spend plan and a full budget request for fiscal year 2026. The spend plan, is required by law, it was due to Congress over a week ago, we have not yet seen it. That is really absurd. The FBI is our nation’s leading law enforcement agency, with a budget of $10.7 billion dollars—and it is critical that we understand how you are spending taxpayer dollars. So, Director Patel, when should we expect the FY25 spend plan for the FBI? Have you seen it, have you reviewed it, when will we get it?”
    “I will get you an answer ma’am. I don’t have a timeline on that,” replied Director Patel.
    Senator Murray noted, “It was due last week, by law.”
    “I understand,” said Director Patel.
    Senator Murray asked for clarification, “And your answer is you just understand, you’re not going to follow the law?”
    Director Patel dodged, stating: “My answer is that I am following the law, and I’m working with my interagency partners to do this and get you the budget that you are required to have.”
    “And you have no timeline?” Senator Murray inquired.
    “No,” stated Director Patel.
    Senator Murray then asked Patel about when the full FY26 FBI budget will arrive, stating: “Well we also need a full budget request—not a single paragraph full of wild talking points that we saw with the ‘skinny’ budget proposal. We’re now having a budget hearing without a budget request. So, Director Patel, where is the FY 2026 budget request for the FBI?”
    “It’s being worked on ma’am,” said Director Patel.
    “Have you reviewed it? Have you approved it?” Senator Murray continued to press.
    Director Patel responded, “Not yet.”
    Senator Murray asked for more details, “When will you get it?”
    “As soon as I can get it from my interagency partners and get it approved,” Director Patel replied.
    “Six months from now?” Senator Murray pressed.
    Director Patel continued to provide no details, stating: “I don’t know ma’am. I’m not going to make up a timeline.”
    Senator Murray pushed back, “Well, how do we as a Congress do our budget and our work without that request and without the spend plan?”
    Director Patel demurred, stating, in part: “I’m doing the best I can.”
    Senator Murray emphasized, “That is insufficient and deeply disturbing. No response?”
    Director Patel stated, “I have given my response.”
    [PATEL WALKS BACK CRITICISM OF TRUMP BUDGET REQUEST]
    Senator Murray then asked Director Patel about his apparent disagreement with President Trump’s budget request for the FBI. On Wednesday, Patel told House appropriators that he disagreed with the more than half a billion dollar proposed cut to the FBI budget that President Trump asked Congress to make in his preliminary request submitted last week. Patel told House lawmakers: “We have not looked at who to cut. We are focusing our energies on how not to have them cut by coming in here and highlighting to you that we can’t do the mission on those 2011 budget levels.” On Wednesday, Patel said the FBI actually requested an increase in the request it submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    “Well, the FBI is already down 1,900 employees since 2023 as a direct result of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. And under the Trump administration, FBI agents, analysts, linguists, cyber experts, and scientists are being asked to do a lot more in order to keep us safe. Director Patel, we all know that budget cuts will reduce the FBI’s ability to counter threats of terrorism, and it will hinder its ability to keep pace with firearm background checks, and shutter operations that combat violent crime, drugs, gangs, and transnational organized crime,” said Senator Murray. “Now, I understand that you told our House colleagues yesterday that you don’t want to reduce the FBI workforce—meaning that you disagree with what President Trump is proposing?”
    “No, I agree that we can sustain the mission with the proposed budget, and I agree with the budget,” replied Director Patel—walking back his sharp criticism of the funding levels for FBI in President Trump’s proposed budget.
    “That’s different than what you told the House yesterday. What are you communicating to the President and the White House about what you need, and again, we don’t have a budget request from you, so I’m not sure what you are asking us for,” pressed Senator Murray.  
    Director Patel said, “I’m not asking you for anything at this time.”
    Senator Murray asked, “You can operate without a budget?”
    “I never said that,” replied Director Patel.
    Without further details, Senator Murray said, “Well, this is unprecedented. Ok, well, let me just go to another topic, since you are not going to answer that.”
    [CUTS TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT]
    Senator Murray then asked Director Patel about how the FBI’s mission is affected by the sweeping cuts in funding the Trump administration has already made for its local law enforcement partners, stating: “The FBI partners with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement organizations. They provide critical intelligence and operational capabilities to combat violent crime, gangs, terrorist threats, and fentanyl trafficking—challenges that our local communities really can’t face alone. I’m going to give you an example. A few years ago, the Southeast Washington Safe Streets FBI task force worked with our Benton County and Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices, multiple Tri-Cities’ police departments, and the state corrections department to carry out one of the largest-ever drug seizures in the region’s history. Now we’ve got an administration already cutting more than $800 million in assistance in 2025 to local law enforcement organizations while proposing a half billion dollar cut for the FBI. Director Patel, can you explain to this Committee how cutting resources for our local law enforcement partner agencies the FBI relies on to help your bureau keep people safe, how do you expect the FBI and local law enforcement to do more without those significant resources they need?”
    “The FBI will continue to do what it does, which is work with embedded state and local law enforcement officers in our joint terrorism task force, the street task force, and our gang task forces. Those are a priority. Those billets have been maintained. Those billets have not been reduced. And with my reorientation, reprogramming—that we’ve notified congress to—you will see an augmentation in the field in every single state in this country,” replied Director Patel, dodging the question in its entirety.
    Senator Murray noted, “Again, we need to see the numbers and we need to see that budget from you.”
    [BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM]
    She continued her questioning by pressing Director Patel on whether he will maintain the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)and support adequate funding for it, stating: “The FBI is really on the front lines of keeping guns out of the hands of very dangerous criminals. The NICS serves a really critical role in enhancing national security and public safety by conducting background checks, you know this. They are supported by the vast majority of American people. And I wanted to ask you this morning: will you commit to continuing to fund and run the FBI background check system?”
    “Yes,” replied Director Patel.
    [POLITICIZATION OF FBI]
    Senator Murray concluded her questions by grilling Director Patel on how the FBI is focusing its resources: “President Trump has turned the Department of Justice into a tool to go after his perceived enemies, and many of the actions we have now seen at the FBI are alarming. The FBI has reassigned and pushed out career FBI agents for political reasons. We’ve seen fear and intimidation promoted throughout the Bureau, including by polygraphing your own staff. We’ve seen the arrest of a sitting judge in Wisconsin. During your confirmation hearing, you committed that there would be no politicization, no retribution at the FBI under your leadership. You have reportedly placed FBI employees responsible for investigation January 6th cases on leave. Is that keeping up your promise of no politicization, no retribution?”
    Director Patel avoided the question, saying, “It is because that is wildly inaccurate. Let me tell you what the FBI has done since I got there…—”
    Senator Murray interjected, “Well, that is not my question.”
    Director Patel again demurred.
    “But you have placed on leave FBI employees responsible for the investigation of January 6, that sounds political to me,” Senator Murray pressed.
    “I have not placed anyone on leave who has not violated their ethical obligation or their oath to the constitution,” Director Patel said.
    Senator Murray asked, “So, if they were investigating January 6, you believe they were violating an ethic obligation?”
    “Nope, I think the common theme here is you putting words in my mouth and I am not going to tolerate it, nor will the men or women of the FBI,” Director Patel said.
    “Well, you did place on leave an analyst responsible for investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election. Is that politicization, is that retribution?” Senator Murray pushed back.
    Director Patel continued to dodge the question, “No, not if she broke the law or the ethical guidelines. I don’t know which case you are talking about but that’s the standard. We will hold ourselves inordinately accountable and we will not be strayed from our mission because people think we are politicizing the bureau. If you want to talk about someone who is attacked by a weaponized bureau, you are looking at him and now he’s the director of the FBI and he’s cleaning it up.”
    Senator Murray concluded by emphasizing: “Well, I would just say to everyone who is listening, The FBI needs to be focused on its mission to keep the entire country safe, it should not be weaponized for partisan political gain.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Booker, Lieu Reintroduce Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D, CA-36) reintroduced their Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, legislation that would ban so-called “conversion therapy,” a practice fraudulently claiming to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The practice has been recognized by the national community of professionals in health, education, social work, and counseling as being both dangerous and useless. Senator Murray first introduced the legislation in the 114th Congress and has pushed to pass it every Congress since.
    “Conversion therapy is based on the hateful idea that being part of the LGBTQ+ community is an illness that requires treatment. It’s a dangerous sham practice that has been completely debunked and should be banned nationwide—and that’s what our legislation would do,” said Senator Murray. “Our kids deserve to be raised and taught in loving environments that affirm who they are. I’ll keep fighting for a world where every person, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, can live with dignity and without fear.”
    “There is no place in health care for practices rooted in hateful ideology that harms vulnerable children who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Senator Booker. “Being LGBTQ+ is not an illness, and conversion therapy is a fraudulent treatment that tells children their identity is an illness that must be cured. This legislation would clarify that under the FTC that ‘conversion therapy’ in exchange for monetary compensation is illegal, and ensure that no child is a victim to this discredited, harmful practice.”
    “Conversion therapy is a scam that hurts LGBTQ kids,” said Rep. Lieu. “Using fake science and unearned credentials, conversion therapists prey on vulnerable kids to convince them that who they are is not okay. Major medical organizations oppose the practice because it is harmful and ineffective. We’re overdue for a national ban and I am pleased to once again partner with Senators Murray and Booker on this bill.”
    In addition to Senators Murray and Booker, the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act was cosponsored by Senators Baldwin, Bennet, Blumenthal, Cantwell, Coons, Cortez-Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Fetterman, Gillibrand, Hassan, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Hirono, Kaine, Kelly, Kim, King, Klobuchar, Lujan, Markey, Merkley, Murphy, Padilla, Reed, Rosen, Sanders, Schiff, Shaheen, Slotkin, Smith, Van Hollen, Warren, Welch, Whitehouse, and Wyden. The legislation was introduced in the House with 70 original cosponsors.
    The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus, Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, American Academy of Pediatrics, Equality California, National Association of School Psychologists, Christopher Street Project, and Advocates for Trans Equality.
    “The American Psychological Association thanks Representative Ted Lieu, Senator Patty Murray, and Senator Cory Booker for the reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act,” said American Psychological Association CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “This bill would ban so-called conversion therapy by labeling it a fraudulent practice under the Federal Trade Commission’s authority. APA has a long history of opposing sexual orientation change therapy based on peer-reviewed research studies. APA has also adopted several policies concluding that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation. We support this bill and stand ready to advocate for its passage.”
    “The reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act is a critical step forward in protecting LGBTQ+ individuals, especially our youth, from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. The bill affirms that no one should profit from misleading and dangerous attempts to change something that is not a choice: a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The scientific and medical communities have overwhelmingly rejected conversion therapy, and this bill further ensures that practices that cause real long-term harm have no place in our society. We thank Senators Murray and Booker and Representative Lieu for their leadership on this issue,” said Human Rights Campaign Director of Government Affairs Jennifer Pike Bailey.
    “We all want kids to be healthy and safe. Yet LGBTQ+ youth across the country are in crisis today as they hear messages of rejection — not just from peers or online bullies, but from adults and systems meant to protect them. All young people deserve to live authentically as who they are and be protected from dangerous, discredited conversion therapy practices that are associated with greater suicide risk and have been condemned by every major U.S. professional medical and mental health association,” said Mark Henson, Interim Vice President of Advocacy & Government Affairs, The Trevor Project. “No amount of talk or pressure can make someone change their sexual orientation or gender identity—decades of research show it simply doesn’t work . The Trevor Project applauds the reintroduction of the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025, which will help protect LGBTQ+ youth from being subjected to these harmful practices and instead celebrate them for who they are.”
    “Like most people with health questions, the LGBTQ+ people, parents and allies of PFLAG work together with their doctors, who follow standards of care and clinical guidelines that have been recognized as authoritative for decades by trusted mainstream medical organizations like the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association. These and every mainstream medical association denounce practices of so-called conversion ‘therapy’ as discredited and dangerous,” said Brian K. Bond (he/him/his), CEO of PFLAG National. “The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act would protect vulnerable people who are seeking trusted help from being lured into a pretense for dangerous conversion therapies. PFLAG National thanks Congressman Lieu and Senator Murray for their leadership in reintroducing this important bill.”
    Text of the legislation is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Grills Kristi Noem on Frozen Disaster Relief, Slams Trump’s Lawless, Inhumane Immigration Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: In Senate Floor Speech, Senator Murray Calls Out Trump’s Staggeringly Lawless and Inhumane Immigration Policy
    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks and questioning***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing on the FY26 budget for the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, blasted the Trump administration’s lawless and inhumane immigration policies and grilled Secretary Kristi Noem on her Department’s sweeping funding freeze, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief and public safety grants, and its plans to weaken FEMA and recent denials of disaster declarations.
    In opening comments, Vice Chair Murray said:
    “As Senator Murphy mentioned in his opening statement, Secretary Noem, under your leadership, we have seen you ignore our appropriations laws, our constitution, common sense, and even basic humanity.
    “Like a lot of Americans, I really have been horrified by the lawlessness, incompetence, and cruelty we have all witnessed.
    “And for all the talk about going after criminals—you have sidetracked DHS staff who are investigating drug dealers, terrorists, human traffickers.
    “And rather than photo ops, we need more of your focus on providing basic diligence, because your crackdown has roped in American citizens and people who are here legally, with no criminal record.
    “Now, I’m not going to ask you whether that was right or wrong—I know it’s wrong. The world knows it’s wrong.
    “And I think the first thing history is going to say about your leadership is that you were responsible for so many of these travesties, so I’m deeply concerned.
    “You have deported a four-year-old U.S. citizen with cancer, you’ve disappeared people to a notorious prison in El Salvador, and you have spent $100 million in taxpayer dollars to air TV ads thanking President Trump.
    “That is really reckless, it’s unacceptable, and in my opinion, cannot continue. The American people are paying for this with our taxpayer dollars—and with their most basic rights.”
    [DEVASTATING FEMA FUNDING FREEZE]
    Senator Murray began her questioning by detailing how Secretary Noem and the Trump administration have so far frozen or cancelled over $100 billion in FEMA disaster relief and grants approved by Congress, stating: “We are talking about everything from disaster relief to grants that keep people safe. But when my staff has requested information on the status of this unacceptable hold-up, the Department failed to provide any acceptable justification. This illegal freeze—and it is illegal—is taking a real toll on communities who are waiting on the investments that Congress has delivered.” Senator Murray asked Secretary Noem, “Will you commit to immediately unpausing these funds?”
    Secretary Noem dodged, stating: “Well, Senator, thank you for covering a lot of topics there. Let me touch on a few of those right away. What the Trump administration is doing, I know he’s targeting the law for the first time…”
    Senator Murray interjected: “I’m asking you about the funds that are out there.”
    Secretary Noem again completely demurred: “Under the Biden administration, illegal aliens were prioritized over American citizens. Now the scales of justice have been leveled, citizens are treated the same.”
    Senator Murray continued to push, “Madam Chair, I am going to reclaim my time, because I asked you a specific question. Madam Secretary, I know your answer—I heard it previously. I’m asking you a specific question.”
    “The grants that you are referencing have been paused and reevaluated to make sure that they are truly being spent in the way to which they were appropriated,” replied Secretary Noem. “Many of these grants were being diverted—”
    Senator Murray interjected, “Madam Secretary, these funds were passed on a bipartisan basis by members in this Congress.”
    Secretary Noem continued to refuse to answer the question directly, and Senator Murray responded: “Madam Chair, we are talking about $100 billion [in frozen FEMA funding and grants]. It is not credible that all the recipients—it is not credible that $100 billion is used to break the law—that just cannot be true.”
    [OVERSPENDING AT DHS]
    Senator Murray moved on, stating: “On the other hand, I am very concerned that DHS is now dramatically overspending funding that Congress has not provided. If you were a CEO doing that, I don’t think you’d be in your job long. We need accountability, and we need answers. And that includes informative responses to oversight questions sent to the department over the last three months. I am ranking member on this committee. I have worked with every member of this committee. We take our responsibility seriously to fund your department and others. We need to have answers, we need to have accountability, and we need to make sure you’re not overspending money that you were not allocated.”
    Secretary Noem said, “Well, thank you for that question… I’ve worked many, many jobs in my life, but I also have been a CEO.”
    “I’m not questioning your credentials, I’m questioning your spending,” Senator Murray responded.
    Secretary Noem avoided answering the question directly, but conceded that as her Department spends at a rate beyond what Congress has appropriated, she is hopeful Republicans will provide new funding mid-way through the fiscal year through their partisan reconciliation process, stating: “We are prioritizing where our security needs are in this country, and we are hoping that this body will agree that reconciliation is necessary to address the things that have been neglected in this country for too long, that we have the technology upgrades, the manpower upgrades that are necessary. So, the $170 billion request for the Department of Homeland Security is incredibly important to make sure we have the tools that we need.”
    “The fact is that you’ve not been given this funding. Saying that it’s going to come in reconciliation that has not passed is not an acceptable answer,” replied Senator Murray.
    [DISASTER RELIEF]
    Senator Murray turned to discussing FEMA and disaster relief, stating: “A lot of disaster relief has been politicized. You’ve endorsed eliminating FEMA outright. We have seen an upheaval at FEMA that is going to put lives in jeopardy. One in five FEMA employees have been pushed out, taking this administration’s so-called buyout offer. We are losing indispensable staff just weeks away from fire and hurricane season, and over $100 billion in disaster relief and FEMA grants are still being held up. DHS is making it a lot harder to qualify for relief, something people in my home state of Washington are experiencing firsthand. Multiple requests from governors have been rejected in recent weeks, including a request from our state, and we haven’t been given any response about this. And I’m watching this and I’m thinking: has President Trump directed you to prioritize funding for Republican states?”
    “Absolutely not,” said Secretary Noem.
    “Have you directed your staff to prioritize funding to Republican led states over Democratic states?” Senator Murray asked.
    “Absolutely not. Under this administration, there will not be any politicization of support, relief, FEMA assistance, or grants given based on politics. Every single person will be treated the same,” committed Secretary Noem, in part.
    “Madam Secretary, there is a clear trend of Republican led states getting very fast responses and funding. Democrat led states are being forced to wait. We have never treated FEMA as a partisan issue in this country,” concluded Senator Murray.
    Last month, Senator Murray took to the Senate floor to slam Trump’s lawless immigration policy, highlighting the absence of any semblance of due process, and demanding full details of the secret agreement with El Salvador and the names and status of all the individuals sent to El Salvador. In April, she also met with farmworkers, advocates, and community members in Washington state to listen to their concerns amid a recent spike in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity—including large-scale raids and the detention of local activists and leaders. Senator Murray has championed comprehensive, humane, and fair immigration reform throughout her Senate career, repeatedly pushing for legislative solutions that would offer a fair pathway to citizenship for the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants living in America, including Dreamers, farmworkers, and those with Temporary Protected Status. During Trump’s first administration, Senator Murray helped lead the charge in pushing back against Trump’s appalling treatment of migrant children and families at the southern border—cosponsoring the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act, which would require unaccompanied children and vulnerable individuals to be provided with legal assistance during immigration court proceedings, the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act to end family separations at the border, and legislation to prevent the separation of families at sensitive locations such as schools, religious institutions, and hospitals, among many other efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Conversation between Mikhail Mishustin and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The meeting took place as part of the official visit of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to the Russian Federation.

    From the transcript:

    M. Mishustin: Good afternoon, dear comrade To Lam!

    Welcome to the Government House of the Russian Federation.

    I remember mine with great warmth visit to Hanoi in January of this year. And I would like to ask you to take this opportunity to convey my greetings and best wishes to the President of Vietnam, esteemed comrade Luong Cuong, and also to my colleague, Prime Minister comrade Pham Minh Tinh.

    We are sincerely glad for your personal participation in the celebrations on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. This is a significant date for the peoples of Russia and Vietnam, who carefully preserve the historical memory of the feat of the generation of victors.

    One of the important results of World War II was the proclamation of Vietnamese independence in September 1945.

    On the eve of your visit, April 30, 50 years passed since the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country. I cordially congratulate you and all Vietnamese comrades and citizens on this anniversary. We are rightfully proud of our country’s contribution to the victory of the heroic Vietnamese people in the struggle for freedom and independence.

    Along with participation in the ceremonial events in Moscow, you will also hold talks with the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. I would like to assure you that the Government of Russia will ensure prompt implementation of the decisions that will be taken at the highest level.

    Vietnam is an important partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. This year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. And we are interested in further strengthening the Russian-Vietnamese comprehensive strategic partnership.

    We are paying priority attention to increasing trade and economic cooperation and increasing mutual trade turnover. New joint projects in the fields of energy, transport, industry, agriculture, high technology and digital are also being developed. The Russian-Vietnamese intergovernmental commission, headed by my deputy Dmitry Chernyshenko from the Russian side, is actively working.

    We attach particular importance to the development of direct interaction between the regions of Russia and Vietnam. We will continue to create favorable conditions for the launch of new joint ventures, primarily with the participation of small and medium businesses.

    We also value humanitarian ties with Vietnam. Our countries have a rich national heritage. Russian classical literature is well known in Vietnam. Russia helped its Vietnamese friends create national ballet and opera.

    More and more Russian tourists visit Vietnam, get acquainted with its unique culture and art. And my stay in hospitable Hanoi, Vietnam left the warmest memories.

    I am ready to discuss with you the most pressing issues of interaction between Russia and Vietnam. Please, you have the floor, esteemed comrade To Lam.

    To be continued…

    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: Rep. Norcross Returns Home After Recent Medical Incident

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

    CHERRY HILL, NJ — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross returned home following his brief stay at a rehabilitation facility. His recovery has been going incredibly smoothly and his “Jersey fight” is on full display. In the coming weeks he is expected to continue outpatient rehabilitation and his medical team will be removing his gallbladder. He continues to stay in constant contact with his staff and is engaging in various meetings in South Jersey and on the issues in Washington D.C. 

    “It is good to be home. I owe a debt of immense gratitude to the incredible health professionals at Cooper Hospital who saved my life and have been instrumental in helping me recover so quickly,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “I want to sincerely thank the incredible South Jersey community for the outpouring of prayers, cards, calls and well wishes. Be assured that I will continue to fight for our seniors, veterans and hard working families each and every day.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: One Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Official Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violation for Failing to Obtain Medical Care for an Inmate Who Died

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    She and a Second Official Also Sentenced for Making False Statements in the Federal Investigation

    Former Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) lieutenant Shronda Covington, 49, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison followed by 12 months of home confinement and three years of supervised release for violating the civil rights of an inmate in her custody and control by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs, resulting in the inmate suffering, bodily injury, and for lying to federal investigators about the offense. The inmate later died of injuries he sustained over the course of a 30-hour period spanning Jan. 9 and 10, 2021.

    Former BOP nurse Tonya Farley, 54, was also sentenced today to six months in prison, six months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release for lying to federal investigators about the circumstances of the death of the inmate, who was entrusted to her care.

    According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Covington was on duty and working in her official capacity at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg, Virginia, on Jan. 9, 2021. She willfully failed to ensure that the inmate, a 47-year-old man identified as W.W., was provided with necessary medical care during her shift, even though she knew that W.W. had serious medical needs, and W.W. suffered bodily injury as a result. Covington was also found guilty of making false statements to federal agents about the incident.

    Another BOP official, former lieutenant Michael Anderson, previously pleaded guilty for his role in the inmate’s death and was sentenced to three years in prison.

    “Federal correctional officials who fail to do their jobs at the cost of inmate safety should be held accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Further, officials who obstruct investigations of their misconduct violate the public’s trust.”

    “Custody includes a responsibility for safety and wellbeing,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Corrections staff must uphold that responsibility for persons in their care – or they will be held accountable for their failure to do so, like the defendants in this case.”

    “This case is a powerful reminder that BOP officials who disregard their responsibility to provide a humane environment for inmates will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Tim Edmiston of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region.

    Evidence presented at trial established that, in the early morning hours of Jan. 9, 2021, W.W.’s cellmate reported to facility staff that W.W. was exhibiting unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly disoriented, unable to talk, unable to stand or walk without falling, and unable to control his bladder. Over the course of two days, BOP officials knew of but disregarded W.W.’s symptoms.

    Without medical attention to address his medical crisis, W.W. fell into walls and other objects numerous times, causing significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Although BOP policy requires staff to provide necessary medical care to inmates, defendant Covington failed to respond to repeated calls for help from the officers she supervised during her shift on the morning of Jan. 9, 2021.

    On the morning of Jan. 10, 2021, W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell, where — despite inmate-observers’ continued calls for help — he lay for an hour and 40 minutes before officers rendered aid. An autopsy concluded that W.W. died of blunt force trauma to his head and that the lack of medical assistance he received during his series of falls and after his last fall contributed to his death.

    Farley was the last medical provider to see W.W. before his death. Despite BOP policies requiring her to confer with a physician about W.W.’s care, and despite Farley’s admission that she should have conferred with a physician and sent W.W. to the hospital, Farley failed to take these steps. She then falsely told federal investigators that she had conferred with a physician, even though she had not done so. Farley also misled investigators about her conversations with another prison official.

    The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Katherine McCallister of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Corrections Officer Sentenced to Prison For Federal Civil Rights Crime in Connection with Death of Inmate at West Virginia Jail

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A former corrections officer from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, was sentenced today for his role in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Steven Nicholas Wimmer, 25, of Bluefield, was sentenced to nine years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    With his guilty plea, Wimmer acknowledged that he responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer. The officers restrained and handcuffed Q.B. Officers, including Wimmer, then escorted Q.B. to an interview room, where officers struck and injured Q.B. while he was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone. Wimmer admitted that officers struck Q.B. in the interview room in order to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned pod. Wimmer further admitted that he was a member of the conspiracy who injured Q.B. inside the interview room while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed, and posed no threat.

    Wimmer and former Southern Regional Jail corrections officer Andrew Fleshman pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, 2023, to conspiring with other officers to use unreasonable force against Q.B. Fleshman, 22, of Shady Spring, is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14. On Nov. 29, 2023, a federal grand jury indicted six other defendants in connection with the death of Q.B. In November 2024, former correctional officers Mark Holdren, Corey Snyder, and Johnathan Walters each pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B., resulting in his death. Sentencing hearings for Holdren, Snyder, and Walters are scheduled for June 16. On Aug. 8, 2024, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to violating Q.B.’s civil rights by failing to intervene when other officers used unreasonable force. Sentencing hearings for Boothe and Toney are scheduled for June 9.

    On January 27, a federal jury convicted defendant Chad Lester, a former Lieutenant at the Southern Regional Jail, on three obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up the death of Q.B. Lester is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa G. Johnston for the Southern District of West Virginia made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Pittsburgh Field Office investigated the case.

    Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed the sentence. Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case in partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-cr-134.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Honduran Men Sentenced to Prison for their Roles in International Human Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Note: See superseding indictment here.

    Two Honduran men were sentenced today to three years in prison for their roles in a scheme to illegally smuggle Honduran nationals into the United States.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, for almost a year, Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya, 29, and Rudy Jackson Hernandez, 38, both of Utila, Honduras, conspired with at least six others to bring Honduran nationals from Honduras to the United States via two vessels, the Masita III and the M/V Pop. The vessels sailed from Utila, Honduras to Louisiana. The aliens and/or their family members paid thousands of dollars to be brought illegally into the United States by boat. Upon arrival, the aliens were picked up by co-conspirators and driven further into the United States. The co-conspirators then placed some of the aliens in jobs at U.S. factories and other businesses knowing that the aliens lacked authorization to enter, remain, or work in the United States. The defendants were part of the vessels’ crew on multiple voyages.

    In February 2022, the defendants attempted to illegally bring 23 Honduran nationals from Utila, Honduras, to Cocodrie, Louisiana, aboard the M/V Pop, a 65’ sportfishing vessel. During the voyage, the M/V Pop developed engine trouble and lost power. The co-conspirators then chartered a boat to bring fuel to the disabled vessel so that it could complete its journey to the United States. Before the chartered boat reached the disabled vessel, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted the vessel approximately 75 miles off the coast of Louisiana and towed it to shore. Inside the vessel, law enforcement officers also found 24 kilograms of cocaine.

    Cooper Zelaya and Jackson Hernandez were convicted after trial of conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain.

    The lead defendant in the case, Carl Allison, previously pleaded guilty in December 2023 to conspiracy to unlawfully bring aliens to the United States for financial gain and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride. Three additional co-conspirators, all Honduran nationals, pleaded guilty last year for their roles in the scheme: Darrel Martinez, 41, and Josue Flores-Villeda, 36, pleaded guilty to the same charges as Allison; and Lenord Cooper, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and assist aliens to enter the United States unlawfully and attempting to bring aliens to the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain. A fifth man, Honduran national Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, was extradited from Honduras in April and is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Maldonado’s trial is scheduled for June 16. An indictment is merely an allegation, and Maldonado is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office made the announcement.

    The HSI Houma, Louisiana Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the HSI Pittsburgh Field Office, HSI Atlanta Field Office, and Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. The HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations, Louisiana State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, North Huntington Township Police, and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided valuable assistance.

    Deputy Chief Rami Badawy of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice for the Eastern District of Louisiana prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) and the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) in Honduras provided assistance.

    The sentencings are the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, OIA, and OPDAT, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 365 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 334 U.S. convictions; more than 281 significant jail sentences imposed; and substantial seizures and forfeitures of assets and contraband including millions of dollars in cash, real property, vehicles, firearms and ammunition, and drugs.

    This case is also supported by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. The ECT program is a partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI and focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence, and prosecutorial resources. ECT also coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tennessee Man Indicted on Arson and Explosive Charges for Setting Fire to Nonprofit Organization

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    A federal grand jury in Knoxville, Tennessee returned an indictment on May 7, charging Regan Darby Prater, 27, with arson for firebombing the Highlander Center, a nonprofit research and education center in New Market, Tennessee; and with carrying an explosive device during the commission of the arson. Prater appeared in court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill E. McCook and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. He was held pending trial, which has been set for July 15 in United States District Court, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

    According to court documents, on March 29, 2019, Prater used an explosive to firebomb the Highlander Center’s administrative building, resulting in a fire that consumed the entire structure. Court documents also allege that Prater was inspired by the March 15, 2019, mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, and left a symbol of the Iron Guard, a World War II-era Romanian Nazi organization, spraypainted in the Highlander Center’s parking lot. The same symbol appeared on the Christchurch gunman’s rifle as he livestreamed his attacks.

    If convicted, Prater faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison on the arson charge, and an additional ten years in prison on the explosive charge.

    Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III for the Eastern District of Tennessee; and Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI Knoxville Resident Agency investigated the case, with assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey T. Arrowood and Anne-Marie Svolto of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Kyle Boynton and Katherine McCallister of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

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

    MIL Security OSI –