Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The Importance Of It All...
22 November 2012 - Media release
Nearly 400 victims of child trafficking rescued across Burkina Faso in INTERPOL-led operation
OUGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Nearly 400 child trafficking victims, some as young as six years old, forced to work in illegally-operated gold mines and cotton fields have been rescued following an operation by police in Burkina Faso coordinated by INTERPOL.
Some 165 police officers, together with officials from customs, social and health services took part in Operation Tuy which targeted sites in Ougadougou, Houndé and Bobo Dioulasso, resulting in 73 individuals being arrested in connection with child trafficking and labour offences.
During the two-day (29 and 30 October) operation, 387 children were discovered working under extreme conditions, lowered into narrow, airless mining holes up to 70 metres in depth, receiving no salary or education, with young girls often also subjected to sexual abuse. The victims have now been returned to their families or taken into care by social services.
“This was the largest operation of its kind run in Burkina Faso supported by INTERPOL and its success is a direct result of the commitment and support of the government, police and other agencies,” said Henri Guida Blemin, specialist officer with INTERPOL’s Trafficking in Human Beings unit which helped coordinate the operation.
“The conditions under which these children are forced to live and work are horrific, and INTERPOL will continue to work closely with all its member countries to identify and stop the exploitation of these innocent victims and help them regain the childhood they deserve,” added Mr Blemin.
Prior to Operation Tuy, more than 100 officials from the national police, gendarmerie, customs, welfare, water and forestry services took part in a three-day specialist course. Training was provided by specialist officers from the INTERPOL International Trafficking in Human Beings Task Force, including from Canada, the Regional Bureau in Abidjan as well as its National Central Bureau in Ougadougou, in addition to police, health and education specialists from Burkina Faso.
“The success of the operation is not just about the number of victims rescued, but it is also about making sure the infrastructure and knowledge is in place for this important work to continue, which is why the training is just as important as the fieldwork. If the officers don’t have the skills they cannot do their work and efforts achieved cannot be sustained,” said Mr Blemin.
“Information gathered during the operation will also help in identifying and dismantling the criminal networks behind this crime at the national, regional and international levels,” he added.
Tuy is INTERPOL’s fifth operation targeting forced child labour in Africa. Operations Bia (2009), Cascades and Bana (2010) and Bia II (2011) have already led to the rescue of more than 400 children across Central and Western Africa and the arrest of 93 individuals.
11/27/1974..The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom!
11/27/1974..The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom!
28 November 2012 Last updated at 07:48 ET Share this pageEmailPrint 427 Largest trial of 'Dirty War' crimes starts in Argentina Many victims were killed during "death flights", their bodies dropped into the Atlantic Ocean Continue reading the main story Related Stories Argentina ex-junta leaders jailed Argentine 'Dirty War' body named Argentina's Dirty War lessons for the world A court in Argentina is beginning hearings in the largest trial of crimes committed during the so-called "Dirty War" between 1976 and 1983. Sixty-eight former officials face 800 charges of kidnap, torture and murder associated with an elite naval college. Among the defendants are Alfredo Astiz, known as the Blonde Angel of Death, and eight former "death flight" pilots. Tens of thousands of Argentines were kidnapped and killed by the military junta during their years in power. The deadliest of the regime's secret detention camps was the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) in the capital, Buenos Aires. Five thousand people were sent to the grandiose three-storey stone building in an upmarket northern suburb. Very few survived their time in cells in the basement and attic and the bodies of many have never been recovered. A heart carved into the wall in a detention cell at the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) where the crimes in this trial were committed Some were allegedly burnt and their remains disposed of. Others were drugged and dropped from planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time in Argentina, the pilots of those "death flights" are on trial, among them former naval lieutenant Julio Poch, who was extradited to Argentina from Spain in 2010 after allegedly confessing to the part he played to colleagues at the Dutch airline Transavia. Another defendant, former naval captain Emir Sisul Hess, allegedly told relatives of the dead how sleeping victims "fell like little ants" from his plane. The trial is part of a continuing series of actions against Argentine officers and other officials associated with the military dictatorship. Amnesty Legal action began once democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, but President Raul Alfonsin brought an end to the trials in 1986, arguing the country needed to look to the future and not the past. Three laws granting amnesty for crimes committed during the Dirty War were passed in 1986 and 1987. These were overturned in 2003. Since then some of the most high-profile figures from the regime have been convicted, including the de facto presidents Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone. Continue reading the main story Justice in Argentina 1976: Military overthrow President Isabel Martinez de Peron 1983: Raul Alfonsin elected president after collapse of dictatorship 1985: Gen Jorge Videla convicted 1986: Full Stop Law passed granting immunity to military 1990: President Carlos Menem issues pardons to Gen Videla and other officers 2003: Repeal of blanket amnesty 2010: Gen Videla reconvicted Gen Videla had already been convicted of homicide, torture and kidnap amongst other crimes in 1985, but he was given an amnesty by President Carlos Menem in 1990. About 250 convictions have been secured, including Alfredo Astiz, who last year was given a life sentence for the part he played in infiltrating left-wing groups and betraying their members to the regime. A number of Esma officials have already been tried but human rights lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon told the Associated Press: "This was, is and will be the largest trial of crimes against humanity. "There are 68 defendants charged in 800 cases, and we estimate there will be some 900 witnesses," Among the witnesses will be Graciela Palacio Lois, whose husband Ricardo never returned from a meeting of the Peronist University Youth movement in 1976. She says she is nervous about giving evidence. "It's one thing looking at them from the other side of the glass in the viewing gallery. But it's another thing sitting in the witness area with them in front of you." The trial is expected to last two years.
09/08/1991..Happy B-Day Christopher Joseph..Love Mom
The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom!
427 Largest trial of 'Dirty War' crimes starts in Argentina Many victims were killed during "death flights", their bodies dropped into the Atlantic Ocean Continue reading the main story Related Stories Argentina ex-junta leaders jailed Argentine 'Dirty War' body named Argentina's Dirty War lessons for the world A court in Argentina is beginning hearings in the largest trial of crimes committed during the so-called "Dirty War" between 1976 and 1983. Sixty-eight former officials face 800 charges of kidnap, torture and murder associated with an elite naval college. Among the defendants are Alfredo Astiz, known as the Blonde Angel of Death, and eight former "death flight" pilots. Tens of thousands of Argentines were kidnapped and killed by the military junta during their years in power. The deadliest of the regime's secret detention camps was the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) in the capital, Buenos Aires. Five thousand people were sent to the grandiose three-storey stone building in an upmarket northern suburb. Very few survived their time in cells in the basement and attic and the bodies of many have never been recovered. A heart carved into the wall in a detention cell at the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) where the crimes in this trial were committed Some were allegedly burnt and their remains disposed of. Others were drugged and dropped from planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time in Argentina, the pilots of those "death flights" are on trial, among them former naval lieutenant Julio Poch, who was extradited to Argentina from Spain in 2010 after allegedly confessing to the part he played to colleagues at the Dutch airline Transavia. Another defendant, former naval captain Emir Sisul Hess, allegedly told relatives of the dead how sleeping victims "fell like little ants" from his plane. The trial is part of a continuing series of actions against Argentine officers and other officials associated with the military dictatorship. Amnesty Legal action began once democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, but President Raul Alfonsin brought an end to the trials in 1986, arguing the country needed to look to the future and not the past. Three laws granting amnesty for crimes committed during the Dirty War were passed in 1986 and 1987. These were overturned in 2003. Since then some of the most high-profile figures from the regime have been convicted, including the de facto presidents Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone. Continue reading the main story Justice in Argentina 1976: Military overthrow President Isabel Martinez de Peron 1983: Raul Alfonsin elected president after collapse of dictatorship 1985: Gen Jorge Videla convicted 1986: Full Stop Law passed granting immunity to military 1990: President Carlos Menem issues pardons to Gen Videla and other officers 2003: Repeal of blanket amnesty 2010: Gen Videla reconvicted Gen Videla had already been convicted of homicide, torture and kidnap amongst other crimes in 1985, but he was given an amnesty by President Carlos Menem in 1990. About 250 convictions have been secured, including Alfredo Astiz, who last year was given a life sentence for the part he played in infiltrating left-wing groups and betraying their members to the regime. A number of Esma officials have already been tried but human rights lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon told the Associated Press: "This was, is and will be the largest trial of crimes against humanity. "There are 68 defendants charged in 800 cases, and we estimate there will be some 900 witnesses," Among the witnesses will be Graciela Palacio Lois, whose husband Ricardo never returned from a meeting of the Peronist University Youth movement in 1976. She says she is nervous about giving evidence. "It's one thing looking at them from the other side of the glass in the viewing gallery. But it's another thing sitting in the witness area with them in front of you." The trial is expected to last two years.
11/27/1974..The Importance Of It All,Happy B-Day Carl..Love Mom!
28 November 2012 Last updated at 07:48 ET Share this pageEmailPrint
427
Largest trial of 'Dirty War' crimes starts in Argentina
Many victims were killed during "death flights", their bodies dropped into the Atlantic Ocean
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
Argentina ex-junta leaders jailed
Argentine 'Dirty War' body named
Argentina's Dirty War lessons for the world
A court in Argentina is beginning hearings in the largest trial of crimes committed during the so-called "Dirty War" between 1976 and 1983.
Sixty-eight former officials face 800 charges of kidnap, torture and murder associated with an elite naval college.
Among the defendants are Alfredo Astiz, known as the Blonde Angel of Death, and eight former "death flight" pilots.
Tens of thousands of Argentines were kidnapped and killed by the military junta during their years in power.
The deadliest of the regime's secret detention camps was the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) in the capital, Buenos Aires.
Five thousand people were sent to the grandiose three-storey stone building in an upmarket northern suburb.
Very few survived their time in cells in the basement and attic and the bodies of many have never been recovered.
A heart carved into the wall in a detention cell at the Naval School of Mechanics (Esma) where the crimes in this trial were committed
Some were allegedly burnt and their remains disposed of.
Others were drugged and dropped from planes flying over the Atlantic Ocean.
For the first time in Argentina, the pilots of those "death flights" are on trial, among them former naval lieutenant Julio Poch, who was extradited to Argentina from Spain in 2010 after allegedly confessing to the part he played to colleagues at the Dutch airline Transavia.
Another defendant, former naval captain Emir Sisul Hess, allegedly told relatives of the dead how sleeping victims "fell like little ants" from his plane.
The trial is part of a continuing series of actions against Argentine officers and other officials associated with the military dictatorship.
Amnesty
Legal action began once democracy returned to Argentina in 1983, but President Raul Alfonsin brought an end to the trials in 1986, arguing the country needed to look to the future and not the past.
Three laws granting amnesty for crimes committed during the Dirty War were passed in 1986 and 1987. These were overturned in 2003.
Since then some of the most high-profile figures from the regime have been convicted, including the de facto presidents Jorge Videla and Reynaldo Bignone.
Continue reading the main story
Justice in Argentina
1976: Military overthrow President Isabel Martinez de Peron
1983: Raul Alfonsin elected president after collapse of dictatorship
1985: Gen Jorge Videla convicted
1986: Full Stop Law passed granting immunity to military
1990: President Carlos Menem issues pardons to Gen Videla and other officers
2003: Repeal of blanket amnesty
2010: Gen Videla reconvicted
Gen Videla had already been convicted of homicide, torture and kidnap amongst other crimes in 1985, but he was given an amnesty by President Carlos Menem in 1990.
About 250 convictions have been secured, including Alfredo Astiz, who last year was given a life sentence for the part he played in infiltrating left-wing groups and betraying their members to the regime.
A number of Esma officials have already been tried but human rights lawyer Rodolfo Yanzon told the Associated Press: "This was, is and will be the largest trial of crimes against humanity.
"There are 68 defendants charged in 800 cases, and we estimate there will be some 900 witnesses,"
Among the witnesses will be Graciela Palacio Lois, whose husband Ricardo never returned from a meeting of the Peronist University Youth movement in 1976.
She says she is nervous about giving evidence.
"It's one thing looking at them from the other side of the glass in the viewing gallery. But it's another thing sitting in the witness area with them in front of you."
The trial is expected to last two years.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Treasury Designates Ibarra Cardona Drug Trafficking Organization
11/20/2012
Action Targets Major Methamphetamine Precursor Import Network
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated five individuals and three entities operating out of Tijuana, Mexico as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTs) pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act). OFAC designated Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona, the leader of a methamphetamine precursor import network which is responsible for supplying multiple tons of methamphetamine precursor material to the Sinaloa Cartel. In July 2009, Mexican authorities arrested Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona, and Subprocuraduría de Investigación Especializada en Delincuencia Organizada (SEIDO) charged Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona with the unlawful acquisition and procurement of ephedrine, a precursor used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
“Today’s designation of the Ibarra Cardona family and business network will significantly impair this organization’s ability to import methamphetamine precursor material from the United States and will disrupt the Sinaloa Cartel’s methamphetamine precursor supply chain,” said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin.
In addition to Luis Gerardo Ibarra Cardona, the network is comprised of his family members, including his father, Jose Gerardo Ibarra Favila, mother, Mayela Cardona Martinez, brother, Carlos Jesus Ivan Ibarra Cardona, and uncle, Pedro Cardona Martinez, all of whom were designated today. Additionally, the network operates three distributor companies, Distribuidora Germay S.A. de C.V., Distribuidora Germay de Sonora, S.A. DE C.V., and Comercializadora Cacho S.A. de C.V., all three of which are designated today.
Today’s action is the latest in a series of efforts by OFAC to thwart transnational drug cartels. The Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for distributing significant amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine to the United States. President Obama identified the Sinaloa Cartel as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker under the Kingpin Act in April 2009.
Today’s action, supported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Joint Field Command Arizona, and the U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security, is part of OFAC’s ongoing efforts under the Kingpin Act to apply financial measures against significant foreign narcotics traffickers worldwide. Internationally, OFAC has designated more than 1,200 businesses and individuals linked to 97 drug kingpins since June 2000. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1.075 million per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $5 million. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10 million. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison and fines for criminal violation of the Kingpin Act pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Peruvian reality show contestant slain after TV confession
Peruvian reality show contestant slain after TV confession
By Catherine E. Shoichet and Maria Elena Belaunde, CNN
updated 9:51 PM EDT, Tue September 25, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
A reality show contestant is found slain more than two months after she appears on TV
Authorities accuse her ex-boyfriend of killing her over prize money
Investigators are looking into what role the show played, Peru's attorney general says
Host: Critics of the show "are giving an alibi to a soulless criminal"
(CNN) -- A Peruvian reality show has become part of a real-life crime drama as authorities investigate the slaying of a contestant who appeared on the program.
Police found Ruth Thalia Sayas Sanchez's body Saturday, more than two months after the 19-year-old's on-air confession that she worked in a nightclub and twice accepted money for sex.
Investigators uncovered evidence of poison in her body and signs that she was strangled, Peruvian Attorney General Jose Pelaez told reporters.
Authorities accuse her ex-boyfriend of killing her because he felt he was entitled to some of the 15,000 soles ($5,700) she won on the show, according to police accounts reported by local media.
Sayas was the first contestant on "The Value of Truth," which features participants answering tough questions about their personal lives in front of an audience and loved ones. Before appearing on the show, contestants are subjected to a polygraph test to verify their responses.
Pelaez said investigators were looking into the role the show could have played in Sayas' death.
"The investigation will determine whether there is some degree of responsibility, even though it seems to me that it would be a responsibility that would not have a causal relation," he told reporters.
The teen's family has said the show did not cause her death.
"This television program has absolutely nothing to do with it,' said Freddy Sanchez Rojas, Sayas' uncle.
On Sunday, the president of Peru's Radio and Television Advisory Council cited Sayas' death as she called on media in the South American country to more closely monitor the contents of their programs.
"I think there is a marked tendency in our media to convert strong and difficult news into a show so everyone can see it. There is a concept of information and news that goes against the very people covered within the report," President Rosa Maria Alfaro said.
Facing increased scrutiny, the show's host has said the program is not responsible for her slaying.
Criticism of the show is unfair, host Beto Ortiz said.
"What they are doing is giving an alibi to the defenders of a soulless criminal, because they are taking away his responsibility by saying that television creates monsters," he said.
The Importance Of It All....Again!
SEPTEMBER 26, 2012NEWARK, NJ
Former employee of New Jersey defense contractor convicted of exporting sensitive military technology to China
NEWARK, N.J. — A federal jury Thursday convicted a former employee of a New Jersey-based defense contractor of exporting sensitive U.S. military technology to China, stealing trade secrets and lying to federal agents. The joint case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Sixing Liu, aka "Steve Liu," 49, a Chinese national, who had recently lived in Flanders, N.J., and Deerfield, Ill., was taken into custody following the verdict, based on risk of flight considerations. He is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 7, 2013 before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler.
"Exporting military weapons and technical data, and the theft of sensitive technology in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, are serious crimes with global consequences," Andrew McLees, special agent in charge of HSI Newark, said. "Illegal foreign procurement networks continue to threaten our safety and this conviction reinforces that HSI has no tolerance for those who try to undermine our nation's safety and security."
"The jury found that in order to promote himself, Liu took highly sensitive defense information and trade secrets to China, violating the rules of his company and the laws of this country, and then lied about it upon his return to the United States," District of New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. "We will not tolerate the exploitation of this country's opportunities through the theft of our secrets."
"This specific investigation is troubling on many levels," FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael B. Ward said. "Mr. Liu helped develop technology critical to our military, then took a computer with that information on an unauthorized trip to China to present at a conference sponsored by the Chinese government. The United States spends billions of dollars each year on research and development, and this ‘intellectual capital' is very attractive to others. If they are able to acquire this research, they can save billions and quickly develop their own products to compete against the United States, be it in the world economic market or on the battlefield."
Robert E. Perez, director of field operations for CBP New York, said, "This arrest demonstrates the determination of Customs and Border Protection's frontline officers, who work closely with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the American public from potential threats."
The jury convicted Liu of nine of the 11 counts in the second superseding indictment with which he was charged, including six counts of violating the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, one count of possessing stolen trade secrets in violation of the Economic Espionage Act of 1996, one count of transporting stolen property in interstate commerce and one count of lying to federal agents. The jury acquitted Liu on two counts of lying to federal agents.
According to court documents, in 2010, Liu stole thousands of electronic files from his employer, L-3 Communications, Space and Navigation Division, located in Budd Lake, N.J. The stolen files detailed the performance and design of guidance systems for missiles, rockets, target locators and unmanned aerial vehicles. Liu stole the files to position and prepare himself for future employment in China. As part of that plan, Liu delivered presentations about the technology at several Chinese universities, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and conferences organized by Chinese government entities. However, Liu was not charged with any crimes related to those presentations.
On Nov. 12, 2010, Liu boarded a flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to China. Upon his return to the United States Nov. 29, 2010, agents found Liu in possession of a non-work-issued computer found to contain the stolen material. The following day, Liu lied to agents of the Department of Homeland Security about the extent of his work on U.S. defense technology, which the jury found to be a criminal false statement.
The U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls later verified that several of the stolen files on Liu's computer contained export-controlled technical data that relates to defense items listed on the United States Munitions List (USML). Under federal regulations, items and data covered by the USML may not be exported without a license, which Liu did not obtain. The regulations also provide that it is the policy of the United States to deny licenses to export items and data covered by the USML to countries with which the United States maintains an arms embargo, including China.
The jury heard testimony that Liu's company trained him about the United States' export control laws and told him that most of the company's products were covered by those laws.
After the verdict, Judge Chesler ordered Liu taken into custody, citing the penalties Liu faces, his ties to China and the lack of an extradition treaty with China, among other reasons.
Liu faces the following maximum penalties, per count:
Export violations – 20 years in prison; $1 million fine,
Stolen trade secrets violation – 10 years in prison; $250,000 fine,
Interstate transportation of stolen property – 10 years in prison; $250,000 fine, and
False statement – five years in prison; $250,000 fine.
Operation Overtime...
SEPTEMBER 27, 2012SAN JUAN, PR
Operation Overtime nets 16 arrests for drug trafficking and money laundering
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Sixteen alleged members of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization responsible for the importation of multi-kilograms of cocaine into the United States were arrested Wednesday in several municipalities of Puerto Rico. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents, working jointly with Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) and San Juan Police Department (SJPD) officers, launched Operation Overtime as part of law enforcement's overall strategy to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
"The indictment and arrest of these individuals sends a clear message to those involved in drug trafficking and money laundering that HSI will go after them to bring them to justice and will seize the assets produced from their illicit activity," said Angel Meléndez, acting special agent in charge of HSI Puerto Rico.
The sixteen individuals are charged in three separate indictments with conspiring to import cocaine into the United States from the Dominican Republic. One of the sixteen, Nick Irizarry-Rosado, is charged with knowingly transmitting or transferring a Western Union money order for the amount of $1,200 from the United States to the Dominican Republic, with the intent to promote the dealing of controlled substances. Irizarry-Rosado is facing money laundering forfeiture allegations.
All of the defendants charged in the first indictment are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation which includes several boats and vehicles as well as a parcel of land and residence known as Haciendas de Borinquen located in the Parguera Ward in the municipality of Lajas, Puerto Rico. In addition to Nick Irizarry-Rosado, those arrested from the first indictment are: Pablo Irizarry-Rosado, Luis Sierra-Pardo, Luis Quintana-Rodriguez, Rodolfo Fumero-Galindo, Wilfredo Mendoza, Angel Paz-Alvarez, Luis Marrero-Marrero, Jonathan Delgado-Flores and Angel Colon-Martinez. Those arrested and charged in the second and third indictments are: Elvis Aviles-Vega, Alberto Aviles-Vega, Hiram Quintana-Rodriguez, Rene Ramos-Rivera, Wilberto Morales-De Jesús and Adrian N. Cordero-Rodriguez.
The Importance Of It All...
News Releases
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012HOUSTON, TX
4 charged in Houston human smuggling case involving 82 illegal aliens
HOUSTON — Four Mexican nationals were charged Tuesday in federal court in a massive human smuggling case that resulted in the rescue of 82 illegal aliens in a Houston residence, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.
The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Houston Police Department.
The criminal complaint, filed Tuesday, charges the following four men with harboring, transporting, and conspiracy to harbor and transport illegal aliens: Luis Trejo-Onofre, 30, Jose Santos-Solorzano, 24, Jose Victor Perez-Olivas, 42, and Gumecindo Jaime-Martinez, 37. They are expected to make their initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Wednesday.
On Sept. 18, a Nicaraguan national flagged down a Houston police officer to report that her 17-year-old daughter was being held by an alien smuggling organization that was allegedly extorting additional smuggling fees as a condition of her release. The woman, who had traveled from San Antonio to pick up her daughter from the smuggling organization, was allegedly directed to wire an additional $1,700 to Jalisco, Mexico, via Western Union. According to the complaint, the smugglers told her she better deposit the money if she wanted to see her daughter again.
After several calls, the alleged smuggler told the woman to meet at a local drug store at the intersection of Gessner and Interstate 10, and he would let her have her daughter for $1,500, according to the complaint. An undercover special agent accompanied the woman to the meeting and observed the girl in the suspects' vehicle. Soon after, special agents and officers blocked the vehicle and activated emergency lights and sirens. The complaint indicates Trejo-Onofre and Santos-Solorzano were in the two front seats, but refused to open the doors and rammed one of the vehicles surrounding them.
HSI special agents broke one of the car windows, rescued the girl, and took the suspects into custody. The minor female stated that she was held along with several other illegal aliens, including children, who were allegedly being held by armed smugglers and were often mistreated.
The residence was soon located on the 3400 block of Boxelder in Houston. HSI special agents observed and followed Perez-Olivas as he left to purchase food at a local store and then returned to the residence. Special agents and officers then began to secure the residence and identify those inside.
According to the complaint, most of the male subjects being held in the house were only wearing underwear. One of the agents recognized Perez-Olivas among the group whom several of the aliens pointed out as a smuggler as well as Jaime-Martinez.
Some of the aliens identified the four charged and their alleged actions. The complaint also includes allegations that some of the aliens were hit, kicked, punched and some were locked in a closet for long periods of time and fed minimally. The alleged smugglers, some of whom carried weapons according to the complaint, also ordered some of the aliens to remove their clothing.
Eighty-two aliens were being held in the house from six different countries; eight were juveniles. At the time of the arrests, several weapons were also seized.
If convicted, each of the men charged faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Doug Davis and Celia Moyer, Southern District of Texas, are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Lets Do Our Part..America
Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Online Sextortion Plot
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 23, 2012
Middle District of Alabama
(334) 233-7280
MONTGOMERY, AL—Christopher Patrick Gunn, age 31, of Montgomery, Alabama, pled guilty today to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spans the globe, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced. Over a period of more than two years, Gunn repeatedly used computers, chat rooms, and other social media outlets to threaten hundreds of young girls ages 9 to 16 located throughout the United States and internationally. Gunn used those threats to pressure a number of the children and teenagers to produce elicit and pornographic material of themselves. Gunn pled to charges brought in the Middle District of Alabama as well as the Northern District of Florida, and his plea included two counts of making child pornography, 15 counts of interstate extortion, and seven counts of Internet stalking.
The investigation of Gunn started in April 2011 by officers of the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, after female students at Prattville Junior High School complained that someone using the screen name “Tyler Mielke” had been asking them for sexually explicit pictures over Facebook. Prattville investigators were able to trace an IP address for the bogus “Tyler Mielke” account back to Gunn’s residence in Montgomery and obtained and executed a state search warrant for his residence on April 14, 2011. The seized computers revealed evidence of the online sextortion plot under the account names “Tyler Mielke” and “Jason Lempke.”
Separate investigations conducted in September 2011 by the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office revealed that someone in the Montgomery area had been committing the very same crimes against young girls in those areas using Facebook accounts with the names “C.J. Harper” and “Dalton Powers.”
Based upon the information obtained from these investigations, the FBI was able to determine that Gunn was the person behind all the criminal conduct. On March 20, 2012, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Gunn’s residence, where they discovered a cell phone and a laptop computer containing images and videos of child pornography.
Among the pictures that Gunn possessed were several of young girls posing in various states of undress and which appear to have been produced by the girls themselves using their cell phone cameras. These images confirmed the information that the FBI’s investigation had already uncovered—that, for over a year, Gunn had been repeatedly using fake Facebook profiles to obtain nude and partially nude photos and videos from young girls in numerous states, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Gunn used two principal schemes to obtain photos of these young girls in various states of undress.
The first scheme—dubbed “The New Kid Ruse”—began sometime in 2009 and continued until at least August 2011. Under that scheme, Gunn contacted the minor victims by sending them a message over Facebook. He then pretended to be a new kid in town looking for friends. For this purpose, Gunn allegedly established and used a number of different online aliases, including Tyler Mielke, Jason Lempke, CJ Harper, Dalton Powers, Dalton Walthers, Daniel Applegate, and Daniel Rodgers. Once he had gained their trust through chatting, Gunn would ask the girls a series of personal questions, such as their bra sizes, their sexual histories, intimate details about their bodies, and so on. When they had finished divulging that personal information, Gunn would then ask the girls to send him a topless photo. If they refused, he would threaten to e-mail their intimate conversation to the school principal or post it on Facebook for everyone to see.
The second scheme—dubbed “The Justin Bieber Ruse” —began sometime in November 2011, or possibly even earlier, and continued until shortly before Gunn was arrested in March of this year. Under that scheme, Gunn, pretending to be the internationally famed pop star Justin Bieber, contacted the minor victims primarily by using Internet-based interactive video chat services, such as Omegle and Skype. Once he had convinced the minor victims that he was, in fact, Justin Bieber, Gunn would allegedly offer them free concert tickets, backstage passes, or some other fan-related benefits if they would agree to send him a webcam transmission or a photo of themselves with their breasts exposed.
Some of the minor victims of Gunn’s two extortion schemes complied to varying degrees with his demands; others did not. For those who complied, Gunn continued sending further demands and more threatening communications. For example, girls who provided a photo of themselves in nothing but underwear were extorted for topless photos. Those who provided topless photos were extorted for pictures of themselves completely naked. And for the minor victims who continued to accede to his demands, Gunn would require them to appear on webcam and perform sexually explicit acts on themselves. If any of his demands were not met, Gunn would threaten to withhold the benefits he had promised the girls and/or to injure the girls’ reputations by publishing their compromising images and videos over the Internet.
“These child predators irreparably damage the children they victimize,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “The scope of this defendant’s exploitation of children is staggering; he not only preyed upon children in our community, but in communities across the United States. Thank goodness he is being brought to justice as the children in our country are safer with this defendant off of the streets.”
The FBI is continuing to work to identify additional victims of both schemes in numerous other states, including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and California. Members of the public who believe they may have information concerning these or related crimes are urged to contact the Montgomery field office of the FBI at (334) 263-1691.
Based on his guilty plea, Gunn faces no less than 25 years and as much as 35 years in federal prison and could be ordered to spend the rest of his life on supervised release.
This case is being investigated by the Montgomery Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department, the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department, and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jared H. Morris.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc/resources.
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 23, 2012
Middle District of Alabama
(334) 233-7280
MONTGOMERY, AL—Christopher Patrick Gunn, age 31, of Montgomery, Alabama, pled guilty today to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spans the globe, U.S. Attorney George L. Beck, Jr., announced. Over a period of more than two years, Gunn repeatedly used computers, chat rooms, and other social media outlets to threaten hundreds of young girls ages 9 to 16 located throughout the United States and internationally. Gunn used those threats to pressure a number of the children and teenagers to produce elicit and pornographic material of themselves. Gunn pled to charges brought in the Middle District of Alabama as well as the Northern District of Florida, and his plea included two counts of making child pornography, 15 counts of interstate extortion, and seven counts of Internet stalking.
The investigation of Gunn started in April 2011 by officers of the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, after female students at Prattville Junior High School complained that someone using the screen name “Tyler Mielke” had been asking them for sexually explicit pictures over Facebook. Prattville investigators were able to trace an IP address for the bogus “Tyler Mielke” account back to Gunn’s residence in Montgomery and obtained and executed a state search warrant for his residence on April 14, 2011. The seized computers revealed evidence of the online sextortion plot under the account names “Tyler Mielke” and “Jason Lempke.”
Separate investigations conducted in September 2011 by the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office revealed that someone in the Montgomery area had been committing the very same crimes against young girls in those areas using Facebook accounts with the names “C.J. Harper” and “Dalton Powers.”
Based upon the information obtained from these investigations, the FBI was able to determine that Gunn was the person behind all the criminal conduct. On March 20, 2012, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant at Gunn’s residence, where they discovered a cell phone and a laptop computer containing images and videos of child pornography.
Among the pictures that Gunn possessed were several of young girls posing in various states of undress and which appear to have been produced by the girls themselves using their cell phone cameras. These images confirmed the information that the FBI’s investigation had already uncovered—that, for over a year, Gunn had been repeatedly using fake Facebook profiles to obtain nude and partially nude photos and videos from young girls in numerous states, including Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Gunn used two principal schemes to obtain photos of these young girls in various states of undress.
The first scheme—dubbed “The New Kid Ruse”—began sometime in 2009 and continued until at least August 2011. Under that scheme, Gunn contacted the minor victims by sending them a message over Facebook. He then pretended to be a new kid in town looking for friends. For this purpose, Gunn allegedly established and used a number of different online aliases, including Tyler Mielke, Jason Lempke, CJ Harper, Dalton Powers, Dalton Walthers, Daniel Applegate, and Daniel Rodgers. Once he had gained their trust through chatting, Gunn would ask the girls a series of personal questions, such as their bra sizes, their sexual histories, intimate details about their bodies, and so on. When they had finished divulging that personal information, Gunn would then ask the girls to send him a topless photo. If they refused, he would threaten to e-mail their intimate conversation to the school principal or post it on Facebook for everyone to see.
The second scheme—dubbed “The Justin Bieber Ruse” —began sometime in November 2011, or possibly even earlier, and continued until shortly before Gunn was arrested in March of this year. Under that scheme, Gunn, pretending to be the internationally famed pop star Justin Bieber, contacted the minor victims primarily by using Internet-based interactive video chat services, such as Omegle and Skype. Once he had convinced the minor victims that he was, in fact, Justin Bieber, Gunn would allegedly offer them free concert tickets, backstage passes, or some other fan-related benefits if they would agree to send him a webcam transmission or a photo of themselves with their breasts exposed.
Some of the minor victims of Gunn’s two extortion schemes complied to varying degrees with his demands; others did not. For those who complied, Gunn continued sending further demands and more threatening communications. For example, girls who provided a photo of themselves in nothing but underwear were extorted for topless photos. Those who provided topless photos were extorted for pictures of themselves completely naked. And for the minor victims who continued to accede to his demands, Gunn would require them to appear on webcam and perform sexually explicit acts on themselves. If any of his demands were not met, Gunn would threaten to withhold the benefits he had promised the girls and/or to injure the girls’ reputations by publishing their compromising images and videos over the Internet.
“These child predators irreparably damage the children they victimize,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck. “The scope of this defendant’s exploitation of children is staggering; he not only preyed upon children in our community, but in communities across the United States. Thank goodness he is being brought to justice as the children in our country are safer with this defendant off of the streets.”
The FBI is continuing to work to identify additional victims of both schemes in numerous other states, including Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and California. Members of the public who believe they may have information concerning these or related crimes are urged to contact the Montgomery field office of the FBI at (334) 263-1691.
Based on his guilty plea, Gunn faces no less than 25 years and as much as 35 years in federal prison and could be ordered to spend the rest of his life on supervised release.
This case is being investigated by the Montgomery Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, the Prattville (Alabama) Police Department, the Walton County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department, the Biloxi (Mississippi) Police Department, and the Livingston Parish (Louisiana) Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jared H. Morris.
This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc/resources.
Full Co-Operation Works Everytime...
67 Indicted in Massive Meth Lab Bust
Posted on: 11:27 am, August 29, 2012, by Lindsay Buckingham
ASHTABULA, Ohio — More than 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers carried out a massive methamphetamine bust over the last two days that stretched across two counties.
Ashtabula County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini tells Fox 8 News “Operation Meth Death” relied on the multijurisdictional task force to conduct drug raids across Ashtabula County, and a portion of Lake County.
The Ashtabula County Grand Jury has indicted 67 people accused of manufacturing meth. Those individuals were arraigned Wednesday morning.
A news conference on Operation Meth Death is planned for 1:30 p.m. Authorities were expected to provide pictures and video of the drug raids to the media.
Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for updates on this story.
Posted on: 11:27 am, August 29, 2012, by Lindsay Buckingham
ASHTABULA, Ohio — More than 100 federal, state and local law enforcement officers carried out a massive methamphetamine bust over the last two days that stretched across two counties.
Ashtabula County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini tells Fox 8 News “Operation Meth Death” relied on the multijurisdictional task force to conduct drug raids across Ashtabula County, and a portion of Lake County.
The Ashtabula County Grand Jury has indicted 67 people accused of manufacturing meth. Those individuals were arraigned Wednesday morning.
A news conference on Operation Meth Death is planned for 1:30 p.m. Authorities were expected to provide pictures and video of the drug raids to the media.
Stick with Fox 8 News and FOX8.com for updates on this story.
Two Leaders of Baltimore Drug Ring Exiled to 45 Years in Prison
Two Leaders of Baltimore Drug Ring Exiled to 45 Years in Prison
Cocaine Supplied By Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 28, 2012
District of Maryland
(410) 209-4800
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Wade Coats, age 47, of Baltimore, and Jose Cavazos, age 44, of Midlothian, Texas, today each to 45 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Coats was also sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy P. Groh of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale of the Baltimore City Police Department.
“A substantial portion of the illegal drugs distributed in Maryland are imported from the Mexican border,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “This case demonstrates the international ties of a local drug dealer.”
According to evidence presented at the five-day jury trial, from 2005 to February 2010, Coats and his co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, received cocaine and marijuana from the Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel, which he and other conspirators distributed. From 2005 to April 28, 2009 Cavazos would receive 20-25 kilograms of cocaine from the cartel twice a month for delivery to Coats. Cavazos or his employees would drive the cocaine to Baltimore.
On April 27, 2009, law enforcement saw Coats and co-defendant Ronald Brown conduct what appeared to be a drug transaction. Brown had received approximately five to 10 kilograms of cocaine from Coats over the previous six months. Agents followed Coats to a Baltimore hotel where Coats removed several bags from his trunk, entered the hotel, and returned to his car shortly thereafter without the bags. Later that evening, law enforcement saw Coats exit a business located on North Duncan Street in Baltimore with bags that he placed in his trunk. Agents stopped Coats outside his car and Coats became nervous. After Coats denied visiting the hotel earlier that day, agents searched Coats and seized a gun and $7,000 in cash. Coats was arrested.
Agents executed a search warrant at Coats’ hotel room and found Cavazos inside. Agents seized several cell phones and a suitcase containing $275,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash wrapped in aluminum foil from the hotel room. They arrested Cavazos and seized another suitcase containing $335,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash from Cavazos’ car parked in the hotel’s garage.
Trial evidence established that Coats and Cavazos were both organizers and leaders of an extensive cocaine trafficking enterprise. Coats and Cavazos had multiple employees transporting drugs and money, and both defendants had other business partners and customers with whom they dealt. Coats and Cavazos were responsible for the distribution of between 1,500 kilograms of cocaine and 7,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the drug distribution scheme and was sentenced to 210 months in prison. Co-defendant Ronald Brown, age 45, of Baltimore also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, FBI, Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James T. Wallner and Peter M. Nothstein, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
Cocaine Supplied By Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel
U.S. Attorney’s Office
August 28, 2012
District of Maryland
(410) 209-4800
BALTIMORE—U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Wade Coats, age 47, of Baltimore, and Jose Cavazos, age 44, of Midlothian, Texas, today each to 45 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Coats was also sentenced for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The sentences were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Ava Cooper-Davis of the Drug Enforcement Administration-Washington Field Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Timothy P. Groh of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Acting Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale of the Baltimore City Police Department.
“A substantial portion of the illegal drugs distributed in Maryland are imported from the Mexican border,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “This case demonstrates the international ties of a local drug dealer.”
According to evidence presented at the five-day jury trial, from 2005 to February 2010, Coats and his co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, received cocaine and marijuana from the Los Zetas Mexican Drug Cartel, which he and other conspirators distributed. From 2005 to April 28, 2009 Cavazos would receive 20-25 kilograms of cocaine from the cartel twice a month for delivery to Coats. Cavazos or his employees would drive the cocaine to Baltimore.
On April 27, 2009, law enforcement saw Coats and co-defendant Ronald Brown conduct what appeared to be a drug transaction. Brown had received approximately five to 10 kilograms of cocaine from Coats over the previous six months. Agents followed Coats to a Baltimore hotel where Coats removed several bags from his trunk, entered the hotel, and returned to his car shortly thereafter without the bags. Later that evening, law enforcement saw Coats exit a business located on North Duncan Street in Baltimore with bags that he placed in his trunk. Agents stopped Coats outside his car and Coats became nervous. After Coats denied visiting the hotel earlier that day, agents searched Coats and seized a gun and $7,000 in cash. Coats was arrested.
Agents executed a search warrant at Coats’ hotel room and found Cavazos inside. Agents seized several cell phones and a suitcase containing $275,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash wrapped in aluminum foil from the hotel room. They arrested Cavazos and seized another suitcase containing $335,000 in heat-sealed bricks of cash from Cavazos’ car parked in the hotel’s garage.
Trial evidence established that Coats and Cavazos were both organizers and leaders of an extensive cocaine trafficking enterprise. Coats and Cavazos had multiple employees transporting drugs and money, and both defendants had other business partners and customers with whom they dealt. Coats and Cavazos were responsible for the distribution of between 1,500 kilograms of cocaine and 7,000 kilograms of marijuana.
Co-defendant James Bostic, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, previously pleaded guilty to his participation in the drug distribution scheme and was sentenced to 210 months in prison. Co-defendant Ronald Brown, age 45, of Baltimore also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, FBI, Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in this investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys James T. Wallner and Peter M. Nothstein, who prosecuted this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending August 24, 2012
FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending August 24, 2012
Washington, D.C.
August 24, 2012
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
Louisville: Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Indictment
Mohanad Shareef Hammadi attempted to ship weapons and money from the United States to al Qaeda in Iraq. Full Story
New York: U.S. Government Seizes $150 Million in Connection with Hizballah-Related Money Laundering Scheme
Entities linked to Hizballah, including the now-defunct Lebanese Canadian Bank, allegedly used the U.S. financial system to launder narcotics trafficking and other criminal proceeds through West Africa and back into Lebanon. Full Story
Seattle: Man Charged with Making Threats Against the President and Assaulting a Federal Agent
Anton Calouri allegedly sent an e-mail to the FBI threatening to kill the president and pointed a shotgun at a Secret Service agent and local officer when they went to his home. Full Story
Atlanta: Militia Members Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to Purchase Explosives and Silencers
Frederick Thomas and Dan Roberts sought to obtain firearms that were to be used in attacks on government buildings and federal employees, including law enforcement agents. Full Story
Mobile: Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Online Sextortion Plot
Patrick Gunn admitted to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spanned the globe. Full Story
Boston: Former Northbridge School Committee Member, Part-Time Teacher, and Boy Scout Leader Charged with Possessing Child Pornography and Enticing Children
Andrew J. Myers was charged with possession of child pornography and use of the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Full Story
Houston: Search Warrants Lead to 24 Arrests and Seizure of Nearly 14,000 Marijuana Plants
Of the 60 properties searched, 40 were allegedly active hydroponic marijuana grow houses and contained marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Full Story
Los Angeles: Members of L.A. County Street Gangs and an International Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted in Connection with Methamphetamine Distribution Network
An investigation by the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force resulted in the arrests of 16 of the 27 defendants who face federal narcotics charges. Full Story
San Antonio: Two Former Senior Executives of ArthroCare Corp. Arrested in $400 Million Securities Fraud Scheme
John Raffle and David Applegate were charged with wire, mail, and securities fraud, among other violations. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of assets held by the defendants. Full Story
Atlanta: Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps
The operation was coordinated with international law enforcement, including Dutch and French officials, to prevent the infringement of copyrighted mobile device apps. Full Story
Washington, D.C.
August 24, 2012
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
Louisville: Iraqi National Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Indictment
Mohanad Shareef Hammadi attempted to ship weapons and money from the United States to al Qaeda in Iraq. Full Story
New York: U.S. Government Seizes $150 Million in Connection with Hizballah-Related Money Laundering Scheme
Entities linked to Hizballah, including the now-defunct Lebanese Canadian Bank, allegedly used the U.S. financial system to launder narcotics trafficking and other criminal proceeds through West Africa and back into Lebanon. Full Story
Seattle: Man Charged with Making Threats Against the President and Assaulting a Federal Agent
Anton Calouri allegedly sent an e-mail to the FBI threatening to kill the president and pointed a shotgun at a Secret Service agent and local officer when they went to his home. Full Story
Atlanta: Militia Members Sentenced to Prison for Plotting to Purchase Explosives and Silencers
Frederick Thomas and Dan Roberts sought to obtain firearms that were to be used in attacks on government buildings and federal employees, including law enforcement agents. Full Story
Mobile: Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Massive Online Sextortion Plot
Patrick Gunn admitted to producing child pornography in connection with an online sextortion scheme that spanned the globe. Full Story
Boston: Former Northbridge School Committee Member, Part-Time Teacher, and Boy Scout Leader Charged with Possessing Child Pornography and Enticing Children
Andrew J. Myers was charged with possession of child pornography and use of the Internet to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. Full Story
Houston: Search Warrants Lead to 24 Arrests and Seizure of Nearly 14,000 Marijuana Plants
Of the 60 properties searched, 40 were allegedly active hydroponic marijuana grow houses and contained marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Full Story
Los Angeles: Members of L.A. County Street Gangs and an International Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted in Connection with Methamphetamine Distribution Network
An investigation by the San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force resulted in the arrests of 16 of the 27 defendants who face federal narcotics charges. Full Story
San Antonio: Two Former Senior Executives of ArthroCare Corp. Arrested in $400 Million Securities Fraud Scheme
John Raffle and David Applegate were charged with wire, mail, and securities fraud, among other violations. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of assets held by the defendants. Full Story
Atlanta: Federal Courts Order Seizure of Three Website Domains Involved in Distributing Pirated Android Cell Phone Apps
The operation was coordinated with international law enforcement, including Dutch and French officials, to prevent the infringement of copyrighted mobile device apps. Full Story
Monday, August 27, 2012
"The Lords Resistance Army"...Always Gets away with Murder..
British safari driver David Simpson was released after five months of incarceration in the Central African Republic on suspicion of killing 13 people.
Deputy Prosecutor, Magistrate Romaric Martian Kpangba-Kingo said that all charges have been dropped against Simpson. He is still in Bangui awaiting permission to return to Britain.
In local reports Simpson says that despite his ordeal he hopes to resume work as a safari guide.
Simpson was arrested on March 26 after he reported the discovery of the bodies of 13 people by a small-scale gold mine in the east.
The victims' hands were bound behind their backs and had machete wounds. Simpson's lawyers claimed he was innocent and charged the the killings may have been committed by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Deputy Prosecutor, Magistrate Romaric Martian Kpangba-Kingo said that all charges have been dropped against Simpson. He is still in Bangui awaiting permission to return to Britain.
In local reports Simpson says that despite his ordeal he hopes to resume work as a safari guide.
Simpson was arrested on March 26 after he reported the discovery of the bodies of 13 people by a small-scale gold mine in the east.
The victims' hands were bound behind their backs and had machete wounds. Simpson's lawyers claimed he was innocent and charged the the killings may have been committed by the Lord's Resistance Army.
Military Terror Plot: Murder Case Uncovers Terror Plot By 'Militia' Within U.S. Military
By RUSS BYNUM 08/27/12 03:10 PM ET
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Sign Up ...Follow: Terrorism, Video, U.S. Military, Armed Forces, Crime News, Militia, Right-Wing Extremists, Soliders Plot Overthrow Federal Government, Soliders Terror Plot, Crime News . LUDOWICI, Ga. — Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday.
Prosecutors in rural Long County, near the sprawling Army post Fort Stewart, said the militia group composed of active duty and former U.S. military members spent at least $87,000 buying guns and bomb components and was serious enough to kill two people – former soldier Michael Roark and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany York – by shooting them in the woods last December in order to keep its plans secret.
"This domestic terrorist organization did not simply plan and talk," prosecutor Isabel Pauley told a Superior Court judge. "Prior to the murders in this case, the group took action. Evidence shows the group possessed the knowledge, means and motive to carry out their plans."
One of the Fort Stewart soldiers charged in the case, Army Pfc. Michael Burnett, also gave testimony that backed up many of the assertions made by prosecutors. The 26-year-old soldier pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, illegal gang activity and other charges. He made a deal to cooperate with prosecutors in their case against the three other soldiers.
Prosecutors said the group called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready. Pauley said authorities don't know how many members the militia had.
Burnett, 26, said he knew the group's leaders from serving with them at Fort Stewart. He agreed to testify against fellow soldiers Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, identified by prosecutors as the militia's founder and leader, Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon.
All are charged by state authorities with malice murder, felony murder, criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and using a firearm while committing a felony. A hearing for the three soldiers was scheduled Thursday.
Prosecutors say Roark, 19, served with the four defendants in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and became involved with the militia. Pauley said the group believed it had been betrayed by Roark, who left the Army two days before he was killed, and decided the ex-soldier and his girlfriend needed to be silenced.
Burnett testified that on the night of Dec. 4, he and the three other soldiers lured Roark and York to some woods a short distance from the Army post under the guise that they were going target shooting. He said Peden shot Roark's girlfriend in the head while she was trying to get out of her car. Salmon, he said, made Roark get on his knees and shot him twice in the head. Burnett said Aguigui ordered the killings.
"A loose end is the way Isaac put it," Burnett said.
Aguigui's attorney, Daveniya Fisher, did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press. Attorneys for Peden and Salmon both declined to comment Monday.
Also charged in the killings is Salmon's wife, Heather Salmon. Her attorney, Charles Nester, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Pauley said Aguigui funded the militia using $500,000 in insurance and benefit payments from the death of his pregnant wife a year ago. Aguigui was not charged in his wife's death, but Pauley told the judge her death was "highly suspicious."
She said Aguigui used the money to buy $87,000 worth of semiautomatic assault rifles, other guns and bomb components that were recovered from the accused soldiers' homes and from a storage locker. He also used the insurance payments to buy land for his militia group in Washington state, Pauley said.
In a videotaped interview with military investigators, Pauley said, Aguigui called himself "the nicest cold-blooded murderer you will ever meet." He used the Army to recruit militia members, who wore distinctive tattoos that resemble an anarchy symbol, she said. Prosecutors say they have no idea how many members belong to the group.
"All members of the group were on active-duty or were former members of the military," Pauley said. "He targeted soldiers who were in trouble or disillusioned."
The prosecutor said the militia group had big plans. It plotted to take over Fort Stewart by seizing its ammunition control point and talked of bombing the Forsyth Park fountain in nearby Savannah, she said. In Washington state, she added, the group plotted to bomb a dam and poison the state's apple crop. Ultimately, prosecutors said, the militia's goal was to overthrow the government and assassinate the president.
The Army brought charges against the four accused soldiers in connection with the slayings of Roark and York in March, but has yet to act on them. Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said he could not comment immediately on the militia accusations that emerged in civilian court Monday.
District Attorney Tom Durden said his office has been sharing information with federal authorities, but no charges have been filed in federal court. Jim Durham, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, would not comment on whether a case is pending.
By RUSS BYNUM 08/27/12 03:10 PM ET
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Sign Up ...Follow: Terrorism, Video, U.S. Military, Armed Forces, Crime News, Militia, Right-Wing Extremists, Soliders Plot Overthrow Federal Government, Soliders Terror Plot, Crime News . LUDOWICI, Ga. — Four Army soldiers based in southeast Georgia killed a former comrade and his girlfriend to protect an anarchist militia group they formed that stockpiled assault weapons and plotted a range of anti-government attacks, prosecutors told a judge Monday.
Prosecutors in rural Long County, near the sprawling Army post Fort Stewart, said the militia group composed of active duty and former U.S. military members spent at least $87,000 buying guns and bomb components and was serious enough to kill two people – former soldier Michael Roark and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Tiffany York – by shooting them in the woods last December in order to keep its plans secret.
"This domestic terrorist organization did not simply plan and talk," prosecutor Isabel Pauley told a Superior Court judge. "Prior to the murders in this case, the group took action. Evidence shows the group possessed the knowledge, means and motive to carry out their plans."
One of the Fort Stewart soldiers charged in the case, Army Pfc. Michael Burnett, also gave testimony that backed up many of the assertions made by prosecutors. The 26-year-old soldier pleaded guilty Monday to manslaughter, illegal gang activity and other charges. He made a deal to cooperate with prosecutors in their case against the three other soldiers.
Prosecutors said the group called itself F.E.A.R., short for Forever Enduring Always Ready. Pauley said authorities don't know how many members the militia had.
Burnett, 26, said he knew the group's leaders from serving with them at Fort Stewart. He agreed to testify against fellow soldiers Pvt. Isaac Aguigui, identified by prosecutors as the militia's founder and leader, Sgt. Anthony Peden and Pvt. Christopher Salmon.
All are charged by state authorities with malice murder, felony murder, criminal gang activity, aggravated assault and using a firearm while committing a felony. A hearing for the three soldiers was scheduled Thursday.
Prosecutors say Roark, 19, served with the four defendants in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 3rd Infantry Division and became involved with the militia. Pauley said the group believed it had been betrayed by Roark, who left the Army two days before he was killed, and decided the ex-soldier and his girlfriend needed to be silenced.
Burnett testified that on the night of Dec. 4, he and the three other soldiers lured Roark and York to some woods a short distance from the Army post under the guise that they were going target shooting. He said Peden shot Roark's girlfriend in the head while she was trying to get out of her car. Salmon, he said, made Roark get on his knees and shot him twice in the head. Burnett said Aguigui ordered the killings.
"A loose end is the way Isaac put it," Burnett said.
Aguigui's attorney, Daveniya Fisher, did not immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press. Attorneys for Peden and Salmon both declined to comment Monday.
Also charged in the killings is Salmon's wife, Heather Salmon. Her attorney, Charles Nester, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Pauley said Aguigui funded the militia using $500,000 in insurance and benefit payments from the death of his pregnant wife a year ago. Aguigui was not charged in his wife's death, but Pauley told the judge her death was "highly suspicious."
She said Aguigui used the money to buy $87,000 worth of semiautomatic assault rifles, other guns and bomb components that were recovered from the accused soldiers' homes and from a storage locker. He also used the insurance payments to buy land for his militia group in Washington state, Pauley said.
In a videotaped interview with military investigators, Pauley said, Aguigui called himself "the nicest cold-blooded murderer you will ever meet." He used the Army to recruit militia members, who wore distinctive tattoos that resemble an anarchy symbol, she said. Prosecutors say they have no idea how many members belong to the group.
"All members of the group were on active-duty or were former members of the military," Pauley said. "He targeted soldiers who were in trouble or disillusioned."
The prosecutor said the militia group had big plans. It plotted to take over Fort Stewart by seizing its ammunition control point and talked of bombing the Forsyth Park fountain in nearby Savannah, she said. In Washington state, she added, the group plotted to bomb a dam and poison the state's apple crop. Ultimately, prosecutors said, the militia's goal was to overthrow the government and assassinate the president.
The Army brought charges against the four accused soldiers in connection with the slayings of Roark and York in March, but has yet to act on them. Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson said he could not comment immediately on the militia accusations that emerged in civilian court Monday.
District Attorney Tom Durden said his office has been sharing information with federal authorities, but no charges have been filed in federal court. Jim Durham, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, would not comment on whether a case is pending.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
"Gas Leaks..Water Breaks..Fumes..Explosions."
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH (WOIO) - University Heights City School District's Roxboro Elementary School will be closed Monday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 15 due to the extensive water damage that was discovered Thursday
morning.
The school closure includes all activities as well.
This, after a water supply line broke on the second floor of the school. Some of the classrooms and hallways had standing water. Because of the time needed to properly dry the floors, replace carpeting, and repair ceilings, work is taking place around the clock so our students and teachers can get back to school.
A message was posted on the school's website Thursday stating:
"Some of our classrooms and hallways had standing water; ceiling tiles and carpeting will have to be replaced in several of our classrooms. It will take the next few days to properly dry the building. Staff and a local service company are working around the clock to get this cleaned up as quickly as possible and students back to school.
Children's Ink, an event that was set for tomorrow at Rox El, has to be rescheduled. Children's Ink is an annual assembly where students are honored for their writings. Community members come in to read them while the student authors get to sit on stage. It's a big deal for the students and their parents, and the staff always look forward to it.
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause for you. School is canceled for tomorrow for sure and possibly Monday."
morning.
The school closure includes all activities as well.
This, after a water supply line broke on the second floor of the school. Some of the classrooms and hallways had standing water. Because of the time needed to properly dry the floors, replace carpeting, and repair ceilings, work is taking place around the clock so our students and teachers can get back to school.
A message was posted on the school's website Thursday stating:
"Some of our classrooms and hallways had standing water; ceiling tiles and carpeting will have to be replaced in several of our classrooms. It will take the next few days to properly dry the building. Staff and a local service company are working around the clock to get this cleaned up as quickly as possible and students back to school.
Children's Ink, an event that was set for tomorrow at Rox El, has to be rescheduled. Children's Ink is an annual assembly where students are honored for their writings. Community members come in to read them while the student authors get to sit on stage. It's a big deal for the students and their parents, and the staff always look forward to it.
Again, we apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause for you. School is canceled for tomorrow for sure and possibly Monday."
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