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