US and World News

Rail union representing 6,000 U.S. workers votes down labor deal

by Reuters
By: Reuters

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) union, representing more than 6,000 members, said on Wednesday that workers voted against ratifying a national tentative agreement reached in mid-September, the second union not to approve the deal.

Previously six of 12 unions voted to approve the deal. The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), which representing freight railroads in labor talks, said Wednesday it was disappointed in the BRS vote, but both sides have agreed to maintain the status quo until early December.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWED), which represents more 11,000 workers, had already rejected the deal.

BMWED President Tony Cardwell said Wednesday members offered “numerous reasons they voted against the agreement, but the common thread was the lack of paid sick days.” It proposed “members be provided a basic package of sick days.”

NCCC said labor employees do get sick time but railroads and unions, including BMWED, “have repeatedly agreed that short-term absences would be unpaid in favor of higher compensation for days worked and more generous sickness benefits for longer absences.”

The rail deal included a 24% percent wage increase over a five-year period from 2020 through 2024 as well $1,000 lump sum payments in each of the next five years.

About 60% of BRS members voting declined to approve the deal. BRS President Michael Baldwin said the railroads and PEB “both failed to recognize the safety-sensitive and highly stressful job BRS members perform each day to keep the railroad running and supply chain flowing.”

The unions representing 115,000 workers at railroads including Union Pacific, BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern and Kansas City Southern.

A rail shutdown could have frozen almost 30% of U.S. cargo shipments by weight, stoked inflation, cost the American economy as much as $2 billion per day and unleashed a cascade of transport woes affecting U.S. energy, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and retail sectors.

The delayed deal in September prompted passenger railroad Amtrak to cancel long-distance trains in anticipation of a work stoppage.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by David Gregorio)

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Volkswagen no longer investing in self-driving startup Argo AI

by Reuters
By: Reuters

BERLIN (Reuters) – Volkswagen AG is no longer investing in Argo AI, the company said on Wednesday, concentrating its automated driving efforts on its existing partnerships with Bosch and Horizon Robotics in China.

Volkswagen commercial vehicles will pursue a partnership with a new, soon-to-be named partner, the carmaker said in its statement, with prototypes for its electric van, the ID. Buzz, already in test phase.

The first outcomes from the partnership between Volkswagen’s software unit Cariad and Bosch, announced in January this year, are planned for 2023, the statement said.

Volkswagen disclosed a $2.6 billion investment in Argo AI, the Pittsburgh-based self-driving startup, in June 2020.

The investment meant the startup was jointly controlled by the German carmaker and Ford Motor Co, which made an initial investment in Argo AI shortly after it was founded.

“Volkswagen is working with Argo AI to enable further working opportunities for employees and continue developing the promising projects on autonomous driving. All further cooperations with Ford remain unchanged,” Volkswagen’s statement said.

(Reporting by Jan Schwartz and Victoria Waldersee in Berlin; Editing by Matthew Lewis)

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POV: Sitting in an uncomfortable economy class window seat with no leg room. Tourist on long transatlantic flight gets his legs jammed into the seat in front of him. Traveler enduring annoying flight.
Conservative TimesFeatured NewsPolitics

Biden Says Having To Pay For Extra Legroom On Airplanes Harms ‘People Of Color’

by The Daily Caller
By: The Daily Caller

Biden Says Having To Pay For Extra Legroom On Airplanes Harms ‘People Of Color’

Jack McEvoy on October 26, 2022

President Joe Biden said that fees for extra legroom on commercial airlines hurt minorities during a speech he gave at the White House on Wednesday.

Biden said that having to pay for extra legroom on airplanes was unfair on “people of color” and low-income Americans during a speech where he criticized airlines, hotels and other businesses for imposing “junk fees” upon American families. Biden declared that his administration would take action to end such practices so that consumers would not become “surprised” by hidden fees.

“These are junk fees … they’re unfair and they hit marginalized Americans the hardest, especially low-income folks and people of color,” Biden stated.

The Transportation Department (DOT) proposed a rule on Sept. 26 that would force airlines to disclose any extra fees upfront when consumers are purchasing their tickets. Under this rule, any extra charges levied to sit with one’s child, change or cancel one’s flight and for checked or carry-on baggage would have to be readily apparent to potential customers.

The department proposed the rule in response to Biden’s executive order which promised to use a “whole-of-government approach” to regulate the economy.

The DOT also aims to require airlines to refund passengers for delayed and canceled flights, according to a rule it proposed in August. The department also proposed rules in 2021 that would require airlines to refund fees for checked bags that are severely delayed and for services that were not provided, such as broken Wi-Fi.

“I’m not saying they can’t charge you, but they have to let you know that they are going to charge you,” Biden said.

The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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Biden Says Having To Pay For Extra Legroom On Airplanes Harms ‘People Of Color’

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‘I Wouldn’t Be Boasting’: Reports That Los Angeles’ School Lockdowns Didn’t Hurt Learning Are Misleading. Here’s Why

by The Daily Caller
By: The Daily Caller

‘I Wouldn’t Be Boasting’: Reports That Los Angeles’ School Lockdowns Didn’t Hurt Learning Are Misleading. Here’s Why

Reagan Reese on October 26, 2022

  • Though Los Angeles Unified School District was one of the few districts that saw a learning gain during the pandemic, the increase in scores still puts the school district below proficiency level.
  • “I wouldn’t be boasting when nearly half of fourth grade students can’t read at a basic level there,” Andrew Handel, education task force director for American Legislative Exchange Council, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “And then one out of three eighth graders can’t read at a basic level either, so I’m not really sure that now’s the time to be taking a victory lap.”
  • Some school districts in Florida that saw learning declines were posting scores more than 10-points higher than Los Angeles Unified School District before the pandemic.

While many school districts suffered from learning loss after the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation’s largest school district was one of the only to see an increase in its scores, despite leaning on remote learning through the fall of 2021.

Los Angeles Unified School District saw a nine-point increase in eighth grade reading scores, a two-point increase in fourth grade reading scores and an one-point increase in eighth grade math scores since 2019, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The school, however, was already posting scores below proficiency level before the pandemic.

Andrew Handel, education task force director for American Legislative Exchange Council, a non-profit that drafts model legislation, told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Los Angeles Unified School District’s scores aren’t as good as the district believes they are.

“I wouldn’t be boasting when nearly half of fourth grade students can’t read at a basic level there,” Handel told the DCNF. “And then one out of three eighth graders can’t read at a basic level either, so I’m not really sure that now’s the time to be taking a victory lap.”

The school district is now scoring a 207 in fourth grade reading, 31 points below the proficiency rate and 10 points below the national average, according to Education Source. In eighth grade reading, Los Angeles Unified School District is scoring a 257, 24 points below the proficiency rate.

In eighth grade math, the school district scored a 262, 37 points below proficiency level, Education Source showed.

“The data was so good,” Los Angeles Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said about the learning gains to the Wall Street Journal. “It bodes very well for our L.A., and is really a testament to our strategy.”

While school districts in the state of Florida saw larger drops in their scores despite pushing to return to in-person learning, the schools were performing well before the pandemic, according to the NAEP. Before the pandemic, Hillsborough County Public Schools posted a 276 overall and Duval County Public Schools scored a 274 overall, more than 10-points higher than Los Angeles Unified School District.

Many Florida schools returned to in-person learning in August 2020, according to the Wall Street Journal. By March 2021, 81% of schools were fully in-person.

“We also knew that younger and at-risk students would be the most impacted if schools were closed, and the results speak for themselves. In Florida our fourth grade students rank third in Reading and fourth in Math, achieving top four in both English and Math for the first time in state history, while lockdown California and New York aren’t even in the top 30,” Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a Monday statement.

Los Angeles Unified School District stayed with remote learning until January 2022, when students were able to return to in-person learning as long as all students and staff wore masks indoors and tested negative for COVID-19, according to Spectrum News 1. Baseline testing for all educators and students was required until the end of January.

On average, school districts who remained remote the longest suffered a 13% sharper learning loss than schools that returned to in-person learning sooner.

“During the pandemic, just hastily transitioning everybody on to Zoom, which was never a platform that was created for educational purposes, just throwing everybody on there is not true virtual schooling,” Handel told the DCNF. “I do think that transition is emblematic of a kind of a bloat and the ineffectiveness of a lot of public school districts. Teachers weren’t prepared to make that transition. The teachers weren’t given the resources to be able to teach online effectively. I think it’s because public schools have been used to doing things a certain way for so long.”

Los Angeles Unified School District did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.

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‘I Wouldn’t Be Boasting’: Reports That Los Angeles’ School Lockdowns Didn’t Hurt Learning Are Misleading. Here’s Why

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Lori Lightfoot Wants To Give Herself A Pay Raise Despite City’s Rampant Crime

by The Daily Caller
By: The Daily Caller

Democrat Mayor Wants To Give Herself A Pay Raise Despite City’s Rampant Crime

Laurel Duggan on October 26, 2022

Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is lobbying for a raise to her $216,000 salary, according to the Chicago Sun Times, despite the city’s crime problem worsening considerably under her leadership.

The Mayor’s salary hasn’t changed since 2005, but Lightfoot’s new budget proposal includes an annual salary adjustment equivalent to the rate of inflation, capping it at 5%, according to the Chicago Sun Times. Chicago has seen major crime spikes in several categories, including homicide, under Lightfoot’s leadership.

A 5% pay raise would add $10,810 to Lightfoot’s salary the first year, taking effect Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Chicago Sun Times. The city treasurer, city clerk and council members would also get pay raises, though 17 council members have already declined the raise.

Chicago’s crime problem has worsened since Lightfoot took office in January 2019: the city saw a 40% spike in crime from 2021 to 2022, including a 56% rise in sexual assault reports, a 15% rise in robberies, a 52% rise in thefts and a 132% rise in motor vehicle thefts. The jump from 2019 to 2020 was even starker, with a 53% murder rate spike, from 18.9 homicides per 100,000 residents to 28.9, according to Brookings.

Several major corporations have announced plans to relocate from Chicago this year amid the crime surge, and while McDonald’s hasn’t announced any plans to leave, CEO Chris Kempczinski has been vocal about public safety issues in the city.

“There is a general sense out there that our city is in crisis,” Kempczinski said in a September speech, according to Fox Business. “The fact is that there are fewer large companies headquartered in Chicago this year than last year. There are fewer this month than last month … truth is, it’s more difficult for me to recruit a new employee to McDonald’s to join us in Chicago than it was in the past.”

Lightfoot did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.

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Democrat Mayor Wants To Give Herself A Pay Raise Despite City’s Rampant Crime

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US and World News

Marketmind: Policy peak?

by Reuters
By: Reuters

By Jamie McGeever

(Reuters) – A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever

First Australia, now Canada. Who’ll be next to blink on interest rates?

The Bank of Canada on Wednesday raised rates by 50 basis points, less than the 75 bps markets had expected. This surprise mirrored the Reserve Bank of Australia’s half point hike three weeks ago, when investors had again positioned for an additional 25 bps of tightening.

“We are getting closer to the end of this tightening phase,” BOC chief Tiff Macklem said, citing recession fears.

That’s two of the world’s major central banks now signaling that the peak in rates is in sight, while Bank of England Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent said last week that the market’s rate path was too aggressive.

The European Central Bank and Bank of Japan are up next with policy decisions in the next 48 hours. Although they are at very different stages of the cycle – the BOJ hasn’t even started tightening yet – dovish surprises could add fuel to the ‘risk on’ rally currently underway.

GRAPHIC: G10 interest rates – 2022 moves https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/xmvjkgnoxpr/G10rates.jpg

Ok, Wall Street struggled on Wednesday in part due to earnings misses from Microsoft and Alphabet, but the S&P 500 hit a six-week high intraday and is up 7% this month. The VIX volatility index hit a six-week low, while bond yields fell sharply for a second day.

The dollar is also falling, another development that should in theory ease financial conditions and support risk assets. It is down 2% this week, on track for its biggest weekly fall since the COVID-19 pandemic’s darkest days in March 2020.

Only time will tell how much of all this is simply a snap back in extreme positioning. But if the remaining heavyweight U.S. earnings this week beat forecasts and the ECB and BOJ play ball, it could have further to run.

Three key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Thursday:

ECB rate decision (expected 75 bps hike)

U.S. advance GDP (Q3)

U.S. earnings (Meta, Apple, Amazon)

(Reporting by Jamie McGeever in Orlando, Fla.; Editing by Josie Kao)

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US and World News

Three found guilty of aiding plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Whitmer

by Reuters
By: Reuters

By Tyler Clifford and Brendan O’Brien

(Reuters) – Three men accused of aiding a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer were found guilty on Wednesday of taking part in a conspiracy that prosecutors ascribed to hostility over restrictions she imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A jury found Joseph Morrison, 28, his father-in-law Pete Musico, 44, and Paul Bellar, 23, guilty of gang membership, firearm violations and providing material support for terrorism.

They could each face up to 20 years in prison when sentenced on December 15.

The three were among more than a dozen men arrested in October 2020 and charged with state or federal crimes related to the conspiracy. The group planned to break into Whitmer’s vacation home, kidnap her and take her at gunpoint to stand “trial” on treason charges, prosecutors said.

Seven of the accused, including Morrison, Musico and Bellar, have now been convicted by a jury or pleaded guilty to playing roles in the conspiracy.

After the verdicts, Whitmer, a Democrat who is up for re-election in November, said she was not disheartened by the evidence presented in the case, which highlighted the growth of U.S. political militancy in recent years.

“No threat, no plot, no rhetoric will break my belief in the goodness and decency of our people,” she said in a tweet. “And these verdicts are further proof that violence and threats have no place in our politics.”

The verdict, after two weeks of testimony in Jackson County Circuit Court, was a victory for state prosecutors who argued that the men on trial assisted two others who in August were found guilty in federal court of orchestrating the kidnapping conspiracy.

Defense attorneys argued their client did not know of a plan to kidnap the governor and that their actions were protected by the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

After the verdict, the defense attorneys – all of them public defenders – said they were disappointed and had advised their clients to appeal.

Prosecutors did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the verdicts.

In the earlier trial, Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. were found guilty of plotting to abduct Whitmer from her vacation home. Their convictions followed a first trial earlier this year that ended in a hung jury, while two other defendants were acquitted during those proceedings.

The conspirators hoped that an abduction would lead to a violent uprising and instigate a civil war, prosecutors said.

Morrison and Musico were accused of hosting tactical training sessions on their property in a remote part of Michigan. Bellar was accused of providing plans for tactical maneuvers, coded language for covert communication and ammunition.

All three were members of a militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen, prosecutors said.

In September, a federal judge reduced the sentence of another accused conspirator, Ty Garbin, who pleaded guilty to participating in the plot after his testimony helped convict Fox and Croft.

Kaleb Franks, who also pleaded guilty to playing a role in the scheme, was sentenced to four years in prison earlier this month after serving as a key witness in the case against Fox and Croft.

(Reporting by Tyler Clifford in New York and Brendan O’Brien in Chicago; Editing by Alistair Bell, Jonathan Oatis and Howard Goller)

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Ford, Volkswagen-backed Argo AI to shut down- TechCrunch

by Reuters
By: Reuters

(Reuters) -Self-driving startup Argo AI will shut down operations and its employees and parts will be absorbed by its main backers, Ford Motor Co and Volkswagen AG, TechCrunch reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Argo employees were told that some of them would receive offers from the two automakers, TechCrunch said, adding that it was not clear how many employees would go to Ford, Volkswagen, or lose their jobs.

Ford did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Argo AI and Volkswagen declined to comment.

Argo AI in July said it had laid off about 150 employees as it made adjustments to its business plans. It still had over 2,000 employees globally after the job cuts.

Started in 2016, Pittsburgh-based Argo AI was developing the technology behind driverless vehicles. It had raised at least $3.6 billion in investments, mainly from Ford and Volkswagen.

(Reporting by Ruhi Soni in Bengaluru and Victoria Waldersee in Berlin; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)

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Pfizer, facing lawsuit, says minority fellowship program serves public interest

by Reuters
By: Reuters

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Pfizer Inc said its fellowship program for minorities serves the public interest, as the drugmaker defends against a lawsuit by a group of medical professionals that claims the program illegally excludes whites and Asian-Americans.

In a Tuesday night filing, Pfizer urged a Manhattan federal judge to reject Do No Harm’s request for an injunction against filling the 2023 class for its Breakthrough Fellowship Program, which enrolls Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans.

Pfizer said the two-year-old program helps address historical discrimination in the workplace, and difficulties in recruiting, retaining and promoting minorities.

It aims to enroll 100 fellows by 2025, as part of a nine-year commitment to boost minority representation.

“There exists a strong public policy in favor of voluntary affirmative action plans,” Pfizer said. “At a minimum, the public interest favors preserving the status quo.”

Lawyers for Do No Harm did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In its Sept. 15 complaint, Do No Harm said Pfizer’s program was “discriminatory on its face,” running afoul of several civil rights laws and violating a federal ban on racial discrimination by companies that accept government healthcare reimbursements.

Fellows receive two years of full-time jobs, fully-funded master’s degrees, and employment at New York-based Pfizer after completing the program.

Pfizer said Do No Harm lacked standing to sue and could not show irreparable harm, and that its claims would likely fail.

The fellowship program “does what Congress has encouraged and controlling law allows,” Pfizer said.

On Oct. 31, the Supreme Court will consider the future of affirmative action in higher education, as it hears arguments on race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

Among the precedents at risk is a 2003 Supreme Court decision where Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said race could be used as one factor among many to achieve diversity.

Pfizer quoted approvingly from O’Connor, who said “major American businesses have made clear that the skills needed in today’s increasingly global marketplace can only be developed through exposure to widely diverse people, cultures, ideas, and viewpoints.”

The case is Do No Harm v. Pfizer Inc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 22-07908.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Alison Frankel; Editing by Diane Craft)

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Former Putnam County Librarian Sentenced To Over 21 Years In Federal Prison For Production And Distribution Of Child Sex Abuse Images

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Kurt Batucan Sheldon (31, Interlachen) to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for production and distribution of child sex abuse images. Sheldon was also ordered to serve a life-term of supervised release and register as a sex offender. In addition, the court ordered $13,000 in restitution for the victims of Sheldon’s offenses. Sheldon was arrested on September 4, 2020, and ordered detained during the proceedings in the case. He had pleaded guilty on February 17, 2022.

According to court documents, this case was initiated when parents of a minor female child made a report to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office about sexually explicit messages being sent by an adult to their child on two different social media applications. The adult referred to himself as “K t,” and used the username “tacticfallout.” “K t” originally began communicating with the minor child on a social media application and represented himself as a male, between 25-29 years of age. The minor child told him that she was 15 years old. “K t” told the minor child that his name was “Kurt” and that he lived in Putnam. The child told “Kurt” she lived with her parents and was in school. Their conversation later moved to another social media platform, over which “K t” requested child sex abuse material—images and videos—from the minor child and directed the child on how to take the images and how to pose. Approximately 50 images and/or videos were sent to “K t” at his direction. 

Further investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations identified Sheldon’s residence as the source of the IP address used by the account, “tacticfallout,” and for other associated accounts. 

On September 4, 2020, HSI agents and deputies and detectives from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Sheldon’s residence. Sheldon admitted there would be child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices and that he was attracted to children. He also admitted to asking girls he met via online applications, who he knew to be underage, to send him nude photographs, including a 15-year-old female. Forensic examination of his devices identified more than a thousand images and several hundred videos depicting child sex abuse.

During the same investigation, HSI also learned of a 2016 St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigation involving Sheldon’s IP address and residential address engaging in peer-to-peer file sharing of child sex abuse materials. Law enforcement accessed and downloaded files that contained child sex abuse materials that were later connected to Sheldon. Sheldon also admitted his involvement in this conduct.

“Men who use the anonymity of the internet to prey on the vulnerability and innocence of children are a special kind of evil,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge K. Jim Phillips. “Through our partnerships with the Clay County, Putnam County and St. Johns County Sheriff’s Offices, we will remain vigilant in targeting these dark web predators, bringing them to justice to face their crimes.”     

This case was investigated by Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

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

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Grandview Man Pleads Guilty to $4.1 Million Meth Conspiracy

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Grandview, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court to his role in a $4.1 million drug-trafficking conspiracy, which is linked to two murders, and which distributed approximately 520 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas.

Markus Michael A. Patterson, 39, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays on Monday, Oct. 24, and admitted that between Jan. 1, 2017, and September 1, 2018, he participated with others in conspiracies to distribute methamphetamine and launder drug proceeds, and to possessing a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Patterson was arrested on Aug. 30, 2018, at a hotel in Phelps County, Mo. Officers found approximately one pound of methamphetamine (what remained from two pounds of methamphetamine Patterson brought to Phelps County from Kansas City, Mo.), $8,742 in cash, and drug paraphernalia in Patterson’s hotel room and car. The cash seized by officers was the proceeds of drug sales, which Patterson was supposed to return to his source in Kansas City.

The drug-trafficking organization with which Patterson was associated was responsible for two murders. In August 2018, James Hampton was seized by members of the same drug trafficking conspiracy that supplied Patterson with the Phelps County methamphetamine. Patterson was in St. Louis, Mo., with this group when Hampton was seized. Hampton was seized because conspirators thought he could help find the drugs and money stolen by co-conspirator David Richards. When they realized Hampton could not or would not help, he was restrained and beaten. Hampton was then transported from St. Louis to Kansas City, in the trunk of his car. Brittanie Broyles, who was with Hampton and witnessed him being beaten and restrained, was also taken to Kansas City.

On Aug. 6, 2018, Hampton’s car and body were discovered burning in Bates City, Mo.  On Aug. 8, 2018, Broyles’s body was recovered by the Super Flea in the Northeast area of Kansas City. She had been murdered by two gunshots to her head. Witnesses and video identified Patterson following co-defendant Gerald Ginnings, 42, of Kansas City, Mo., in a co-conspirator’s car as Ginnings drove Hampton’s car to Bates City. Ginnings pleaded guilty on Friday, Oct. 21, to the same charges as Patterson.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony crime to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Patterson has prior felony convictions for involuntary manslaughter, distributing a controlled substance, and tampering with physical evidence.

Patterson is among 30 co-defendants who have pleaded guilty in this case and its companion case.

Patterson must pay a money judgment not to exceed $4,160,000, which represents the proceeds he received from the drug-trafficking conspiracy, as determined by the court at the time of his sentencing. That forfeiture amount is based on the unlawful distribution of approximately 520 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average price of $8,000 per kilogram.

Under federal statutes, Patterson is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Rhoades and Robert M. Smith. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Sni Valley Fire Department, the Jackson, Lafayette, Buchanan, and Phelps County, Mo., Sheriff’s Departments, the FBI, the Jackson County Drug Task Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the St. James, Mo., Police Department.

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Trinidad & Tobago Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Using Social Media to Solicit Sexual Exploitation Material from Teen Girl

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

 

MIAMI – A Lake Worth, Fla., man who pretended to be a teenage boy to get a 13-year-old girl in South Carolina to send him nude videos of herself was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release on charges of production of child sexual exploitation material.

Beginning in 2020, Olinto Lynch, a.k.a. “Olintonaruto,” communicated with at least two 13-year-old girls on a social media application. Lynch told the girls he was a teenager and used sexually charged conversations to request things from them. He promised gifts and preyed upon their troubled lives. His relationship with one of the girls lasted more than a year and he even drove to South Carolina to meet her. The second relationship lasted several weeks and he convinced the girl to produce images and inappropriate videos. This stopped when the second child’s mother uncovered the conversations and reported Lynch’s social media profile to the FBI.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Lynch’s social media account as well as his Lake Worth residence. There it was discovered that he was from Trinidad & Tobago and had been residing illegally in the United States since March 2020. Agents found sexual exploitation videos of the second girl on his phone, to which he confessed.

Juan Antonio Gonzalez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and acting Special Agent in Charge Robert M. DeWitt, FBI Miami, announced the guilty plea.

FBI West Palm Beach investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Schiller prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Stone is handling asset forfeiture.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by 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 the Project Safe Childhood initiative and for information regarding Internet safety, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

To report online child sexual exploitation, use the electronic Cyber Tip Line or call 1-800-843-5678.  The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 20-cr-80087.

 

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US and World News

Credit Suisse’s possible First Boston revival may face hurdles

by Reuters
By: Reuters

By Megan Davies

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Credit Suisse may want to revive the First Boston brand for its investment bank – but doing so could be complicated and possibly costly.

The embattled Swiss lender is set to announce a reorganization on Thursday which could include selling various parts of its business as it tries to raise cash. The bank could also spin off or separate part of its advisory and investment banking business.

A source familiar with the matter said the bank is considering rebranding its investment bank using First Boston as part of that reorganization, confirming reports in Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.

However, a number of other companies or entities have been using the First Boston brand.

The source said Credit Suisse has been making efforts to reclaim the First Boston brand since retiring it years ago. It was unclear whether Credit Suisse would be happy to co-exist with the other First Boston brands.

Credit Suisse declined comment.

Among entities using the brand is website which advertises itself as “the first call for acquisitions.” When contacted by Reuters, FirstBoston.net said via email that it was not affiliated with Credit Suisse and declined comment on whether Credit Suisse had contacted it. A representative listed on the United States Patent and Trademark Office under the First Boston trademark filing did not respond to a request for comment.

Another company with First Boston branding is First Boston Advisors, an investment banking advisory business previously branded as Methuselah Advisors. The firm is owned by former First Boston bankers who have advised on major media and digital deals. A representative for the firm did not respond to a request for comment.

First Boston Capital Partners, a homebuilding financing company, also includes the First Boston name. A representative did not respond to a request for comment.

Still, while the USPTO database is good evidence of whether a person or entity owns a trademark, it is not conclusive, according to a lawyer who declined to be identified due to confidentiality.

A person or entity could be using a trademark under license, the lawyer said. In addition, U.S. trademark rights generally derive from the use of the trademark in the marketplace. If a person or entity abandons a brand name, they lose the rights whether they own the piece of paper or not, that lawyer said.

Buying rights can be expensive. Meta Platforms Inc, the owner of social media network Facebook, was behind a $60 million deal to acquire the trademark assets of U.S. regional bank Meta Financial Group in December, according to spokespeople at the time.

CREDIT SUISSE AND FIRST BOSTON’S HISTORY

Credit Suisse’s history with the First Boston investment bank dates back to 1978 when the pair linked up to operate in the London bond market. In 1988 they announced a merger to increase the Swiss bank’s presence on Wall Street, creating CS First Boston. That was followed by a tough time for First Boston which had suffered the loss of famed bankers Bruce Wasserstein and Joseph Perella.

However, in June 2005 the bank said it would adopt a single Credit Suisse brand for its banking business. In its 2005 annual report it said the brand name Credit Suisse First Boston was no longer used.

“The argument they would likely make is (First Boston) comes with market recognition that they might find helpful with certain associations really intrinsic to investment banking,” said Melanie McShane, Executive Director, Strategy at brand company Siegel+Gale.

If Credit Suisse did indeed revive the brand, it would not be the first bank to make such a move. Kingswood Capital Markets bought the rights to use the bulge bracket bank brand EF Hutton in 2021 while Salomon Encore describes itself as a “Modern Salomon Brothers”. The original Salomon Brothers was an investment bank that revolutionized bond trading in the 1980s and whose CEO was dubbed the “King of Wall Street.”

McShane said that reviving First Boston would probably see Credit Suisse “try and brush over that the brand was abandoned.”

“I’d speculate a lot of this is about employee retention… and retaining the best dealmakers,” said McShane.

(Reporting by Megan Davies; Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Josie Kao)

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Virginia Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

            WASHINGTON — A Virginia man was arrested today on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            Henos Woldemichael, 21, of Burke, Virginia, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, as well as related misdemeanor offenses. Woldemichael was arrested in the District of Columbia. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in the District of Columbia.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Woldemichael illegally entered the Capitol grounds. At approximately 2:47 p.m., he entered the Capitol. He then aggressively pushed a podium placed in the middle doorway – which had acted as a barrier between the law enforcement officers and the rioters – against the officers. He moved into the vestibule, where he recorded a selfie stating, “See grandkids, this is what it’s all about. This is why you’re free. All these great patriots.”

            He then moved to the Crypt and other areas, including the office of Senator Jeff Merkley, where he knocked over a lamp. Woldemichael left the Capitol at approximately 3:16 p.m.

            This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

            The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police, the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Department, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 21 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 880 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 270 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. 

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Albany Felon Admits to Possessing Cocaine and Heroin for Distribution, and Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rodney Matthews, age 49, of Albany, pled guilty today to possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and heroin, and to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Chief Eric Hawkins of the Albany Police Department (APD).

As part of his plea, Matthews admitted to possessing 306 grams of cocaine and 95 grams of heroin at his apartment in Albany, as well as approximately $12,000, which represented the proceeds of his drug trafficking.  Matthews, a previously convicted felon, further admitted to possessing a loaded, privately manufactured .357 caliber semi-automatic pistol (a/k/a a “ghost gun”) in order to guard against the potential theft of his drugs and proceeds.  Matthews was initially arrested by APD officers after he was observed firing the pistol into a telephone pole outside of his residence. 

Matthews faces at least 5 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life, when he is sentenced on February 22, 2023, by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including APD.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Albany Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Obstruction of Justice

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael P. Fish, age 27, of Albany, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of his June 27, 2022 guilty plea, Fish admitted that he submitted seven fraudulent character letters to United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino in December 2019, in an effort to deceive the Court and obtain leniency during his sentencing in a now-concluded criminal case in which Fish was convicted of computer hacking, identity theft and child [censored]ography crimes.  Fish admitted that he doctored four letters, including one from a priest, and fabricated another three letters, including ones purportedly from his mother and grandparents.

In his underlying criminal case, Fish was sentenced to 111 months in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release, for computer fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with his hacking of online social media accounts and theft of nude images of dozens of female victims, as well as possession of child [censored]ography.  Fish’s term of imprisonment for obstruction of justice will begin immediately after his prison sentence in the underlying case concludes. 

This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal.

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Couple Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Steal Government Property

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Irvis Jorge, age 44, and Pamela Febo, age 38, of Keansburg, New Jersey, each pled guilty today to conspiring to steal government property.  The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Janeen DiGuiseppi, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Anthony J. Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS); and New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Commissioner Roberta Reardon.

The defendants admitted to a conspiracy in which they agreed to, and did, submit a fraudulent unemployment insurance claim to NYSDOL using Jorge’s personal identifying information, at a time when Jorge was an inmate in DOCCS custody.  Febo submitted the application at Jorge’s direction in October 2020 and continued to re-certify Jorge’s benefits eligibility each week for approximately four months.  Each weekly certification indicated that Jorge was “able and available to start work immediately” even though Febo knew Jorge remained incarcerated and could not work.  NYSDOL paid the defendants $27,348 based on the repeated false certifications. 

The charge to which the defendants pled guilty carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  Sentencing will take place before Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.  Both defendants agreed to pay restitution for the full amount of funds stolen as well as forfeiture of the proceeds they still have.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the DOCCS Office of Special Investigations, and the NYSDOL Office of Special Investigations.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Latest National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Saturday, October 29, 2022, offers another opportunity to safely, conveniently, and anonymously dispose of unneeded medications as the latest DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, 2022, sites throughout the Southern District of West Virginia will accept tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted. DEA will accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed. A collection site finder and partner toolbox are available at http://www.DEATakeBack.com.

“Removing old and unwanted medications from the home means they can’t be misused or contribute to our addiction and overdose crisis,” said United States Attorney Will Thompson. “This simple step can absolutely save lives and reduce harm.”

Unused prescription drugs thrown in the trash can be retrieved and abused or illegally sold, while unused drugs that are flushed contaminate the water supply. A majority of people who abuse prescription drugs obtained them from family and friends – and the home medicine cabinet.

“This is a great time for all of us to clean out our medicine cabinets and help keep prescription drugs out of the wrong hands,” said Special Agent in Charge Todd Scott, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Division. “This one small act can have a big impact on the safety of our communities.”

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting. Working in close partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 7,995 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. These efforts are directly in line with DEA’s priority to combat the rise of overdoses plaguing the United States. During the previous Take Back Day in April 2022, more than 5,140 sites nationwide collected 360 tons of unneeded medications.

 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.

 

 

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Department of Justice Press Releases

U.S. Attorney Announces Coordinated Law Enforcement Actions to Combat Violent Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced criminal charges today against 42 defendants related to racketeering, violence, narcotics distribution, and federal firearms offenses. The charges stem from five separate investigations conducted by federal, state and local enforcement partners.

“Keeping New Jersey safe and reducing violent crime are core to this Office’s mission, and I have no higher priority as U.S. Attorney. The scourge of senseless gun violence plagues too many of our communities, particularly in our urban centers. We are committed to protecting the public from violent criminal organizations, and we will relentlessly hold those who harm and threaten the public accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger. “The arrests and charges announced today were achieved through my Office’s collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners through our Violent Crime Initiative. Our VCI model targets the dangerous offenders and criminal organizations throughout New Jersey who threaten the public and perpetrate violence within our most vulnerable communities.”

The Violent Crime Initiative (VCI)  is a collaborative, multi-agency program designed to combine the resources of New Jersey’s federal, state, and local law enforcement to identify, target, and prosecute violent offenders and criminal organizations throughout New Jersey. “Selflessly working and coordinating with our law enforcement partners has strengthened our ability to better protect the public from violent actors and organized criminal conduct. The charges announced today resulted from that team effort,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger.  

U.S. Attorney Sellinger also noted that shooting incidents statewide and in cities where the VCIs operate are appreciably lower than the year-to-date total from last year, including a 23% reduction statewide, a 30% reduction in Newark, 27% reduction in Jersey City, and 12% reduction in Paterson. 

“These decreases are not a reason for anyone to rest easy or let up, but it is a positive note for our communities that have seen all too much violence,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.

“My primary responsibility and focus as Attorney General is keeping the residents of our state safe – whether by tackling a rise in auto thefts or taking actions to prevent gun violence, including by holding violent offenders accountable,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. “Today, as a result of the efforts of various law enforcement agencies, we are once again demonstrating that effectively investigating and prosecuting violent crimes requires collaboration across local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.  We are, quite simply, stronger and more effective when we collaborate, communicate, and share resources — which is precisely the type of partnerships we are fortunate to have here in New Jersey.”

“The Violent Crime Initiative plays an integral role in identifying and removing the most violent offenders in our communities,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson said. “Three of DEA’s investigations have resulted in the removal of 73 guns, more than 100 arrests, and the seizure of multiple kilograms of narcotics. It is the teamwork of law enforcement at every level working together toward the same goal that makes these investigations successful.”

“ATF remains vigilant in its pursuit of the most violent offenders in our communities by utilizing crime gun intelligence to disrupt the shooting cycle, and to prosecute shooters and their sources of crime guns,” ATF Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews said. “We will continue to exploit investigative and data-driven leads derived from ATF’s National Tracing Center and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN), which is vital for both fair and impartial policing. These arrests send a clear and direct message of ATF’s continued commitment to combat violent crime and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to safeguard the public from violence.”

“Violent crime in every form negatively impacts quality of life for every person left in its wake,” FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “The citizens of New Jersey – and across this country – have the absolute right to feel safe in their homes, their communities, and their country, which is why the FBI places great emphasis on eradicating violence. It is a lofty goal and one that may seem unreachable in these divisive times. But we will continue to fight this fight alongside our federal, state, and local partners for as long as it takes. We ask the community to take an active role – if you see something, report it. We cannot let violence rule our way of life.” 

The charges and arrests announced today are summarized below, followed by tables setting forth the names, ages, and residences of those charged, as well as the charges against them. 

Oscar Miles Housing Complex Drug Trafficking Organization

Today, 14 individuals were charged by criminal complaints with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics, including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. According to the allegations in the complaints, the charged defendants participated in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) made up members and associates of the Grape Street Crips street gang. The organization controlled the drug trade in and around the Oscar Miles Village housing complex in Newark.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, investigators of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, investigators from the U.S. Marshal Service, under the direction of Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., investigators of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Fritz Fragé, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Oscar Miles investigation.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Fassanello of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Olta Bejleri of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit. 

Rollin’ 60’s Neighborhood Crips Criminal Organization

Ten members and associates of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips street gang were recently charged by superseding indictment with participating in a racketeering conspiracy involving drug trafficking, carjackings, robberies, non-fatal shootings, and murder. According to the allegations in the superseding indictment, from in or around 2015 through 2022, the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal organization operated in Essex and Union Counties, the New Jersey prison system, and elsewhere in New Jersey and nationally. During this alleged conspiracy, several of the charged defendants committed multiple non-fatal shootings and a murder, in furtherance of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips criminal organization.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the DEA, under Special Agent in Charge Gibson’s direction, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey L. Matthews, as well as investigators of the U.S. Marshals Service, under Marshal Juan Mattos’ direction; the Irvington Police Department, under the direction of Police Division Director Tracy Bowers, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Fragé, the Bloomfield Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Samuel A. DeMaio, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura’s direction, the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Chief Phyllis L. Bindi, the Elizabeth Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Earl J. Graves, the Edison Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Tom Bryan, the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor William A. Daniel, the Spotswood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Philip Corbisiero, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, which includes members of the FBI, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Rollin 60’s investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesca Liquori, Chief of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.   

Bounty Hunter Bloods Criminal Organization

Seven members and associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods street gang were indicted for participating in a racketeering conspiracy that involved the commission of multiple murders, multiple non-fatal shootings, fraud, and narcotics distribution. According to the allegations in the indictment, from in or around 2019 to 2022, the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization operated in Somerset, Middlesex, Passaic, and Mercer Counties, as well as within the New Jersey prison system. During that period, several of the charged defendants are alleged to have committed violent acts, including murder, a mass shooting, and assaults with deadly weapons, all in furtherance of the affairs of Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization.  In one instance, members of the Bounty Hunter Bloods are alleged to have shot nine people in New Brunswick, killing two.  Over the course of this conspiracy, members and associates of the Bounty Hunter Bloods criminal organization are alleged to have shot 16 people in New Jersey, killing three.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy in Newark, as well as investigators of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John McDonald, the New Brunswick Police Department, under the direction of Director Anthony Caputo, and the Franklin Township Police Department, under the direction of Director of Public Safety Quovella Mayweather, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Bounty Hunter Bloods investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kendall Randolph of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Tracey Agnew of the Criminal Division in Trenton.

Lincoln Park Drug Trafficking Organization

Six defendants were charged by criminal complaints with conspiring to participate in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl and crack-cocaine in and around Lincoln Park in Newark. This investigation also resulted in the seizure of 13 firearms and quantities of cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the ATF, under Special Agent in Charge Matthews’s direction, special agents of the DEA, under Special Agent in Charge Gibson’s direction, investigators of the Newark Police Department, under Public Safety Director Fragé’s direction, and investigators of the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Fontoura’s direction, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Lincoln Park investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the National Security Unit.

Trinitarios

Five members and associates of several branches of the Trinitarios street gang were arrested and charged by criminal complaints with conspiring to distribute cocaine and heroin, as well as firearms offenses. According to the allegations in the complaints, the defendants conducted their narcotics and firearms activities in and around the Fifth Ward of Paterson.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under Special Agent in Charge Dennehy’s direction, investigators of the Paterson Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Jerry Speziale, and investigators of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, for the investigations leading to the charges in the Trinitarios investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Sulkowski of the Organized Crime/Gangs Unit and Edeli Rivera of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit.

The investigations leading to the charges in the Oscar Miles, Rollin 60s, and Trinitarios investigations were part of Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaints and indictments are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 

Oscar Miles Housing Complex Drug Trafficking Organization

Defendant

Age

Residence

Charge

Thomas Barney

47

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Najuwan Blake-Williams

 

23

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Altray Brown

29

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Ali Carney

44

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Najee Carney

21

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Mookadean Cheeseboro

35

Essex County

Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon

Tyrone Cradle

26

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Michael Griffin

32

Essex County

Possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon

Jaquan McAllister

21

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Ikaim McSwain

32

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Latif Terry

39

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Shaquan Ward

37

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Taji Williams

37

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

Zaid Williams

35

Essex County

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

 

 Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips Criminal Organization

Defendant

Age

Residence

Charge

Jason Franklin,
aka “Freak,”
aka “OG Freak”

38

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm

Elijah Williams,
aka “Lil Smith”

22

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy

Tre Byrd,
aka “Bands,”
aka “G Bandz”

21

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy

Kareem Green,
aka “Try Me”

31

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy

Tyheim Terry,
aka “Ty,”
aka “Rollin’ Ty”

24

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy, Carjacking, possession of firearm in furtherance of crime of violence

Amir Warden,
aka “Stampz,”
aka “Killa”

30

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy

Rahjon Cox, aka “Tsu Surf”

32

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy, felon in possession of firearms and ammunition

Amir Edmonds, aka “G Baby”

21

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime

Abdul Yarrell,
aka “Runit Up,”
aka “BB”

23

Union County

RICO Conspiracy

Nygee Johnson,
aka “Gito”

24

Essex County

RICO Conspiracy

 

Bounty Hunter Bloods Criminal Organization

Defendant

Age

Residence

Charge

Walter Boyd,
aka “Walt,”
aka “Walt Daddy”

34

Middlesex County

RICO Conspiracy

Isiah Daniels,
aka “Ice”

34

Middlesex County

RICO Conspiracy

Joel Lyons,
aka “Jayski”

21

Middlesex County

RICO Conspiracy

Gede Maccelus,
aka “G Baby”

21

Mercer County

RICO Conspiracy

Armando Ortiz,
aka “Mando”

24

Somerset County

RICO Conspiracy

Malik Stringer,
aka “Rambo”

24

Somerset County

RICO Conspiracy

Kimani Wanyoike,
aka “Ki”

21

Somerset County

RICO Conspiracy

 

Lincoln Park Drug Trafficking Investigation

Defendant

Age

Residence

Charge

Ramon Mangan

39

Newark

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon

Jamar Farrell

44

Newark

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon

Khalid Holland

43

Newark

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Tyree Norris

33

Newark

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, Possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon,

Possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Ted Sanon

22

Hillside, New Jersey

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base

*Dashawn Hines

* not charged in drug trafficking conspiracy

23

Newark

Possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, Possession with intent to distribute controlled substances

 

Trinitarios

Defendant

Age

Residence

Charge

Andy Dilone

23

Paterson, New Jersey

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine

Malvin Pena,
aka “Rabia”

28

Paterson

Unlawful possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, distribution of heroin

Andy Santiago Sanchez-Polanco,
aka “Tigre”

25

Paterson

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Jefry Tupete,
aka “Jeff”

33

Paterson

Distribution of heroin

Cesar Valerio,
aka “Chico Trini”

30

Paterson

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine

 

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Don’t be Silent on Environmental Violations. Make your Voices Heard.

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

In South Florida, we are blessed to live in an amazing environment full of natural beauty and the weather to enjoy it year-round. This combination makes South Florida one of the premiere areas of our country within which to live, work, and raise our families. Ensuring our parks, natural resources, and surroundings are preserved for future generations requires our continued attention. We must act as a community to protect our aquatic assets, agricultural lands, and public spaces to maintain the quality of life that has drawn so many to our communities.  That is why each one of us should look out for environmental violations and report them promptly. Notifying our law enforcement partners and my Office helps us protect our communities from harmful violations of federal health and safety laws.  It also ensures everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and has equal access to a healthy environment.

Who to contact:

  • If the violation impacts air quality, climate change, chemicals, health, water, land, waste, and cleanup, report the violation to the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations.
  • Workplace conditions such as chemicals or noxious fumes? Contact Occupational Safety and Health Administration at (800) 321-6742.
  • Harm to wildlife by pesticides? Dial (800) 344-9453 for U.S. Fish & Wildlife.
  • Illegal harming/harassing wildlife? Call U.S. Fish & Wildlife at (305) 526-2620.
  • Wetland destruction? Contact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at (800) 832-7828.
  • If the violation concerns medications and other products for human consumption, contact Food & Drug Administration at (888) 463-6332.
  • Contact the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802 to report an oil or chemical spill.

Residents encouraged to also contact the USAO at (305) 961-9001 or by email at [email protected] when contacting local, state, or federal agency hotlines or websites to report concerns.

As Floridians, we know what makes this area special. Let’s do what we can to keep it that way. Let your voices be heard.

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US and World News

Dollar sells off on speculation of less hawkish Fed, euro regains parity

by Reuters
By: Reuters

By John McCrank

NEW YORK (Reuters) – The U.S. dollar sank more than 1% against a basket of peers on Wednesday as weakening economic data firmed views that the Federal Reserve will slow the pace of its rate hiking cycle, sending the euro back above parity with the greenback for the first time in a month.

At 3:15 p.m. EDT (1915 GMT), the dollar was down 1.118% at 109.7 against a basket of six currencies, its weakest since Sept. 20.

The dollar’s decline came as the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yield continued its descent from last week’s multi-year high of 4.338%, and was last down four basis points at 4.0317%.

“Broad dollar weakness and further but milder declines in U.S. Treasury yields than yesterday appear to reflect wishful thinking toward a Fed pivot next week,” said Derek Holt, head of capital markets at Scotia Economics.

The aggressive pace of Fed tightening this year, aimed at taming stubbornly high inflation, has turbo-charged the dollar.

Traders and economists predict a fourth-straight 75 basis-point interest rate increase next Wednesday, but there is growing speculation that the central bank will slow to half a point in December.

The view that the Fed could begin to pivot in December was reinforced by data on Tuesday that showed U.S. home prices sank in August as surging mortgage rates sapped demand.

Data on Wednesday showed that sales of new U.S. single-family homes dropped in September and data for the prior month was revised lower, supporting the view that Fed rate increases are already working to tap the breaks on the world’s biggest economy.

The European common currency was up 1.11% at $1.0079, its highest since Sept. 13.

Sterling also hit its highest since Sept. 13, surging 1.33% to $1.1625, extending the previous day’s 1.6% gain when markets took succour from Rishi Sunak becoming Britain’s prime minister.

“Optimism that Rishi Sunak and his team will restore stability and credibility in the UK is overshadowing the very difficult economic situation that he has inherited,” said Fiona Cincotta, senior financial markets analyst at City Index.

Elsewhere, the Bank of Canada hiked interest rates by a smaller-than-expected 50 basis points and said future increases would be influenced by its assessment of how tighter policy was working to slow demand and ease inflation.

The Canadian dollar initially fell against the U.S. dollar after the Bank of Canada decision, which was the second consecutive reduction in the size of rate rises after a 100 basis-point move in July and 75 basis points last month, but then firmed up again. The loonie hit a three-week high of 1.35105 earlier in the day.

The dollar slumped 1.55% against China’s offshore yuan, while the onshore yuan finished the domestic trading session at 7.1825 per dollar, the strongest close since Oct. 12.

Market participants became cautious after major state-owned banks were spotted selling the dollar in the previous session to stabilise the market, traders said, wondering if the yuan has reached its peak weakness for the time being. [CNY/]

The dollar also fell against the Japanese yen, sliding 1.11% to 146.290.

Cryptocurrencies extended their sharp rallies from the day before. Bitcoin was 4.45% higher at $20,981.

(Reporting by John McCrank in New York and Alun John in London; Editing by Jamie Freed, David Holmes, Hugh Lawson and Marguerita Choy)

tagreuters.com2022binary_LYNXMPEI9P01U-BASEIMAGE

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Danville Woman Sentenced For Embezzling More Than $66,000 From Saint Anselm College

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

            CONCORD – Renee Crawford, 35, of Danville was sentenced to 2 years of probation with six months of home confinement and ordered to pay full restitution for embezzling $66,114.02 from Saint Anselm College, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, Crawford was employed as the Assistant Vice President of Finance for the College.  In her role, Crawford had authority to manage invoice approvals, enter vendor information, and had oversight of the Finance Office’s credit card program.

            Crawford used her access to submit fraudulent invoices for a company that she created, receiving more than $44,000 from the College which she used for personal purchases. In addition, Crawford used two College issued credit cards to make personal purchases, such as family vacations and theme park tickets, totaling nearly $22,000.

            According to statements made in court, Crawford is making full restitution to Saint Anselm College today.

            “As the Assistant Vice President of Finance for St. Anselm College, Renee Crawford went to great lengths to submit phony receipts for thousands of dollars in personal purchases, including family vacations and theme park tickets,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Defrauding her employer not only exhibited poor judgement, but it is a federal crime for which she has now been held accountable.”

            The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Goffstown Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Member of 8Ave Street Gang Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison After Conviction of Distributing Narcotics and Illegal Possession of Firearm

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

CLEVELAND – Kindell Smith, 32, of Cleveland, was sentenced today to more than 12 years – or 146 months –  in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker.  Judge Barker pronounced the sentence after Smith, a member of the “8Ave” street gang known to operate in the city of Cleveland’s 5th District, was convicted of participating in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine and illegal possession of a firearm.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 14, 2020, law enforcement officers with the Southeast Area Law Enforcement (SEALE) began an investigation into the suspected drug trafficking activities of Smith.  As part of the investigation, authorities encountered Smith distributing fentanyl and cocaine near the 3200 block of Central Avenue in Cleveland.

On May 19, 2020, authorities again encountered Smith, this time with codefendants Darrell Douglas and Dreshawn Maddox, who each have been convicted and sentenced on a prior date, distributing fentanyl from a vehicle.  During this encounter, authorities approached the vehicle and ordered the occupants to show their hands.  The vehicle then sped away from the scene and struck the driver’s side of a law enforcement vehicle.

Officers removed the occupants from the vehicle and observed Smith attempting to hide a firearm under the driver’s seat.  The firearm belonging to Smith was later recovered along with various amounts of fentanyl and crack cocaine.

Smith is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions of drug trafficking and felonious assault in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Cleveland Division of Police and the Southeast Area Law Enforcement.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Payum Doroodian and Robert F. Corts.

 

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Three Members Of Caribbean Arms Trafficking Ring Charged With Conspiracy To Smuggle Goods From The United States

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Tevin OBrian Oliver (29, Homestead), Jameal Kaia Phillip (30, Trinidad and Tobago), and Edward Soloman King III (31, Tampa) with conspiracy to smuggle goods from the United States. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

According to the indictment, Oliver, Phillip, and King were part of a ring that unlawfully exported firearms, firearms components (including upper/lower receivers and gun parts kits), and related items from Florida to Trinidad and Tobago between 2019 and 2022. Oliver and Phillip are both nationals of Trinidad. The firearms, which included pistols and rifles, and related equipment were concealed within boxing/fight equipment, speakers, and other household items to avoid detection by law enforcement and customs authorities. Conspirators also acquired firearms in the Tampa area from different sellers through straw purchases, falsely representing the identities of the actual purchasers and recipients of the firearms, as well as their ultimate destination.

On April 7, 2021, Oliver shipped a package concealing and containing various firearms and related equipment, including a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, a SAR Arms SAR-9 9mm pistol, a Taurus G3 9mm pistol, and a Ruger Security-9 9mm pistol, from Miami to Trinidad and Tobago. On April 22, 2021, authorities at the Piarco International Airport in Trinidad seized those firearms and other related items that had been concealed in the shipment.

King was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Middle District of Florida on October 25, 2022. Phillip was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Florida on October 25, 2022. Oliver was arrested and made his initial appearance in federal court in the Southern District of Florida on October 26, 2022.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, including HSI’s Attaché, Caribbean, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (Transnational Organized Crime Unit and Special Investigations Unit), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and United States Customs and Border Protection. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Scruggs.

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Department of Justice Press Releases

Statement of the United States Attorney’s Office Regarding Justice Department Efforts to Protect Voting Rights

by DOJ Press
By: DOJ Press

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Department of Justice today released its comprehensive press release (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-releases-information-efforts-protect-right-vote-prosecute-election-fraud) on federal efforts to protect voting rights and to prohibit intimidation, discrimination, and fraud in the November 8 general election and the pre-election-day voting that has already begun.

As this statement indicates, the Justice Department is committed to ensuring that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted free of intimidation, discrimination, or fraud in the election process. Here in Arizona, we have terrific partnerships with reasoned and dedicated local, county and state officials, and we expect that our deputy sheriffs and municipal police officers will be the front line in efforts to ensure that all qualified voters are able to exercise their right to vote free of intimidation or other election abuses.

We’ll nonetheless be watching federally. As the several election threat-related cases pending federal felony charges from alleged criminal activity arising out of our State show, acts which cross the line will not go unaddressed. We have a long history of civil dialogue and civic engagement here in Arizona, and we will vigorously safeguard all Arizonans’ rights to freely and lawfully cast their ballot during the election.

 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2022-190_USAO Protect Voting Rights Statement

 

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

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