Operating - Shore News Network

Is a Chinese drone ship operating off the coast of New Jersey? One congressman has his suspicion

Breaking Local News ReportDecember 11, 20240

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, N.J. — Amid growing reports of unidentified drone activity over New Jersey, Congressman Chris Smith (R-Manchester) spent Monday night at Island Beach State Park with Ocean County Sheriff Mike Mastronardy, raising concerns that the drones may be originating from a ship-based source off the coast, possibly linked to a foreign nation like China. The unusual sightings, which have unsettled residents and local authorities, prompted Smith to join Mastronardy in monitoring the area. The congressman, a vocal critic of foreign surveillance, compared the situation to the Chinese spy balloon that traversed U.S. airspace last year, highlighting the

Twenty Charged in Joint New Jersey, Pennsylvania Drug Operation Bust Operating Out of Philadelphia

Breaking Local News ReportNovember 20, 20240

**HARRISBURG, PA** – Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, alongside the Pennsylvania State Police and New Jersey State Police, announced charges against 20 individuals for alleged cocaine trafficking in the Philadelphia area. Investigators state the group, led by Anthony “Bang” Blake, protected their large-scale drug operation with firearms.

Earlier this month, authorities executed multiple search warrants, which led to the recovery of 20 firearms, 12.5 pounds of cocaine, other drugs, and cash. Warrants were primarily carried out in Philadelphia and New Jersey, assisted by New Jersey State Police. Among those arrested were Kenneth McCall, Tyrone Hayward, and others, while Khalil Rippy, Terrell Brice, and Jonathan Cruz still have active warrants.

All defendants face charges including felony possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, and some with illegal firearms possession. Blake, aged 45, was arraigned with nine felonies related to drug and firearms offenses and received a $500,000 bail.

Attorney General Henry highlighted the removal of a large network of dealers, while Colonel Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police emphasized their commitment to removing corruption. The New Jersey State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration also participated in the operation. The case will be

Honduran migrant imprisoned for operating D.C. cocaine stash house

Breaking Local News ReportSeptember 8, 20240

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Honduran national was sentenced Thursday to 32 months in federal prison for maintaining a stash house in Washington, D.C., used to store cocaine for a drug trafficking ring operating in the District of Columbia and Maryland, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Rodger Bonilla Vargas, 39, also known as “Paki,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge sentenced him to 32 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Bonilla Vargas, who is unlawfully

Toms River Puts Brakes on Illegal Homeless Shelter Operating Inside Public Park

Breaking Local News ReportAugust 29, 20240

Toms River, NJ – For years, the recreation building at Toms River’s Riverwood Park has been used each winter to house the homeless during cold winter days. That was under a program called “Code Blue,” which ran from November through March of each year. Now, Mayor Rodrick said that the shelter has been operating illegally, outside of the terms of a lease agreement enacted by the previous mayor and council. For years, officials from Just Believe, Inc. claimed they had been allowed to operate the facility year-round by previous Mayor Maurice “Mo” Hill, This year, after taking office, Mayor Dan

New Jersey Man Admits to Operating Illegal Cockfighting Ring

Breaking Local News ReportAugust 9, 20240

MAYS LANDING, NJ—Jose Madera, a 33-year-old resident of Egg Harbor City, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to charges related to operating a cockfighting ring from his property in Galloway Township. The charges include several counts of animal cruelty, involving the maiming and mutilation of roosters and neglect of dogs, as well as possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and resisting arrest. The plea agreement stipulates five years of probation, conditioned upon serving 364 days in the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Madera is also required to perform 30 days of community service, preferably at an animal shelter, and forfeit

Washington County Couple Arrested for Operating Large-Scale Drug Lab

Breaking Local News ReportJuly 24, 20240

Harrisburg, PA – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrests of Drew and Lauren Divelbliss of Washington County for operating a large-scale manufacturing lab producing DMT, Psilocybin mushrooms, and THC products. The operation was discovered at their home in Eighty Four, where approximately $200,000 in illegal narcotics and $300,000 in cash were seized. The Bureau of Narcotics Investigation executed a search warrant on Monday, revealing multiple rooms dedicated to the drug manufacturing process. The presence of dangerous chemicals in the home posed a significant risk, especially to the two children residing there. As a result, Drew Divelbliss, 36, and Lauren

Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Operating an Illegal Gambling Business and Tax Fraud

Indira PatelMay 2, 20240

According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2009 through 2022, Steven Saris, 49, of Canton, Ohio, owned and operated multiple illegal gambling businesses in Northeast Ohio including Café 62, Lucky’s, Winner’s World and Spin City. He also owned and operated such businesses in Springfield, Ohio, and throughout Florida. Saris concealed his involvement in these businesses by arranging for others to serve as nominee owners. An Ohio man pleaded guilty today to tax evasion, operating an illegal gambling business and two counts of money laundering associated with his ownership and operation of illegal gambling businesses in Northeast Ohio.

Arizona Man Convicted Of Operating A Jet Ski In A Negligent Manner At Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Indira PatelApril 30, 20240

United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts presided over the two-day bench trial. Bryce Tyrone Verhonich, 47, was found guilty of operating a vessel in a negligent manner, failing to wear a personal flotation device, and failing to attach an engine cut-off switch lanyard. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for August 5, 2024. LAS VEGAS – An Arizona resident was found guilty on Thursday for operating a jet ski in a negligent manner that resulted in the death of a passenger at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson made the announcement. According to court

Moldovan National Sentenced To Federal Prison For Operating Websites Involved In The Illicit Sale Of Compromised Computer Credentials

Indira PatelMarch 15, 20240

According to court documents, Diaconu developed, published online, and conspired with others to manage the operations of the E-Root Marketplace, a series of websites that operated for years and was used to sell access to compromised computers worldwide, including servers belonging to companies and individuals in the United States. The E-Root Marketplace operated across a widely distributed network and took steps to hide the identities of its administrators, buyers, and sellers. Buyers could search for compromised computer credentials on E-Root, such as usernames and passwords that would allow buyers to access remote computers for purposes of stealing private information or

New Jersey Investor Arrested for Operating $5 Million Ponzi Scheme at the Jersey Shore

Charlie DwyerMarch 8, 20240

NEWARK, NJ. – Vincent Dispoto Jr., a 66-year-old from Belmar, New Jersey, was arrested today on charges related to a fraudulent scheme spanning over three decades. The owner of the purported investment firm, Giddeon Financial Services, and the alleged mortgage company, Liberty Mortgage Services, Dispoto is accused of defrauding at least 30 victims out of more than $5 million. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the charges, including one count of wire fraud, with Dispoto scheduled for an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge André M. Espinosa in Newark federal court this afternoon. Court documents reveal that since 1988, Dispoto

New York Man Accused of Operating Illegal Slaughterhouse, Killing and Neglecting Dogs

Adam DevineJanuary 12, 20240

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – Suffolk County authorities have arrested 76-year-old Carlos Lauro of Riverhead on charges of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals and related offenses. Lauro allegedly shot two German Shepherds and is accused of operating an illegal slaughterhouse on his property, where numerous other animals were found dead or neglected. “Mr. Lauro is repeatedly the subject of various complaints to the Town regarding the condition of and activities at his Sound Avenue property. Responses to his property by Town Code Enforcement officials have revealed and led to prosecutions by the Riverhead Town Attorney’s Office for illegal animal sales, attempts to

Amistad Dam International Bridge in Del Rio is set to reopen and resume normal operating hours on Dec. 18

US Border PatrolDecember 17, 20230

DEL RIO, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations will reopen the Amistad Dam International Bridge after an extended closure due to a number of factors, including a still ongoing remodeling of the Mexico Customs installations located at the Amistad Dam and a two-week site inspection by the International Boundary and Water Commission. Effective on Monday December 18, 2023, the Amistad Dam International Bridge, located on Texas Spur 349 in Del Rio, Texas will reopen and resume normal operating hours of 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days a week. Hours at the Del Rio Port of

Two Men Charged for Operating $25M Cryptocurrency Ponzi Scheme

Indira PatelDecember 12, 20230

A superseding indictment was unsealed yesterday charging an Australian national and a California man with operating a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded victims of more than $25 million. According to court documents, David Gilbert Saffron, 51, of Australia, and Vincent Anthony Mazzotta Jr., 52, of Los Angeles, allegedly conspired to operate a fraudulent scheme to induce victims to invest in various trading programs that falsely promised to employ an artificial intelligence automated trading bot to trade victims’ investments in cryptocurrency markets and earn high-yield profits. Saffron and Mazzotta promoted the investment programs under various names including Circle Society, Bitcoin Wealth

Criminal Fine and Restitution Ordered for Company Operating Aluminum Processing Facility in the Dalles for Clean Air Act Violations

Indira PatelDecember 11, 20230

PORTLAND, Ore.—An Illinois-based company that operates an aluminum processing facility in The Dalles, Oregon, was ordered to pay a fine and restitution today for violating the Clean Air Act by negligently releasing a hazardous air pollutant from its facility. Hydro Extrusion USA (Hydro), a limited liability corporation based in Rosemont, Illinois, was ordered to pay a criminal fine of $550,000 and more than $213,000 in restitution to an employee sickened by the hazardous release. According to court documents, Hydro operates a secondary aluminum processing facility in The Dalles where it melts aluminum scrap in induction furnaces to produce reusable aluminum

Framingham Man Pleads Guilty to Operating Unlicensed Money Transmission Business

Indira PatelNovember 28, 20230

BOSTON – A Framingham man pleaded guilty today to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Luiz DaSilva, 69, pleaded guilty to one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business before U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, who scheduled sentencing for April 4, 2024. DaSilva was arrested and charged in December 2022. From in or about October 2018 through in or about October 2020, DaSilva failed to comply with federal registration requirements for money transmitting businesses in operating his business, Mix Cell Phones, LLC. The charge of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business provides for a sentence of up

First Quantum’s Panama mine not operating at commercial production levels

ReutersNovember 23, 20230

By Valentine Hilaire and Divya Rajagopal (Reuters) -A major Panama copper mine run by Canada’s First Quantum Minerals is not operating at commercial levels, a spokesman said on Thursday, following blockades by protesters at a key port that have prevented the miner from receiving shipments of coal that power the site and other supplies. Operations are set to resume once the port blockade is resolved, the spokesman added. Cobre Panama produced 112,734 metric tons of copper in the third quarter of 2023, and contributed $930 million to the firm’s overall third-quarter revenue of $2.02 billion. Protests have escalated since the

BA-owner IAG projects medium-term operating margin of 12%-15%

ReutersNovember 21, 20230

LONDON (Reuters) – British Airways-owner IAG on Tuesday said it would see a medium-term operating margin of 12% to 15%, while its outlook for the 2023 financial year remained unchanged after strong results in its third quarter as it opened its capital markets day. European airlines have reported strong earnings in their third quarters on the back of robust summer demand, but soaring jet fuel prices and political instability weighed on their outlooks and share prices. IAG added that it projected a medium-term return on invested capital at 13% to 16%. (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Editing by Louise Heavens)

Brothers sent to prison for operating $13M multi-state stolen goods enterprise

Indira PatelNovember 16, 20230

HOUSTON – Two naturalized U.S. citizens from Lebanon residing in Houston have been sentenced for their roles in large scale organized retail crime schemes, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Yasser Saleh Ouwad, 52, and his brother – Bilal Saleh Awad, 50, entered their guilty pleas Oct. 12, 2021 and Oct. 30, 2019, respectively, to conspiracy to transport stolen merchandise. U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Ouwad to serve 41 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to forfeit over $260,000 from

Russian and Moldovan National Pleads Guilty to Operating Illegal Botnet Proxy Service that Infected Tens of Thousands of Internet-Connected Devices Around the World

Indira PatelNovember 14, 20230

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Russian and Moldovan national pled guilty to three counts of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A) Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers. The FBI today revealed US law enforcement’s dismantlement of a botnet proxy network and its infrastructure associated with the IPStorm malware. According to online reports, the botnet infrastructure had infected Windows systems then further expanded to infect Linux, Mac, and Android devices, victimizing computers and other electronic devices around the world, including in Asia, Europe, North America and South America. In connection with the operation of that IPStorm malware and botnet

CBP to temporarily expand operating hours of SENTRI Trusted Traveler Program vehicle lanes at Calexico West Port of Entry

US Border PatrolNovember 10, 20230

CALEXICO, Calif., — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials announced today that they will temporarily expand the hours of operation for the SENTRI Trusted Traveler Program vehicle lanes at the Calexico West Port of Entry. On Monday, November 13, CBP will conduct a two-month pilot program expanding the port’s hours of operation to 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Current, or normal, operating hours are from 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Monday-Friday and 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. “To better serve our Trusted Traveler Program members and continue increasing our flexibility, we will be

Couple Charged for Operating Multimillion-Dollar Pyramid Scheme

Indira PatelNovember 9, 20230

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned an indictment yesterday charging a Texas couple for operating an illegal pyramid scheme that defrauded thousands of participants of more than $10 million. According to court documents, LaShonda Moore, 35, and Marlon Moore, 37, co-founded and ran an illegal pyramid scheme called Blessings in No Time (BINT). BINT was allegedly a chain-referral pyramid scheme that targeted the African American community during the COVID-19 pandemic with false and misleading promises that participants could expect 800% guaranteed returns and guaranteed refunds if participants were unsatisfied with the program. The Moores allegedly

Honda posts 31% Q2 operating profit jump, raises full-year forecast

ReutersNovember 9, 20230

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan’s Honda Motor posted a 31% increase in operating profit for the September quarter on Thursday, lifted by stronger sales in the United States and a weaker yen, and raised its full-year forecast by 20%. Japan’s second-biggest automaker by sales said operating profit totalled 302.1 billion yen ($2.0 billion) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with an average 345.3 billion yen estimate in a poll of 10 analysts by LSEG. Like its rivals, Honda has benefited from a weak yen and solid U.S. sales, which helped offset decreasing sales in China, where it faces growing price

Bridgewater adds AI, risk experts to its operating board

ReutersOctober 17, 20230

By Carolina Mandl NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s biggest hedge funds, on Tuesday announced changes to its operating board of directors, adding experts on risk and artificial intelligence. Helene Glotzer, Bridgewater’s head of enterprise risk, will join the board as partner director. Jason Warner, CEO of artificial intelligence company Poolside, will join as an outside director, bringing in over 20 years of software development experience, the fund said in a statement. John Megrue, who joined Bridgewater as an outside director in 2017, will end his term at year-end. Noah Yechiely, Bridgewater’s co-head of equities research,

Here Are the Spirit Halloween Stores Operating in New Jersey This Year

Phil StiltonOctober 9, 20230

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ – As Halloween nears, Spirit Halloween stores across New Jersey are preparing to welcome customers for in-store shopping. The festive atmosphere and the signature orange and black signs are a familiar sight for residents looking for costumes, decorations, and party essentials. Spirit Halloween, known for its wide range of Halloween costumes, decorations, and accessories, has multiple pop-up stores in various townships across New Jersey. Among these are locations in Aberdeen, Bridgewater, Burlington, Cherry Hill, Clifton, Deptford, East Brunswick, East Hanover, Eatontown, Egg Harbor, Franklin, Freehold, Glassboro, Hackettstown, Holmdel, Howell, Lawrenceville, Manahawkin, Manalapan, Marlton, Mays Landing, Middletown, Morris

US carriers accelerate to bigger planes to overcome operating constraints

ReutersOctober 5, 20230

By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) – United Airlines’ plan to navigate the operating constraints dogging U.S. carriers is simple – bigger planes. In announcing plans on Tuesday to order 110 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, Chicago-based United cited the shortage of air-traffic controllers, congested airspace and limitations on runways and airport gates that have forced many carriers to cut the number of flights they offer. With United expecting those problems to worsen by the end of the decade as demand surges, it is buying bigger planes with more seats – a strategy rival airlines have embarked upon as well.