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STATEMENTS & RELEASES

Presidential Message on National Stalking Awareness Month, 2021

LAW & JUSTICE

Issued on: January 1, 2021

ALL NEWS

Millions of Americans each year are victims of stalking, a disturbing crime that restricts an individual’s ability to live a productive, peaceful, and fulfilling life. Throughout National Stalking Awareness Month, we recognize this form of bullying and intimidation and recommit to addressing and preventing this harmful behavior that devastates so many individuals and their families and friends.

Today, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 17 men experience stalking in their lifetime, and nearly 7 in 10 victims report knowing their stalker. Stalkers commonly target young people, with 54 percent of female victims and 41 percent of male victims experiencing stalking before age 25. Even if the offender relents, many victims of stalking experience long-lasting mental and physical aftereffects, resulting in prolonged depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person to instill torment, fear, control, and uncertainty. Behaviors include unwanted contact, harassing family members or friends, leaving unwanted items, and lurking or appearing at places without invitation and/or a legitimate purpose. Increasingly, perpetrators are using social media platforms and technology to terrorize their victims. Cyber stalkers post private information, send illicit or suggestive messages, concoct rumors online about an individual or their family and friends which causes them to fear for their safety, reputation, and even their livelihood.

Stalking any individual, especially our young people will not be tolerated. That is why, last month, I signed the Combat Online Predators Act to impose tough penalties on predators for stalking minors, including increasing the maximum prison sentence from 10 to 15 years. As one Nation, we must do everything in our power to keep our children and loved ones safe from this predatory behavior and hold perpetrators accountable.

My Administration remains committed to ending the crime of stalking. To learn its signs visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and if you or someone you know is a victim of stalking, please call the National Center for Victims of Crime Hotline: 1-855-484-2846.

>>12268804

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-national-stalking-awareness-month-2021/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-national-mentoring-month-2021/

>>12268817

STATEMENTS & RELEASES

Presidential Message on National Mentoring Month, 2021

EDUCATION

Issued on: January 1, 2021

ALL NEWS

During National Mentorship Month, we recognize the selfless dedication and commitment of countless mentors across the country to the nurturing, leading, and uplifting of America’s youth. As they devote their time and energy to helping guide the next generation of leaders, they enrich the lives of others, strengthen our Nation, and build a better future for all Americans.

Whether sharing their own experiences or supporting their mentees toward their goals, mentors have an indelible impact on the future of our children and young adults. From faith leaders and coaches to educators and business professionals, mentors come from different walks of life yet share an unwavering devotion to bettering the lives of others. These patriots instill American values in youth across our country—compassion, generosity, individual responsibility, and duty. As young Americans pursue their dreams, they forever carry the timeless values they learned with the confidence that they are supported.

Throughout this month, I encourage all Americans to seek ways in which they can mentor America’s youth. Together, we can empower and inspire young people to follow their hearts, go after their goals, and pursue their own American Dream.

https://qagg.news/?q=%23%232216%2C2261%2C2126%2C2162%2C2612%2C2621%2C1226%2C1262%2C1622%2C6212%2C6221%2C6122

STATEMENTS & RELEASES

President Donald J. Trump Approves Mississippi Disaster Declaration

LAND & AGRICULTURE

Issued on: December 31, 2020

ALL NEWS

Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Mississippi and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Zeta from October 28 to October 29, 2020.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, and Stone.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also available to State, tribal, and eligible governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Zeta in the counties of George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Perry, Stone, and Wayne.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Pete Gaynor, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Brett H. Howard as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

> https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-approves-mississippi-disaster-declaration-123120/

>>12268860

Trust Wicker

Removing the Cuban Military’s Grip from Cuba’s Banking Sector

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

JANUARY 1, 2021

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Today, the Department of State is announcing the addition of Banco Financiero International S.A. (BFI) to the Cuba Restricted List, effective upon publication in early January. BFI is a Cuban military-controlled commercial bank that benefits directly from financial transactions at the expense of the Cuban people. The Cuban military uses BFI’s key role in foreign exchange to give military and state companies preferential access, secure advantageous exchange rates, and finance government-controlled projects that enrich the regime. The profits earned from these operations disproportionately benefit the Cuban military rather than independent Cuban entrepreneurs, furthering repression of the Cuban people and funding Cuba’s interference in Venezuela.

President Trump has made it clear that he stands with the Cuban people in their longstanding struggle for freedom and against the communist regime in Havana. Adding BFI to the Cuba Restricted List furthers the Administration’s goal of preventing the Cuban military from controlling and benefiting from financial transactions that should instead benefit the Cuban people.

>>12268983

>>12268987

>>12268983

https://www.state.gov/removing-the-cuban-militarys-grip-from-cubas-banking-sector/

https://www.state.gov/aryeh-lightstone-designated-as-u-s-special-envoy-for-economic-normalization/

>>12269003

Aryeh Lightstone Designated as U.S. Special Envoy for Economic Normalization

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

DECEMBER 31, 2020

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I am pleased to announce that I have designated Aryeh Lightstone to serve as the U.S. Special Envoy for Economic Normalization. As special envoy, Aryeh Lightstone will represent U.S. interests in normalizing economic relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Kosovo, and Morocco. Designating Mr. Lightstone as Special Envoy will contribute to the speed and the efficiency of the normalization process and create momentum for the Abraham Accords. I am confident other countries will be encouraged to join and solidify the Accords against the outside factors that seek to undermine them.

U.S. Vote Against the United Nations 2021 Program Budget

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

DECEMBER 31, 2020

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Today, the United States called for a vote in the UN General Assembly to register strong objections to certain elements of the UN’s annual Program Budget. In particular, it is outrageous that the UN will fund in 2021 an event to promote the objectives of the Durban Declaration – a document saturated with anti-Semitism, anti-Israel bias, and hostility toward freedom of expression. Over the last 20 years, the United States has consistently opposed the corrosive Durban process. We call on all UN member states to seek new means to address constructively and inclusively the challenge of racism and racial discrimination. The United Nations should never serve as a platform for those determined to divide and diminish, but sadly that is all too often the case. For our part, we will continue to hold the United Nations to a higher standard.

>>12269019

https://www.state.gov/u-s-vote-against-the-united-nations-2021-program-budget/

Haiti’s Independence Day

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

DECEMBER 31, 2020

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On behalf of the Government of the United States and the American people, I send greetings to the people of Haiti as you celebrate the 217th anniversary of Haiti’s independence.

Haiti’s long history as a nation demonstrates the resolve of the Haitian people in overcoming adversity in the hope of a brighter future. On Haiti’s Independence Day, we recognize the indomitable spirit that is the strength of the Haitian people, and we stand with them in the face of political, security, and economic challenges.

The United States has continued to invest in the future of Haiti’s citizens through humanitarian, education, and health partnerships, rooted in our shared democratic values. I hope that in 2021, all sectors of Haitian society will work together to strengthen democratic institutions, protect human rights, fight corruption, and promote economic growth to achieve a stable, prosperous, and self-reliant Haiti.

I extend best wishes for health, peace, and prosperity to the people of Haiti. Happy Independence Day and Happy New Year.

>>12269039

https://www.state.gov/haitis-independence-day/

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Minnesota Man Sentenced for Attempted Possession of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rushford Village, Minnesota, man convicted of Attempted Possession of Child Pornography was sentenced on December 18, 2020, by Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court Judge.

Josef Pettit, age 24, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Pettit will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The conviction stemmed from an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2019 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Pettit was arrested and federally indicted following multiple text messages he exchanged with a person Pettit believed to be a 15-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent. Pettit requested sexually explicit images from the 15-year-old undercover persona and proceeded to negotiate the time and place he would meet the minor. When Pettit went to the pre-determined location, he was met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest.

The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Pettit was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

>>12269065

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/minnesota-man-sentenced-attempted-possession-child-pornography

District of South Dakota

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Rapid City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography was sentenced on December 10, 2020, by Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Michael Hanson, age 63, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, $3,000 in restitution, and a $5,000 special assessment to the Victims of Trafficking Fund. Hanson will also be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The conviction stems from Hanson receiving computer images of child pornography, as well as obscene matter, at Rapid City between September 2010 and June 2019.

The investigation was conducted by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case.

Hanson was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

>>12269072

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/rapid-city-man-sentenced-federal-prison-receipt-child-pornography

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Kalona Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Child Pornography Charges

DAVENPORT, Iowa—On December 29, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Jackson Yaro Young, age 22, of Kalona, to 300 months in prison for Production, Receipt, Possession, and Transfer of Child Pornography announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Following his prison term, Young was ordered to serve ten years of supervised release and pay $600.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The investigation of Young began in March 2019 when the Washington County, Iowa Probation Office received information that Young had been seen interacting with a minor in public. At the time, Young was on probation for a sexual abuse conviction originating in Linn County. Following further investigation, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office seized two phones from Young. Forensic review of the phones revealed images and videos of child pornography, as well as sexually explicit communication between Young and multiple minors. In communications retrieved from his phone, Young knowingly coerced his victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Young acted with the purpose of creating pornographic content and visual depictions of such content, as well as storing the material. Photos and images, produced and collected by Young, were transported electronically through interstate commerce through cellphone usage, and Young knew his victims were under 18 years of age.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Washington County Sherriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nation-wide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

>>12269078

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/kalona-man-sentenced-25-years-prison-child-pornography-charges

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Muscatine Man Sentenced to Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On December 29, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Emilio Daniel Dillon, age 23, of Muscatine, to 70 months in prison for Receipt of Child Pornography announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Dillon is required to pay $5,000 in victim restitution and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. Following his prison term, Dillon will serve five years of supervised release.

The investigation of Dillon began in October of 2019 when Dillon sold a Samsung tablet to a pawn shop in Muscatine. A manager from the pawn shop brought the device to the Muscatine Police Department (MPD) reporting that child pornography was found on the tablet when it was being prepared for resale. Further investigation revealed several photos and eleven videos of child pornography with victims as young as five years old. In an interview with law enforcement on November 20, 2019, Dillon admitted to downloading the child pornography onto the tablet.

This matter was investigated by the Muscatine Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

>>12269089

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/muscatine-man-sentenced-prison-receipt-child-pornography

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Iowa City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

DAVENPORT, Iowa—On December 22, 2020, United States Chief District Court Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced Michael Alan White, age 49, of Iowa City, to 144 months of imprisonment for Receipt of Child Pornography announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Following his prison term, White was ordered to serve five years of supervised release, pay $10,000.00 in restitution to the two victims, and pay $100.00 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

On March 13, 2020, White pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography. The investigation began in 2018 when law enforcement intelligence retrieved information from an Internet Protocol (IP) address that certain child pornography images were being downloaded. A returned subpoena from the internet provider listed Michael White as the registered user of the internet service from which the IP address originated. On March 7, 2019, a search warrant was conducted on White’s residence. Forensic examination of four electronic devices obtained in the search warrant revealed multiple depictions of child pornography. White had approximately fifty images and/or videos of child pornography on his devices. Many of the victims depicted in White’s images have been identified through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

This matter was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

>>12269100

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/iowa-city-man-sentenced-federal-prison-receipt-child-pornography

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Davenport Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Pornography Offenses

DAVENPORT, Iowa — On December 23, 2020, United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey sentenced John James Ramirez, age 45, of Davenport, to 60 months in prison for Possession of Child Pornography and Possession of Obscene Visual Representation of the Sexual Abuse of Children announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. Following his prison term, Ramirez was ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay $200 to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The investigation began in 2019 when the Davenport Police Department received a report that Ramirez had depictions of child pornography on his home computer. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Ramirez’s Davenport residence and seized electronic and storage devices. A forensic examination revealed 107 images depicting child pornography of children, ranging in age from infants to teenagers, and 106 computer-generated images depicting child pornography of children. Ramirez knowingly received these visual depictions of child pornography through interstate commerce via the Internet.

This matter was investigated by the Davenport Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

>>12269111

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/davenport-man-sentenced-prison-child-pornography-offenses

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Helena man appears on allegations of sexually exploiting children and receiving child pornography

MISSOULA – A Helena man appeared in court today on allegations of sexually exploiting children and receiving child pornography in Missoula and Lewis and Clark counties, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif Johnson said.

A criminal complaint unsealed today alleges Joshua Dean Fish, 27, committed the crimes of sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of child pornography. If convicted of the most serious crime, Fish faces 15 years to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years to life of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided. Fish was detained pending further proceedings.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to the complaint and affidavit, an investigation began in January when the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious online activity regarding a minor teenage female victim. The investigation led to additional minor female victims. Victims reported that they were promised monetary payments in exchange for photographs of themselves in various stages of undress and nudity through SnapChat, a social media application. The victims reported that the suspect used PayPal to submit payments to the victims, used the fictitious name, Grant Holman, and liked to be called Mr. Fish or Mr. Fishy.

The investigation led to a search of Fish’s residence in Gilbert, AZ, on June 18. Law enforcement seized a cell phone, a laptop computer and numerous hard drives. After examining the electronics that were seized during the search of Fish’s residence, agents discovered hundreds of thousands of images and videos of child pornography, the complaint and affidavit allege. The complaint and affidavit further allege that Fish used, coerced and exploited the victims into producing sexually explicit images of themselves. Fish lived in Missoula and Helena until about June 2018, when he moved to Arizona.

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Gilbert (AZ) Police Department are investigating the case.

PACER case reference. 20-11.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.

>>12269123

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/helena-man-appears-allegations-sexually-exploiting-children-and-receiving-child

Northern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 24, 2020

Antioch Nurse Charged With Possession Of Child Pornography

OAKLAND –Shawn Jamison Prichard was charged in a criminal complaint with possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Tatum King.

According to the complaint filed December 22, 2020, and unsealed this morning, Prichard, 41, of Antioch, allegedly possessed at least one image of child pornography involving the use of a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Prichard is a licensed nurse in California. The criminal investigation in this case began with a tip from a social media company based on defendant’s use of a messaging service to send images of child pornography. Prichard is charged with possession of child pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252.

Prichard made his initial federal court appearance in federal court this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen. His next appearance is a detention hearing scheduled for December 29, 2020, at 10:30 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler.

A criminal complaint merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 10 years (20 years if the images depict pre-pubescent children), and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution, if appropriate. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan U. Lee is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Jessica Rodriguez Gonzalez and Kathleen Turner. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and HSI.

>>12269133

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/antioch-nurse-charged-possession-child-pornography

District of Nebraska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Four Omaha Men Indicted for Sex Trafficking Minors

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging Thomas Holbert (aka “T”), Lance Harper, Dalonte Foard, and Glenn Whitney (aka “G” or “G-Lo”) with conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor and individual counts of sex trafficking of minors. Holbert, Harper, Foard, and Whitney face up to life imprisonment if convicted.

The conspiracy involved recruiting and transporting minors and placing online advertisements for commercial sex acts with minors at various locations in and around Omaha and Norfolk, Nebraska. The conspiracy also involved the use of threats of violence and controlled substances to control the minors and young women being trafficked.

United States Attorney Kelly recognized the efforts and cooperation of Homeland Security Investigations, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, and Omaha Police Department in investigating this and other cases involving the sex trafficking of minors, stating “There is no higher priority than the prosecution of people who commit these evil acts. Human trafficking prosecutions require the excellent federal, state, and local cooperation that was involved in this case.”

An indictment is a formal accusation returned by a grand jury upon establishing probable cause. The indictment is not evidence of guilt and defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, and the Omaha Police Department.

>>12269146

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ne/pr/four-omaha-men-indicted-sex-trafficking-minors

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Batavia Man Found With Thousands Of Images And Videos Of Child Pornography

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Matthew Barber, 52, of Batavia, NY, with receipt and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in April 2007, the defendant was sentenced to serve 74 months in federal prison and five years supervised release after being convicted of possession of child pornography. On July 5, 2017, the defendant's term of supervised release was revoked after he was unsuccessfully discharged from a sex offender treatment program. Barber was re-sentenced to six months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant was also under the supervision of the New York State Division of Parole for a prior sex offense conviction.

On May 20, 2020, New York State Parole notified United States Probation that Barber was terminated from his employment after a company representative observed him insert flash drives into a workplace computer, which he was not authorized to access. As a condition of his parole, the defendant was to notify New York State Parole if he was terminated from his employment. That same day, United States Probation and New York State Parole searched Barber’s residence and seized a cellular phone and a flash drive. A search of the flash drive recovered over 1,100 images and over 40 videos of child pornography. Several hundred images and over 200 videos of child pornography were also found on the cellular telephone.

The defendant was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Sliwinski; and the Batavia Police Department, under the direction of Chief Shawn Heubusch.

>>12269162

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/federal-grand-jury-indicts-batavia-man-found-thousands-images-and-videos-child

District of Alaska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Eagle River Man Sentenced to 15 years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor- Production and Attempted Production of Child Pornography

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that on December 18, 2020, U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason sentenced Keon Aspaas, 33, of Eagle River, to 180 months in federal prison for of sexual exploitation of a child - production and attempted production of child pornography.

According to court documents, in early March of 2019, Aspaas entered an Eagle River residence where he knew that minors were having a sleepover. While in the residence, he took explicit photos of a sleeping 16-year-old victim with his cell phone. The victim awoke and Aspaas fled the residence. The victim’s family contacted law enforcement. Law enforcement officers located and arrested Aspaas the same day and he has remained in custody since the initial arrest. In February 2020, Aspaas pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child - production and attempted production of child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason noted in the imposition of the 180-month sentence, “Such a sentence would afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct and protect the public from further crimes of Mr. Aspaas.” In addition to the 180-month sentence, Aspaas was ordered to complete 10 years of supervised release, comply with registration requirements as a sex offender, perform 200 hours of community service and pay restitution.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In May 2006, DOJ launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

>>12269170

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/eagle-river-man-sentenced-15-years-federal-prison-sexual-exploitation-minor-production

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Manlius Man Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Chester Hammond, age 44, of Manlius, New York, was arrested yesterday and charged with distributing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett.

According to the criminal complaint, Hammond, a registered sex offender who was convicted in 1996 of attempted sexual abuse in the first degree distributed an image of child pornography over the internet. A subsequent search of Hammond’s cellular telephone revealed that he also possessed over 400 images of child pornography.

The charge against Hammond carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a post-release term of supervision of between five years and life, and a fine of up to $250,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Hammond made his initial appearance today before Magistrate Judge Andrew T. Baxter and was detained pending further proceedings.

The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Syracuse Mid-State Child Exploitation Task Force, comprised of FBI Special Agents and Investigators of the New York State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), with assistance from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown as a part of Project Safe Childhood.

Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

>>12269178

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/manlius-man-arrested-child-pornography-charges

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Former New York State Corrections Officer Going To Prison For Five Years On Child Pornography Conviction

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Joseph Chojnacki, 27, of Cheektowaga, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who handled the case, stated that after receiving a tip of suspected child pornography from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Homeland Security Investigations traced the suspected child pornography to the defendant, a New York State Corrections Officer.

On May 9, 2019, a federal search warrant was executed at Chojnacki’s Louis Street residence. Investigators seized various computers, electronic devices, and electronic media. A total of approximately 3,814 images and 138 videos of child pornography were discovered on the defendant's electronic devices. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors less than 12 years old, as well as sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

>>12269191

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/former-new-york-state-corrections-officer-going-prison-five-years-child-pornography

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Former Clarence Center Soccer Trainer Going To Prison Following Child Pornography Conviction

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Shelby Garigen, 42, of Clarence Center, NY, who was convicted of access with intent to view child pornography, was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles M. Kruly and Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that between November 2018 and February 2019, the defendant communicated with two minors (Victim 1 and Victim 2) using the Snapchat application. During Garigen’s communications with Victim 1, she received and viewed approximately three sexually explicit images of Victim 1. During the defendant’s communications with Victim 2, she received and viewed approximately 10 sexually explicit images of Victim 2. Garigen knew that both victims were minors.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Sliwinski. Additional assistance was provided by the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

>>12269200

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/former-clarence-center-soccer-trainer-going-prison-following-child-pornography

Western District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Matthews, N.C. Man Is Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Prison For Child Pornography

Defendant Reoffended While on Pretrial Release on Federal Child Pornography Charges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. sentenced today Brian Parks Moore, 51, of Matthews, N.C. to 188 months in prison for transportation of child pornography, announced Andrew Murray, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Judge Conrad also ordered Moore to serve 30 years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents and information introduced at the sentencing hearing, Moore was indicted in November 2018 on child pornography charges. According to court records, Moore told law enforcement that he had initially accessed child pornography for the purpose of incriminating another individual, but subsequently began viewing the child pornography himself. In total, Moore possessed approximately 1,769 images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. On December 27, 2018, Moore was released on bond following his arraignment hearing. As a condition of his pretrial release, the Court ordered Moore only to use electronic devices approved by the U.S. Probation Office.

According to court records, on March 13, 2019, a U.S. probation officer conducted an unannounced visit at Moore’s residence, during which the officer located an unauthorized tablet computer in Moore’s bedroom. A review of the web history of the tablet showed that Moore’s search history was consistent with attempting to access child pornography and child erotica while on pretrial supervision. As a result, Moore’s bond was revoked and Moore was taken into custody. On May 24, 2019, Moore pleaded guilty to transportation of child pornography.

In making today’s announcement U.S. Attorney Murray commended the U.S. Probation Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI for their investigative efforts.

Assistant United States Attorney Alfredo De La Rosa, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

>>12269211

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc/pr/matthews-nc-man-sentenced-more-15-years-prison-child-pornography

Central District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Springfield Man Indicted for Alleged Sexual Exploitation of Children

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – An initial trial date of Feb. 2, 2021, has been scheduled for a Springfield, Ill., man, Evan Taylor, 24, indicted on federal child pornography charges last week. Taylor, of the 2000 block of Claremont Dr., made his initial appearance on Dec. 21, via video conference in federal court in Springfield. Taylor was arrested on Dec. 18, and was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending a detention hearing scheduled on Dec. 28.

The indictment charges Taylor with sexual exploitation of a child for allegedly victimizing minors from August 2018 to May 2020. Taylor is also charged with distribution of pornographic images of children; travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity; enticement of a minor; receiving child pornography; and, using a computer and cell phone to attempt to transmit information about a minor.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty for each count of sexual exploitation of a child (five counts) is 15 to 30 years in prison; for distribution of child pornography (six counts) and receiving child pornography (one count), the penalty is five to 20 years in prison. Taylor is also charged with one count each of travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity, which carries a statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison; enticement of a minor - 10 years to life in prison; and use of a computer or cell phone to attempt to transmit information about a minor carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs is representing the government in the prosecution in coordination with the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Marengo, Ill., Police Department; the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office; Jasonville, Ind., Police Department; and, the Indiana State Police.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

>>12269221

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdil/pr/springfield-man-indicted-alleged-sexual-exploitation-children

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/federal-prosecutors-experience-increased-workloads-relating-child-pornography

>>12269228

Eastern District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Federal prosecutors experience increased workloads relating to child pornography

ST. LOUIS, MO—Federal prosecutors, within the Eastern District of Missouri, are working an increased amount of cases involving child pornography.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office have indicted 62 defendants who abused children in some way. Those defendants represent a 16% increase from last year.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including those at the field office in Cape Girardeau, handled cases ranging from production of child pornography to human trafficking.

“It is very rewarding to be able to help the most vulnerable victims by being able to prosecute those who prey upon them,” said Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

In 2019, technology firms flagged more than 45 million photos and videos as child sexual abuse, according to an investigation by The New York Times. That number more than doubled in one year. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a record 18 million tips to its hotline last year. By comparison, the tip line received a total of 565,000 calls during its first 10 years, between 1998 and 2008.

“Our office strives to protect children from sexual exploitation through federal prosecutions, but we need everyone to be vigilant in protecting our children. Please monitor your children’s internet usage so they don’t become victims of those who wish to exploit them,” added Jensen.

District Court Judges have sentenced 28 defendants, this year, to an average of 111 months which means those predators will be unable to harm children for nearly 10 years. The judges have also ordered more than $1,000,000 in restitution.

“Child predators are everywhere. They are men and women, young and old, coming from all races, classes and occupations. Technology has made accessing and grooming children easier than ever,” said Sarah Pingsterhaus, a Victim Witness Specialist for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Members of the Victim Witness Unit stress it is vital to discuss internet safety and encourage parents to monitor their child’s online activity.

“If you notice your child becoming secretive while online, turning off the computer screen when you enter the room, becoming obsessive about being online and angry when they are not allowed or disengaging from their normal circle of friends, it is time to start asking questions,” added Pingsterhaus.

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Plymouth Man Sentenced to 20 Years After Soliciting Sexual Photos From 14-Year-Old Ohio Girl Over the Internet

RALEIGH, N.C. – Toby Painter, 32, of Plymouth, North Carolina, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for enticement of a minor.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 22, 2018, a school guidance counselor in West Carollton, Ohio, discovered from another student that a 14-year-old girl had been communicating with and sending nude photos to an adult male. The guidance counselor informed the victim’s mother, who contacted the West Carollton Police Department.

On the victim’s phone, investigators found chat history with someone labeled as “daddy” that included nude photographs of the victim. After the victim provided the name “Toby,” law enforcement identified the defendant Toby Painter based on Facebook contacts and photos exchanged on the phone.

During an interview, the victim stated that Painter sent her a friend request through SnapChat in December of 2017. After that, they began communicating on an internet-based chat application. The victim told Painter she was 14, and he told her he was 29. After the conversation turned sexual, Painter asked her to send him nude photographs, and she took and sent him approximately 10 nude photos of herself. He responded by sending her sexually explicit photographs.

Law enforcement reviewed the victim’s chat history with Painter. On her phone’s media drive, they recovered roughly a dozen images of herself that constituted child pornography, as well as three sexually explicit images of Painter. Local investigators then referred the case to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who confirmed Painter’s identity based on Facebook account and IP address records. Complete chat records confirmed that Painter had requested and received from the victim multiple images that constituted child pornography.

This case is part of the Project Safe Childhood initiative, a national program aimed at ensuring that criminals exploiting children are effectively prosecuted by making full use of all available law enforcement resources at every level. For more information about this important national initiative, go to www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and West Carollton Police Department (Ohio) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:19-cr-0019-D.

>>12269239

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/plymouth-man-sentenced-20-years-after-soliciting-sexual-photos-14-year-old-ohio-girl

Southern District of Iowa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2020

Three Iowa Defendants Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Children

DES MOINES, Iowa – Three defendants who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking children were sentenced in December 2020 announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum. The cases were presided over by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose.

On December 7, 2020, Tommy Tate Collins of Cedar Rapids was sentenced to 210 months in prison following a guilty plea to one count of child sex trafficking. Collins admitted in his plea agreement that he trafficked a minor child, who was 15 and 16 years old at the time, by paying her for sex acts with money and drugs.

On December 18, 2020, Albert Kelly Price was sentenced to 348 months imprisonment. Price pleaded guilty to trafficking two minors and admitted to trafficking a total of three minors who were between 14 and 16 years old. Price paid all three minors for sex acts and used physical force on each minor. Price resided in Iowa City and North Liberty.

On December 21, 2020, Arrion Marcus West, Jr. of Iowa City was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment for trafficking two minors, who were 15 and 17 years old at the time of the offenses. West trafficked the minors by advertising them on escort websites, arranging prices and sex acts with customers, transporting them to engage in sex acts, and taking proceeds from the commercial sex acts. West also used physical violence towards one victim.

Co-defendants that were previously sentenced include Isaiah Patterson, sentenced to 144 months imprisonment in January 2020 for trafficking a 15 year old by posting advertisements of her for commercial sex acts, and Kendall Andrew Streb, who was sentenced in September 2020 to 268 months imprisonment for trafficking three minors and additional offenses.

“The defendants in these cases were buyers and sellers of children in our community,” stated Krickbaum. “They exploited vulnerable teenage girls for their own sexual gratification, and collectively they will serve many decades in federal prison. Federal law does not distinguish between ‘johns’ who will pay for sex with a minor, and pimps who offer minors for sex. Both groups are serious criminals, and we will treat them as such.”

Human trafficking is defined as a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

The case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department, with assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, and the Coralville Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

>>12269248

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/three-iowa-defendants-sentenced-sex-trafficking-children

District of Alaska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2020

Kotzebue Man Arrested for Sex Trafficking of a Minor

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced Wally Roy Carter, 61, of Kotzebue, Alaska, has been named in a federal complaint for sex trafficking of a minor. Carter was arrested on Thursday, Dec. 17, and was ordered detained.

The complaint alleges that Carter became the subject of a federal investigation last month, when the FBI received a tip alleging a minor had been sexually abused by Carter approximately 15 times over the course of three years, with the first instance occurring when the victim was just 10 years old. Carter allegedly gave the victim money after each instance of sexual abuse, and often gave her alcohol and marijuana before or after the sexual abuse. The complaint further alleges that the sexual abuse happened in Carter’s home, his vehicle and on one occasion, Carter took her by boat to a cabin, where the victim tried to escape from Carter at least five times.

If the public has any further information regarding Carter’s activities, please contact Anchorage FBI at (907) 276-4441.

If convicted, Carter faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Anchorage Police Department (APD) Task Force Officers investigated this case collectively as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers (AST) and Kotzebue Police Department (KPD). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Doty.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is focused on protecting the citizens of rural Alaska, especially young people.” said U.S. Attorney Schroder, “With the additional prosecutors provided by Attorney General Barr after his visit to Alaska in June 2019, we are charging more cases in the remote areas of the state, fulfilling his admonition that all citizens deserve public safety protection.”

“The FBI is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of Alaska’s youth, and today’s charges send a clear message that crimes against children, in both urban and rural Alaska, will never be tolerated,” said Robert Britt, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Our collective efforts to promote public safety in rural Alaska remain steadfast, and by using a multi-agency approach, the FBI will continue to investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable those who prey upon the children of our communities.”

The investigation is 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Under the Rural Alaska Anti-Violence Enforcement Network (RAAVEN), the U.S. Attorney’s Office is increasing engagement, coordination, and action on public safety in Alaska Native communities.

>>12269257

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/kotzebue-man-arrested-sex-trafficking-minor

District of Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2020

Former Law Enforcement Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge for Possession of Child Pornography

Greenbelt, Maryland – Anthony Michael Mileo, age 54, of Huntingtown, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to the federal charge of possession of child pornography. At the time of his indictment in January 2020, Mileo was a Corporal with the Maryland National Capital Park Police Department and was a K9 handler.

The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Special Agent in Charge John Eisert of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Calvert County State’s Attorney Robert Harvey.

According to his plea agreement, on August 7, 2019, the Maryland State Police (MSP) Computer Crimes Unit received a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the possession of child sexual abuse material. The cybertip indicated that video files documenting child sexual abuse were uploaded to a document storage application account. The document storage application provided the contents of the account to investigators. The content included over a dozen video files depicting child sexual abuse and provided the IP address associated with the transfer of videos depicting child sexual abuse to the account on July 1, 2019.

As detailed in the plea agreement, investigators learned that the e-mail address was associated with Mileo and the IP addresses were associated with an Internet Service Provider account located at Mileo’s address in Calvert County, Maryland. On September 5, 2019, MSP obtained a search warrant for the contents of the e-mail account which revealed approximately 71 video files depicting child sexual abuse, including prepubescent minors and images depicting children in bondage being sexually abused. The video files included a series of known victims of child abuse identified through NCMEC. The e-mail account also contained non-contraband material, including employment information associated with Mileo.

On November 7, 2019, members of the MSP and HSI executed a search warrant at Mileo’s residence and recovered three cellular telephones. Mileo admitted during the plea hearing today that the files he uploaded depicting the sexual abuse of children could be accessed from any device with an Internet connection, including the cellular telephones recovered by investigators. For example, Mileo uploaded the document storage application onto his personal iPhone, which allowed him to access the images of child sexual abuse he had previously uploaded to the application.

Mileo previously faced related charges in Calvert County, but those charges were dismissed in favor of federal prosecution.

Mileo and the government have agreed that, if the Court accepts the plea, Mileo will be sentenced to between 48 months and 78 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for February 17, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.

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 the United States Attorney’s 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. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended HSI Baltimore and the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for their work in the investigation and thanked the Office of the State’s Attorney for Calvert County for its assistance. Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy F. Hagan, who is prosecuting the federal case.

>>12269265

https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-law-enforcement-officer-pleads-guilty-federal-charge-possession-child-pornography

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2020

Utica Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Distributing Child Pornography

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Aaron Bohannon, age 53, of Utica, New York was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and a lifetime term of supervised release for his convictions for sexually exploiting a child and distributing child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Kevin Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Bohannon admitted that he sexually exploited his victim from at least 2018 through June of 2019, recorded the abuse, and distributed the sexually explicit material to others. Bohannon also admitted that he distributed other sexually explicit images and videos of minors. Upon release from prison, Bohannon will be required to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Utica Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Gadarian.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.

>>12269272

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/utica-man-sentenced-20-years-sexual-exploitation-child-and-distributing-child

District of Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 21, 2020

Palmyra Man Pleads Guilty to Accessing Child Pornography

BANGOR, Maine: A Palmyra man pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of accessing child pornography with intent to view, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.

According to court records, from an unknown date until about April 3, 2019, Isaac Bissell, 29, accessed with intent to view multiple images of children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In December 2018, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip that an internet user was uploading child pornography images to an internet search engine. These uploads were traced to Bissell’s home in Palmyra. During the execution of a search warrant at Bissell’s home, he admitted he had used the internet to search for and download child pornography images. A subsequent forensic review of his electronic devices revealed numerous such images.

Bissell faces a minimum of 10 years and maximum of 20 years in prison. He will also be subject to a fine of up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case.

>>12269279

https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/palmyra-man-pleads-guilty-accessing-child-pornography

Eastern District of Wisconsin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Former Wisconsin and New York City Schools Official Sentenced on Child Pornography Charge

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 18, 2020, David A. Hay (age: 40) most recently of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment for his receipt of child pornography.

According to court filings, in May of 2010, while living and employed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin, David A. Hay exchanged emails with a 15-year-old child. During the course of those communications, the defendant received sexually explicit digital images and videos from the child. Hay also provided sexually explicit images of himself to the 15-year-old.

Hay was principal at Tomah High School from 2011 through 2014. Prior to that, Hay was principal at Kettle Moraine High School from 2008 through 2011 before resigning following the school district’s discovery of irregularities with Hay’s licensing and the misuse of a district credit card. Most recently, Hay served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the New York City Chancellor of Schools.

Senior U.S. District Judge William C. Griesbach called Hay’s actions “abominable for a man in his position” and emphasized the gravity of his conduct which involved inappropriate personal interactions with underage children as opposed to the passive receipt of child pornography. In addition to the 60 months of imprisonment, Hay will spend 10 years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the City of Neenah Police Department with the assistance of the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

>>12269293

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi/pr/former-wisconsin-and-new-york-city-schools-official-sentenced-child-pornography-charge

Northern District of Illinois

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

South Beloit Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

ROCKFORD — A South Beloit man has been sentenced to 26 years in federal prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, on charges of producing child pornography.

ADRIAN C. PETERS, 27, pleaded guilty to the charges on Dec. 12, 2019. Peters admitted in a written plea agreement that from 2012 to 2014 he enticed seven minor victims, ranging in age from 14 to 17, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a recording on computers. Peters then transmitted some of the videos via the internet. The minor victims were from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Arizona.

U.S. District Judge Matthew F. Kennelly imposed the sentence Thursday in federal cout in Rockford.

The sentencing was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the South Beloit Police Department assisted in the investigation. The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Love.

>>12269306

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/pr/south-beloit-man-sentenced-26-years-prison-producing-child-pornography

District of Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Skowhegan Man Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation Crimes

BANGOR, Maine: A Skowhegan man pleaded guilty today in federal court to a 41-count indictment charging a series of child sexual exploitation offenses, U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank announced.

According to court records, between about January 2018 and October 2019, Christopher Raiche, 29, produced sexually explicit photographs of multiple children under the age of nine. He also possessed child pornography on his phone and in an online account. He used this online account to solicit and trade child pornography with others on the internet. Part of this activity included sending “links” to an online storage account containing part of his collection of child pornographic material.

Raiche faces up to 30 years in prison on each of four counts of sexual exploitation of children, and up to 20 years in prison on each of the remaining 37 counts alleging receipt, transportation, possession, solicitation and advertising of child pornography. He will also be subject to a fine of up to $250,000 for each count. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigation report by the U.S. Probation Office.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated this case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

>>12269316

https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/pr/skowhegan-man-pleads-guilty-child-exploitation-crimes

Eastern District of Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Covington Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced that BRANDON WARD, age 33, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, pleaded guilty as charged before United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to a one-count Indictment charging him with distribution of images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children, including children as young as less than one (1) year old, in violation of 18 U.S.C. ' 2252(a)(2).

According to court documents, in about October 2019, a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation operating in an undercover capacity, accessed a chat room within an instant messaging mobile application known to be a haven for purveyors of digital files depicting the sexual victimization of children. Between September 29, 2019, and October 13, 2019, an individual subsequently determined to be WARD posted over two dozen links to online file storage service accounts. Each link contained hundreds of videos depicting pre-pubescent children engaging in sexually explicit conduct with adults. In total, WARD uploaded to the accounts at least 47,000 files depicting the sexual victimization of children as young as one year old.

Additionally, a second FBI special agent acting in an undercover capacity participated in direct communication with WARD via Skype, phone, and text message. In the conversations, WARD claimed he had been in contact with an 8-year-old female (Minor 1) who had a crush on him. WARD sent non-sexually explicit pictures he took of Minor 1 to the undercover agent. WARD also instructed the undercover agent, who claimed to be babysitting a six-year-old female, to engage in sexually explicit conduct with the child while WARD watched via Skype.

WARD faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years and a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, followed by up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. He can also be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing before Judge Fallon has been scheduled for March 18, 2021, at 2:00 pm.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

U.S. Attorney Strasser praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg is in charge of the prosecution.

>>12269326

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/covington-man-pleads-guilty-distribution-child-sexual-abuse-material

Western District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Sex Trafficking Minors

CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Marcus Brown, 25, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to two counts of sex trafficking of minors. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Marangola and Meghan McGuire, who handled the case, stated that in 2015, the defendant ran a sex trafficking operation with co-defendant, Ray Davis. Brown and Davis preyed upon and exploited teenagers who were homeless and vulnerable, coercing them to engage in commercial sex acts. Davis and Brown worked together to take sexually explicit photos of the minor victims and post them on Backpage.com, an online classified advertisement website that was previously shut down by the Department of Justice.

Defendant Davis was convicted by a federal jury and sentenced to serve 25 years in prison. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on January 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

>>12269337

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/rochester-man-pleads-guilty-sex-trafficking-minors

Northern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

West Texas Child Predator Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison

A west Texas child predator was sentenced yesterday to life in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

Michael Don Billups, 56, pleaded guilty in January to interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He was sentenced yesterday afternoon before U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.

“Mr. Billups committed heinous acts of sexual abuse against the most vulnerable in our society,” said U.S Attorney Erin Nealy Cox. “While no prison term can undo the pain and suffering Mr. Billups has caused, today’s life sentence sends a strong message that child sexual exploitation will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The FBI is dedicated to protecting the communities we serve from child predators,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “We will continue working with our partners to pursue individuals who commit horrific acts of child exploitation.”

According to court documents, Billups befriended a family while living in New Mexico. Over a period of time, Billups earned the family’s trust and, on occasion, the family’s minor children were allowed to stay at Billups’ residence overnight.

During the summer of 2019, Billups requested to take two of the children on vacation to Florida and Alabama. While at Billups son’s residence in Alabama, Billups sexually assaulted one of the minors.

In October 2019, the family moved from New Mexico to Lubbock, Texas. Shortly thereafter, one of the minor children outcried to his mother stating that Billups had been sexually assaulting him for several years at locations in New Mexico, Texas, and in Alabama.

According to court documents, the parents questioned a second sibling who informed them that he had observed activities between Billups and his sibling that confirmed the outcry.

To avoid detection, Billups told the minors not to tell anyone because it would make him feel sad. He also purchased toys and games for boys.

The FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the Lubbock Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Long prosecuted this case.

>>12269343

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/west-texas-child-predator-sentenced-life-federal-prison

District of New Hampshire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Hudson Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

CONCORD - Robert Corleto, 43, of Hudson, pleaded guilty in federal court to sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Corleto used a social media account on KIK Messenger to entice and coerce a minor to take images of herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Corleto sent at least one of those images to an undercover officer over KIK Messenger on March 18, 2019. During the course of the investigation, officers obtained a warrant to search Corleto’s cell phone. A forensic extraction of the device revealed that Corleto had between 10 and 150 images depicting the victim, as well as other minor children.

Corleto is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2021.

“The internet can be a dangerous place for children, affording anonymity to criminals who would seek to exploit their innocence,” said U.S. Attorney Murray. “Those who manipulate children into creating pornographic images are committing a serious federal crime and will be prosecuted. Internet predators should be aware that law enforcement agencies are working around the clock to bring them to justice. It is imperative that we keep our children safe by targeting those who seek to exploit them online.”

“Robert Corleto manipulated a 12-year-old girl into providing him with sexually explicit images and videos by using fear that their so-called mutual online friend would harm herself if the victim refused. The crime for which he has admitted guilt today is incredibly disturbing,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “This case is a prime example of how a child can be victimized in the safety of their own home. Parents, please talk to your children about the dangers of the internet, make it clear to them they are not to blame if they fall victim to a predator, and contact law enforcement immediately if you suspect something is wrong.”

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hudson Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski.

In February 2006, the Department of Justice introduced Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

>>12269349

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nh/pr/hudson-man-pleads-guilty-sexual-exploitation-minor

Northern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Ohio man admits to soliciting minor for child pornography

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – David Dorst, of Shade, Ohio, has admitted to a child pornography charge, U.S. Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Dorst, age 59, pled guilty to one count of “Solicitation of Child Pornography.” Dorst admitted to asking a minor in Harrison County to send material of the minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The crime occurred in February 2020.

Dorst faces at least five years and up to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The Bridgeport Police Department investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

>>12269361

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/ohio-man-admits-soliciting-minor-child-pornography

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/134

Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act

This bill requires certain issuers of securities to establish that they are not owned or controlled by a foreign government. Specifically, an issuer must make this certification if the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is unable to audit specified reports because the issuer has retained a foreign public accounting firm not subject to inspection by the board. Furthermore, if the board is unable to inspect the issuer's public accounting firm for three consecutive years, the issuer's securities are banned from trade on a national exchange or through other methods.

Foreign issuers of securities that use such a firm to prepare an audit report must disclose for each non-inspection year

the percentage of shares owned by governmental entities where the issuer is incorporated,

whether these governmental entities have a controlling financial interest,

information related to any board members who are officials of the Chinese Communist Party, and

whether the articles of incorporation of the issuer contain any charter of the Chinese Communist Party.

>>12269490

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/945

Eastern District of North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

Four Oaks Man Convicted of Human Trafficking a Minor and Production of Child Pornography

RALEIGH - United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that yesterday, Marvarlus Cortel Snead, 34, of Four Oaks, North Carolina, was convicted in federal court following a four-day trial before United States District Judge James C. Dever. The jury found Snead guilty on all three counts: sex trafficking of a minor, production of child pornography, and one count of using facilities in interstate commerce to operate a prostitution enterprise.

In December 2017 and January 2018, Snead prostituted an adult female and a minor victim in various locations throughout the Eastern District of North Carolina. Snead targeted extremely vulnerable victims and enticed them with promises of money and romance. After they joined him, Snead manipulated them and took their money for himself. Snead engaged in a sexual relationship with both women and used the minor to create images and a video of child pornography.

Snead faces a sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine up to $750,000, and up to life supervised release at sentencing.

Mr. Higdon commented: “This case is about the victims, who suffered at the hands of a greedy trafficker. Our community will not tolerate perpetrators like this defendant targeting our most vunerable children and citizens for their profit.”

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Bryan Stephany and Erin Blondel handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:19-cr-00151-D.

>>12269504

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/four-oaks-man-convicted-human-trafficking-minor-and-production-child-pornography

Southern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Adult Film Performer Pleads Guilty in GirlsDoPorn Sex Trafficking Conspiracy

Assistant U. S. Attorneys Joseph Green (619) 546-6955 and Alexandra F. Foster (619) 546-6735

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – December 17, 2020

SAN DIEGO – Adult film performer and producer Ruben Andre Garcia pleaded guilty in federal court today to sex trafficking charges, admitting that he conspired with the owners of the adult websites GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys to fraudulently coerce young women to appear in sex videos.

Garcia pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jill L. Burkhardt to Conspiracy to Commit Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion, and Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud and Coercion. Garcia, the first of six defendants to plead guilty, admitted that he worked from 2013 to 2019 as a recruiter and adult film performer for GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys adult websites, which were run by co-defendants Michael James Pratt and Matthew Isaac Wolfe. Both sites offered paid subscriptions and featured videos of young adult women appearing in their first pornographic video. The websites generated millions of dollars in revenue and the videos were viewed millions of times.

Garcia admitted in his plea agreement that in order to recruit victims to appear in the videos, he and his co-conspirators threatened, deceived and lied to them, promising that the videos would never be posted online, that “no one” would ever find out, and that the videos would never be released in the United States. In actuality, the co-conspirators were posting the videos on GirlsDoPorn, GirlsDoToys, and PornHub, one of the world’s most heavily-trafficked porn sites. Many of the victim videos were viewed millions of times.

Garcia also admitted that he recruited and paid other young women to act as “references” to falsely reassure reluctant victims that the videos would not be posted online and that there was “no way” anyone would find out. Garcia used young women as recruiters, because victims “were more likely to believe other young women.” The references were paid a fixed fee for every victim they attempted to recruit and additional compensation for victims who agreed to film a video.

Victims were recruited from throughout the United States and Canada. Once they arrived in San Diego, they were taken to local hotels or short term rental units where the videos were produced. The defendant and other co-conspirators continued to falsely assure the victims that the videos would not be posted online and that no one would find out. Garcia and other co-conspirators used aliases and companies with misleading names to ensure that the victims could not discover that they were behind GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys.

Before the video shoots, Garcia offered victims marijuana or alcohol and some drank or smoked with Garcia before filming. When some victims changed their minds about going forward or finishing the video shoots, Garcia and other co-conspirators threatened to sue them, cancel their flights home, or post the footage that was already filmed online, which, unbeknownst to the victims, was going to happen anyway.

Garcia admitted that victims were also misled about how long the video shoots lasted. Most were told that the video production would take around 30 minutes, when they typically lasted for several hours. Garcia admitted that the sex was rough and caused many victims pain, and, in some cases bleeding. When victims asked to stop filming, Garcia and other co-conspirators told the victims that they had to keep going and finish the videos. Hotel room doors were often blocked by camera and recording equipment.

The GirlsDoPorn and GirlsDoToys websites generated millions of dollars in revenue from this scheme. For his part, Garcia was paid a commission for each victim that he recruited on top of an hourly wage for his time. Garcia will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined by the court at sentencing.

“This defendant was a key player in a despicable fraud that has devastated the victims,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “We will continue to fight for justice for them, and to prevent others from becoming victims of these schemes.” Brewer commended the excellent work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Green and Alexandra F. Foster, as well as FBI agents and members of the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, on a case that resulted in tremendous pain for the victims.

Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on March 5, 2021 at 9 a.m. The next hearing in the ongoing case is January 22, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

>>12269542

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/adult-film-performer-pleads-guilty-girlsdoporn-sex-trafficking-conspiracy

Eastern District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Sacramento Man Sentenced to over 17 Years in Prison for Producing Child Pornography

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Nicholas Vuksinich, 35, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 17 years and seven months in prison for producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

In sentencing Vuksinich, Judge Nunley said, “There are no victims in the criminal justice system more vulnerable than children.” Judge Nunley also ordered Vuksinich to pay at least $33,000 in restitution with additional amounts to be determined at a hearing scheduled for Feb. 11, 2021.

“This defendant’s conduct was long-lasting, extensive, and directed at real children whom he manipulated on the internet,” U.S. Attorney Scott said. “His actions will have severe effects on his victims that may last for the rest of their lives. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and our office’s commitment to protect children from further crimes of this nature.”

According to court documents, between July 6, 2016, and November 2016, Vuksinich communicated with a victim who lived in the Midwest region using video, audio, and Skype chat. When the communication began, Vuksinich knew that the victim was 14 years old. Through a series of online interactions on different days, Vuksinich directed her to engage in numerous demeaning, lewd, lascivious, and sexual activities, and he saved the images to his computer.

On May 30, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Vuksinich’s residence in Sacramento. A search of his computer revealed approximately 500 images of the victim. His computer also contained more than 900 additional child pornography videos and photos, including downloads on the day of the search. Skype chats on Vuksinich’s computer also indicated he directed numerous other minor children to perform sex acts.

This case was investigated by the Sacramento Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a federally and state-funded task force managed by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department with agents from federal, state, and local agencies. The Sacramento ICAC investigates online child exploitation crimes, including child pornography, enticement, and sex trafficking. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher S. Hales and Rosanne L. Rust prosecuted the case.

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 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

>>12269587

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edca/pr/sacramento-man-sentenced-over-17-years-prison-producing-child-pornography

Western District of Tennessee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Two Federally Charged in Kidnapping of Child Abandoned at Southaven Goodwill

Memphis, TN - Jeremy Fitzgerald, 34, and Turliscea Turner, 29, both of Memphis, Tennessee, have been federally charged in a criminal complaint with kidnapping a two-year-old boy whom they later abandoned at a Goodwill Store in Southaven, Mississippi. D. Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney announced the kidnapping charge in the federal complaint today.

According to information presented in the complaint, Fitzgerald offered to have Turner, posing as Fitzgerald's sister, babysit the child while Fitzgerald and the child's mother went to Nashville, Tennessee overnight on December 13, 2020. Turner agreed to watch and keep the child with her overnight. While Fitzgerald and the child's mother were in Nashville, Fitzgerald demanded that the child's mother work for him as a prostitute. When she refused, Fitzgerald left her in Nashville. He did not answer her repeated telephone calls.

Fitzgerald did, however, speak to the child's aunt. In that conversation, Fitzgerald demanded money for the return of the child. Turner was aware that Fitzgerald had demanded money in exchange for the child's return.

The next morning, Fitzgerald, Turner, and an unknown subject drove and transported the child across a state boundary from Memphis to Southaven, Mississippi. When they stopped at a gas station, Fitzgerald took the child out of the car to a nearby Goodwill store and abandoned him there. Turner went into the gas station; she knew that the child had been left at the Goodwill store.

Southaven Task Force Officers recovered surveillance video that showed the maroon vehicle that Fitzgerald and Turner had driven to Southaven with the child. The suspect vehicle was observed on Germantown Parkway in Shelby County on the afternoon of December 14, 2020. When law enforcement responded to the area, Fitzgerald crashed the vehicle, and was later transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Deputies found Turner inside a nearby Kroger, wearing the same clothing as in the surveillance video. Both subjects were taken into custody without further incident.

If convicted of kidnapping in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1201, the defendants each face a possible sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison, 5 years to life of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case will be presented to a federal grand jury at a later date to consider an indictment against the defendants, where additional federal charges may be added.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and convicted through due process of law.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Southaven Police Department are continuing to investigate this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Delery is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

>>12269595

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/two-federally-charged-kidnapping-child-abandoned-southaven-goodwill

Middle District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

United States Attorney David J. Freed Announces Resignation

HARRISBURG – United States Attorney David J. Freed, of Camp Hill, PA, has announced his resignation effective midnight January 1, 2021. Mr. Freed is departing the office after serving for more than three years as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, which consists of 33 counties in Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania and has offices in Harrisburg, Scranton, and Williamsport. Mr. Freed was nominated as United States Attorney by Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey, appointed by President Donald Trump in September, 2017, confirmed by the United States Senate in November, 2017, and sworn in as United States Attorney on November 27th, 2017.

>>12269618

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/united-states-attorney-david-j-freed-announces-resignation

Eastern District of Arkansas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 24, 2020

United States Attorney Cody Hiland Announces Resignation

LITTLE ROCK— United States Attorney Cody Hiland, 48, of Conway, has announced his resignation as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, effective 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2020. After his resignation, he plans to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

>>12269626

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edar/pr/united-states-attorney-cody-hiland-announces-resignation

District of New Mexico

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson announces resignation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – United States Attorney John C. Anderson, 45, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has announced his resignation effective 11:59 pm on Jan. 2, 2021. After his resignation, he plans to join a private law firm in the Santa Fe area.

>>12269633

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/us-attorney-john-c-anderson-announces-resignation

Northern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, December 18, 2020

United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II Announces Departure from Office

Confirmed by U.S. Senate to Serve as Federal Judge

HAMMOND, INDIANA– United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II announced today that he has resigned from the Department of Justice, effective December 18, 2020, at which time he assumed the duties of a United States Circuit Judge for the Seventh Circuit.

>>12269642

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndin/pr/united-states-attorney-thomas-l-kirsch-ii-announces-departure-office

Eastern District of Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 17, 2020

United States Attorney Jeff Jensen Resigns

ST. LOUIS, MO – United States Attorney Jeff Jensen, 54, of St. Louis, Missouri, has announced his resignation effective midnight December 30, 2020. After his resignation, he plans on joining a private law firm in the St. Louis area.

>>12269648

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/united-states-attorney-jeff-jensen-resigns

Northern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 17, 2020

U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox to Depart Justice Department

United States Attorney Erin Nealy Cox will resign from the Department of Justice, the office announced today.

>>12269653

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/us-attorney-erin-nealy-cox-depart-justice-department

Northern District of Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman announces resignation

Resignation to be effective January 8, 2021

Justin E. Herdman, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that he has submitted his resignation to President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr.

Herdman was sworn-in as United States Attorney on August 21, 2017 and will step-down on January 8, 2021. By operation of federal law, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bridget Brennan will be sworn-in as Acting U.S. Attorney upon the effective date of Herdman’s resignation.

>>12269663

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndoh/pr/us-attorney-justin-herdman-announces-resignation

District of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 14, 2020

United States Attorney Craig Carpenito Announces his Resignation, Effective January 5, 2021

NEWARK, N.J. – The United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Craig Carpenito, announced his resignation today, effective at 11:59 p.m., Jan. 5, 2021.

>>12269673

https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/united-states-attorney-craig-carpenito-announces-his-resignation-effective-january-5-2021

Middle District of Georgia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Charlie Peeler Announces Resignation As U.S. Attorney For The Middle District

During U.S. Attorney Peeler’s tenure, the Office grew to its highest number of AUSAs and prosecuted more criminal defendants in the District’s history

MACON, Ga. – Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, is resigning as U.S. Attorney effective 11:59 p.m., December 11, 2020. Following his resignation, he plans on reentering private practice with a law firm in Atlanta, Georgia.

>>12269682

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/charlie-peeler-announces-resignation-us-attorney-middle-district

District of Montana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, November 23, 2020

U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announces resignation

BILLINGS — United States Attorney Kurt Alme today announced his resignation as the U. S. Attorney for the District of Montana effective Dec. 2, 2020.

>>12269730

https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/us-attorney-kurt-alme-announces-resignation

Southern District of Indiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

United States Attorney Josh Minkler announces his resignation as United States Attorney

U.S. Attorney Minkler leaving after serving for over 26 years as a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Indiana

Indianapolis – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler has announced his resignation as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana effective, November 21st, 2020. Starting November 23rd, 2020, Josh plans on joining a private law firm in the Indianapolis area.

>>12269737

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/united-states-attorney-josh-minkler-announces-his-resignation-united-states-attorney

Western District of Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Elementary School Educator Gets 60 Years For Child Exploitation

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - James Verne Russell, 50, a former Michigan teacher and principal, was sentenced to serve 720 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons for sexual exploitation of two minors. U.S. District Judge Janet T. Neff also imposed lifetime-supervised release should it be necessary. Russell was also sentenced on October 8, 2020 by Muskegon County Circuit Court Judge Annette R. Smedley to 20 to 95 years in the related sexual assault case.

In sentencing Russell to serve 60 years in prison, Judge Neff stated the offense “is about as serious as it gets” because of the extended length of time and “circumstances in which you took advantage of children.” Judge Neff commented that in her thirty-two years as a judge “you think you’ve seen it all” and then “something like this happens.” “You come face-to-face with a human being whose behavior you just can’t understand.” “How you can take a little boy from an awful situation” and “take what little he has away from him.” “There are very few cases that will stick out to me after all these years, but yours will. I promise you.”

Russell was in education for twenty-two years. He was an elementary school teacher for sixteen years and an elementary school principal for six years in the Ravenna and North Muskegon School Districts. In June 2018, a teacher filed a complaint about Russell’s unusual interest in two students. Russell was suspended by the school district and later resigned. He then moved to Las Vegas and joined the Clark County School District as a fourth grade teacher. Russell came to the attention of law enforcement, in March 2019, when the FBI Las Vegas Child Exploitation Task Force received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding a recent upload of dozens of images, some depicting child pornography. When confronted by investigators from the FBI Las Vegas and Henderson Police Department, Russell confessed to possessing the pictures. Norton Shores Police and FBI Grand Rapids located and interviewed the victim in Michigan. The victim, identified as Victim 1 in the charges, confirmed that he was the child depicted and that Russell had sexually molested him for years. A search of Russell’s cell phone and computers disclosed numerous other images of child pornography, many of which Russell had produced himself. Further investigation disclosed another boy, identified as Victim 2, who was victimized in 2017, and a third individual who had been sexually abused by Russell beginning in 1996.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office brought federal charges against Russell for the production, transportation, and possession of child pornography. The Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office charged Russell for the sexual assaults of Victim 1. As part of a joint resolution, Russell pleaded guilty to a sexual assault charge in Muskegon County, and pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography in federal court.

Russell started his career in education in 1996. That same year, he began grooming and sexually assaulting his first victim. Russell volunteered to work with children in many capacities, including as a long-term guardian, babysitter, elementary and middle school basketball coach, lifeguard, camp counselor, and youth ministries assistant at various churches. In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said, “Russell’s conduct is not one of opportunity or an isolated aberration. His was a deliberate and dedicated career of manipulation and sexual abuse.”

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge stated, “Russell’s conduct is an abomination. He worked and volunteered his way into the lives of our children, not as a service to our community, but as a means to identify, target, and sexually exploit vulnerable children. Those who are in a position of trust and sexually abuse children will be held accountable. There is no parole in the federal system. Russell will spend the rest of his life in prison and will never have the chance to molest another child.”

>>12269745

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmi/pr/2020_1020_russell

Western District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, October 5, 2020

United States Attorney John F. Bash Announces Resignation

SAN ANTONIO, Tex. – U.S. Attorney John F. Bash announced today that he will resign from the Department of Justice on Friday, October 9, 2020, at 11:59pm.

>>12269756

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/united-states-attorney-john-f-bash-announces-resignation

Western District of Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 10, 2020

U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen Announces Departure

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA. – U.S. Attorney Thomas T. Cullen announced today that he is resigning from the Department of Justice, effective Tuesday, September 15, at 12:00 p.m. Cullen, 43, who has served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia since March 30, 2018, made this announcement following his Senate confirmation to become a U.S. District Judge in the Western District of Virginia.

>>12269772

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/us-attorney-thomas-t-cullen-announces-departure

Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, September 3, 2020

U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith Steps Down

Resigns After 31 Years With DOJ

ALBANY, NEW YORK – United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith announced his resignation upon his appointment as a Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after serving 31 years with the Department of Justice.

>>12269785

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/us-attorney-grant-c-jaquith-steps-down-1

Western District of Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 3, 2020

United States Attorney David C. Joseph Announces Departure from Office

Confirmed by U.S. Senate to Serve as Federal Judge

SHREVEPORT, LAFAYETTE, MONROE, ALEXANDRIA, LAKE CHARLES, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today that he has resigned from the Department of Justice, effective August 3, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. CDT, at which time he assumed the duties of United States District Court Judge. Joseph was appointed by President Trump to the position of United States Attorney in March of 2018.

>>12269809

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla/pr/united-states-attorney-david-c-joseph-announces-departure-office

Northern District of Alabama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 10, 2020

U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town Announces Departure from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town announced today that he will resign from the Department of Justice, effective Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at midnight.

>>12269818

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/us-attorney-jay-e-town-announces-departure-us-attorney-s-office

Southern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, June 19, 2020

Statement Of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman On Announcement By Attorney General Barr

“U right”

>>12269840

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/statement-us-attorney-geoffrey-s-berman-announcement-attorney-general-barr

Eastern District of Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

U.S. Attorney Brown Announces Departure from Office

SHERMAN, TX - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas announced today the resignation of United States Attorney Joseph D. Brown, effective May 31, 2020.

>>12269852

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx/pr/us-attorney-brown-announces-departure-office

2018 will be glorious

Derek N. Benner is currently the Executive Associate Director (EAD) for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), an organization with more than 10,300 positions, which includes more than 7,100 special agents who are assigned to 30 Special Agent in Charge (SAC) offices in major cities, over 210 other field offices throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Benner served as the Deputy EAD for HSI. As the investigative component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), HSI’s investigative and enforcement initiatives and operations target cross-border criminal organizations that exploit America's legitimate trade, travel, financial and immigration systems for their illicit purposes.

Prior to this position, Mr. Benner served as the Assistant Director of Domestic Operations with oversight of HSI’s domestic field offices. Mr. Benner also served as SAC for HSI in San Diego. In this position, he oversaw one of HSI’s largest investigative offices in the nation, which includes a diverse cadre of federal agents, intelligence analysts, and professional administrative staff throughout San Diego and Imperial counties. He also oversaw a number of HSI-led multiagency tasks forces, which included state, local and federal law enforcement members working together to target cross-border criminal organizations that exploit the legitimate commercial trade, travel, and financial systems in the California/Mexico border region.

Prior to this assignment, Mr. Benner served in several key leadership positions at ICE Headquarters. As the Deputy Assistant Director of HSI’s Financial, Narcotics and Special Operations Division in Washington, D.C., he was responsible for the agency’s national financial fraud and narcotics smuggling programs. He also served as Chief of Staff to the Director of HSI and provided management oversight at the national level.

Mr. Benner began his law enforcement career with the U.S. Customs Service in 1991 as a co-op student. He worked at the San Ysidro Port of Entry as a Customs Inspector for two years before becoming a Marine Enforcement Officer and a Special Agent with the U.S. Customs Service’s Office of Investigations in San Diego. In 2002, Mr. Benner was promoted to the management ranks where he supervised agents assigned to the local maritime smuggling task force and managed the asset forfeiture, intelligence and administration programs as an Assistant SAC in San Diego.

Mr. Benner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from George Mason University.

>>12270257

https://www.ice.gov/hsi

Experience

Director, INTERPOL Washington, United States National Central Bureau

INTERPOL

Aug 2020 - Present6 mos

Washington, D.C.

Acting Administrator

Drug Enforcement Administration

Jul 2018 - May 20201 yr 11 mos

Arlington, Virginia

Deputy Counsel to the President and Deputy Assistant to the President

Executive Office of the President

Jan 2017 - Jun 20181 yr 6 mos

Washington D.C.

Chief Oversight Counsel

U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services

Jan 2013 - Jan 20174 yrs 1 mo

Washington D.C.

Responsible for developing and executing strategies for congressional oversight and investigations of the financial services industry and government regulators.

Partner

Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl

Apr 2009 - Jan 20133 yrs 10 mos

Dallas, Texas

Responsible for managing and directing all aspects of federal and state civil and criminal litigation including appeals.

Director, Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement

DHS

2006 - 20093 yrs 1 mo

Washington, D.C.

Nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the Senate to serve as the first Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement. Responsibilities included serving as the primary policy advisor to the Secretary on counternarcotics issues, developing interagency initiatives and policies to unify the counternarcotics activities of the Department of Homeland Security, and coordinating efforts to monitor and combat connections between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism.

…more

Associate Deputy Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

2003 - 20063 yrs 1 mo

Washington, D.C.

Responsible for advising and assisting the Deputy Attorney General in formulating and implementing Department of Justice policies and programs relating to explosives, firearms, capital punishment, violent crime, gangs, and civil liberties.

…more

companyName

U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on Homeland Security

1 yr 1 mo

Chief Counsel and Deputy Staff Director

2003 - 20031 mo

Responsible for organizing and directing all aspects of committee meetings and hearings, oversaw the creation and activities of subcommittees, trained committee staff on committee practices and procedures, and provided legal counsel on all matters before the committee.

…more

Policy Director

2002 - 20031 yr 1 mo

Washington, D.C.

Responsible for moderating discussions among Policy Committee members, think tanks, scholars and private sector experts on issues before Congress. Developed and coordinated legislative initiatives in the areas of tort reform, securities law, class action reform and continuity of government.

…more

Attorney

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP

1998 - 20013 yrs 1 mo

General commercial litigation.

Senior Investigative Counsel and Counsel to Christopher Cox, Vice Chairman

U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform and Oversight

1997 - 19981 yr 1 mo

Washington, D.C.

Extensive experience with Congressional oversight investigations and procedures including preparing for committee hearings and conducting and responding to various forms of discovery.

…more

Assistant United States Attorney

United States Attorney's Office

1990 - 19977 yrs 1 mo

Los Angeles, California

Worked with federal and local law enforcement agencies directing complex investigations of violent gangs and major narcotics trafficking organizations. Prosecuted major narcotics cases as a member of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Prepared and argued multiple appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

…more

Attorney

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

1988 - 19902 yrs 1 mo

Greater Los Angeles Area

General commercial litigation.

Attorney

Gray, Cary, Ames & Frye (now DLA Piper)

1987 - 19881 yr 1 mo

Greater San Diego Area

General commercial litigation.

>>12270310

https://www.linkedin.com/in/uttamdhillon

STATEMENTS & RELEASES

Presidential Veto Message to the United States Senate for S. 906

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Issued on: January 1, 2021

ALL NEWS

TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:

I am returning, without my approval, S. 906, the Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act. America’s fishermen have made great sacrifices to ensure that our Nation’s marine fisheries are a sustainable economic engine for coastal communities. Under my Administration, the number of United States fish stocks subject to overfishing is at a historic low. This achievement is the result of a transparent and collaborative regulatory process that is supported by regional fishery management councils. At council meetings, fishermen work with Federal Government and State government representatives to meet their statutory obligations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

In passing S. 906, the Congress has ignored the fact that the regional fishery management process has had strong, bipartisan support since its creation. By forcing the West Coast drift gillnet fishery to use alternative gear that has not been proven to be an economically viable substitute for gillnets, the Congress is effectively terminating the fishery. As a result, an estimated 30 fishing vessels, all of which are operated by family-owned small businesses, will no longer be able to bring their bounty to shore. At a time when our Nation has a seafood trade deficit of nearly $17 billion, S. 906 will exacerbate this imbalance.

Further, S. 906 will not achieve its purported conservation benefits. The West Coast drift gillnet fishery is subject to robust legal and regulatory requirements for environmental protection that equal or exceed the environmental protections that apply to foreign fisheries. Without this fishery, Americans will import more swordfish and other species from foreign sources that frequently have more bycatch than our own fisheries. If the Congress wants to address bycatch, it should insist on a level playing field for imported seafood instead of crushing American fishing families.

My Administration has done more for American fishermen than any President before me. On May 7, 2020, I signed an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth to bolster our domestic seafood industry while curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing abroad. On June 5, 2020, I issued a Proclamation on Modifying the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to open it to commercial fishing that is conducted in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other applicable laws, regulations, and requirements. And as fishermen struggled to stay on the water during the pandemic, I issued a Memorandum on Protecting the United States Lobster Industry and later made approximately $530 million available, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Seafood Trade Relief Program, to support the United States seafood industry and fishermen affected by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments.

My Administration would support provisions of the enrolled bill, if passed separately, which would authorize fee collection in a different fishery — the Pacific Halibut fishery. This authority is needed to implement a provision of the International Pacific Halibut Commission Convention, to which the United States is a party. However, for the sake of American fishermen nationwide, I will not let the Congress circumvent the fisheries management process by effectively terminating a fishery without appropriate consultation and input from fishery management councils. If this occurred, it would increase our reliance on imported seafood and take away the livelihoods of hard-working Americans and their family businesses. It is my duty to return S. 906 to the Senate without my approval.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

January 1, 2021.

>>12271994

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-veto-message-united-states-senate-s-906/

STATEMENTS & RELEASES

Bill Announcement

LAND & AGRICULTURE

Issued on: January 1, 2021

ALL NEWS

On Friday, January 1, 2021, the President signed into law:

S. 3418, the “Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act” or the “STORM Act,” which authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide capitalization grants to States to establish revolving funds to provide hazard mitigation assistance to reduce risks from disasters and natural hazards.

>>12272003

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/bill-announcement-010121/