Month: April 2022

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Security News in Brief: Virginia Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Machine Gun Used in a Shootout

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man pleaded guilty last week to illegal possession of a machine gun.

According to court documents, Shy’Quan Dodson, 25, possessed a machine gun on July 18, 2021. That day, Norfolk Police (NPD) officers were in the vicinity of the 900 block of Tunstall Avenue in Norfolk, where they observed multiple individuals shooting at each other. The individuals fled in three separate vehicles, and during the ensuing pursuit a firearm was tossed from the rear of the vehicle. After a 15-minute pursuit that ended in a crash in Portsmouth, Dodson was detained while attempting to flee on foot from the vehicle. The firearm tossed from the vehicle was a Glock with an attached component that converted the handgun into a fully automatic machine gun. 

A search of Dodson’s cell phone showed photos of him holding the weapon, and a primer residue test revealed that Dodson had primer particles on his hands from the discharge of a firearm. Dodson’s phone also contained communications with another individual related to the buying and selling of machine gun conversion kits.

Dodson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 12. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney; and Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney accepted the plea.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham M. Stolle and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph DePadilla and William B. Jackson are prosecuting the case.

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

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:22-cr-1.

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Security News in Brief: Omaha Man Sentenced for Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct Offense

Source: United States Department of Justice News

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – Erasmus Luis Gonzales, age 38, of Omaha, was sentenced Wednesday March 30, 2022, to 46 months in federal prison for Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. His term of imprisonment will be followed by five years of supervised release. According to court documents, Gonzales pleaded guilty to the charge on October 22, 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation engaged in an undercover investigation and Gonzales communicated with an agent who purported to be a thirteen-year-old girl in the seventh grade. Gonzales arranged to meet with the underage girl in June 2021 after he agreed to bring alcohol in exchange for a sex act.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement and this case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Council Bluffs Police Department.

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Defense News in Brief: President, First Lady celebrate commissioning of USS Delaware (SSN 791)

Source: United States Navy

President Biden previously represented the state of Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate.

Due to COVID restrictions in place at the time, there was no traditional commissioning ceremony held when USS Delaware was commissioned administratively on April 4, 2020. On that day, the submarine was underway and became the first U.S. Navy ship commissioned while submerged.

Saturday’s ceremony followed the script of a traditional commissioning in every way and was held in commemoration of the milestone.

“This latest Navy ship to carry the Delaware name is part of a long tradition of serving our nation proudly and strengthening our nation’s security,” President Biden said. “Not just us, but our allies and partners around the world as well.”

As the ship sponsor, Dr. Jill Biden performed the traditional honor of calling for the crew to man the ship and “bring her to life,” a ceremonial procession following the commemorative setting of the first watch.

“This vessel will always uphold the First State’s motto of ‘Liberty and Independence,’” she said. “It’s difficult to put into words what it means to be a part of the USS Delaware family. It’s an incredible honor that I take seriously. I’ve seen the heart of this crew and it makes me proud and humbled to be your shipmate for life.”

USS Delaware is the 18th Virginia-class submarine built, as well as the eighth and final Block III Virginia-class sub. The Block III submarines are notable for replacing 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) with two larger, 87-inch diameter launch tubes, capable of carrying larger payloads, among other advancements.

“The men who serve — and will serve — aboard the USS Delaware will bear our state’s name for decades to come as they defend our nation,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, the event’s keynote speaker. “Through their sacrifice and service, may we grow even closer to that more perfect union.”

USS Delaware is homeported at Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, where it operates under Submarine Squadron 12 and its Commodore, Capt. Matthew Boland.

“The Sailors who power our undersea fleet are an elite breed,” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told those in attendance Saturday. “They’re skilled, they’re disciplined and they’re determined. They make enormous sacrifices, achieving amazing things over the horizon and under the waves.”

Delaware Gov. John Carney, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, were also among the distinguished guests in attendance.

The submarine is the seventh U.S. Navy ship to be named for the First State, but first in more than a century. The first ship to be named Delaware was a 24-gun frigate launched in July of 1776, the month the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The most recent previous ship to bear the name was a battleship commissioned in 1910 and in service in the Atlantic during World War I.

Cmdr. Matthew Horton, commanding officer of SSN 791, told Saturday’s attendees his submarine followed in the proud wake of the battleship Delaware, which also visited the Port of Wilmington 112 years ago to celebrate her commissioning.

“This week we had the pleasure of sailing through the beautiful Delaware Bay and River, past Fort Delaware, and continuing the tradition of Delaware warships calling on their namesake and presenting our fine warship to the First State,” he said.

“USS Delaware stands before you as the ideal ship,” Horton continued. “Limitless in range; unmatched in power, precision, and stealth. Her engineering renders her nearly undetectable; her sensors reveal the presence of any foes. Capable of dominating across the spectrum of warfare, she excels in all her assigned missions. From the depths of the ocean, ensuring sea control, to delivering precision strikes and supporting naval special warfare.”

Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

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Defense News in Brief: USS Louisiana Air Test Problem at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility

Source: United States Navy

Two injured personnel were transported to a local medical facility for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. In addition, five Sailors were evaluated by Navy medical personnel and did not require treatment.

The boat’s nuclear propulsion space was not affected.

State and local authorities have been notified. Further announcements will be made as more information becomes available.

The media point of contact for this matter is the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility Public Affairs Office, which can be reached at 360-476-7111 or 360-536-3114.

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Security News in Brief: Rapid City Man Found Guilty of Illegal Possession of a Firearm

Source: United States Department of Justice News

United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Rapid City, South Dakota, man was convicted of Illegal Possession of a Firearm following a two-day federal jury trial held in Rapid City.  The guilty verdict was returned on March 30, 2022.

Montgomery Lebeau, age 42, was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.  The conviction stems from Lebeau, a previously convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms, knowingly possessing a Hi-Point, model JCP, .40 Smith & Wesson caliber, semi-automatic pistol, which was found after Lebeau came into contact with law enforcement in October 2021 in Rapid City.

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

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Rapid City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. A sentencing date has not been set.