Month: May 2022

Posted on

Defense News: Truman Arrives In Naples

Source: United States Navy

This is the first visit by a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to Naples in six years and presents another opportunity to strengthen relationships with a NATO founding member and critical Ally. This is Truman’s second visit to Italy in 2022, the first being their port visit to Trieste April 23.

“The friendship we have enjoyed with Italy during this deployment has been second to none,” said Rear Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8. “The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group’s partnership with the Italian Navy has been integral to the success of this deployment, and for our Sailors to have the chance to experience and learn more about the country’s rich history and culture further builds upon our strong relationship.”

The already strong bonds of partnership is acutely felt in Naples, which hosts the headquarters of Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet (NAVEUR-NAVAF/SIXTHFLT) and Allied Joint Forces Command (JFC) Naples. This visit, to the U.S. Navy’s command and control headquarters in Europe reinforces the strategic importance of the U.S.-Italy relationship.

Sailors from Truman, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 will participate in a cleanup and maintenance project at the Capua Colosseum; the second largest colosseum of the Roman Empire and home to Spartacus in its day.

“We’re fortunate to have these opportunities to learn a little history and give back to the international community,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Hervey, the command religious ministry department principle assistant. “I am looking forward to visiting a site where Roman Gladiators were trained so our Sailors can learn their history and be inspired by their warrior ethos.”

Sailors will also be able to indulge in local foods, art, history and outdoor excursions, all while embracing warm hospitality of southern Italy.

“Fostering these relationships with our Italian partners is important not only for Truman, but for NATO as a whole. We thank them for hosting us and for all the Italian experiences offered to our Sailors,” said Capt. Gavin Duff, commanding officer of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). “For many of our Sailors this is their first opportunity to see renowned, historic landmarks like St. Peter’s Basilica, Pompeii, and the Colosseum. I know this port visit – both the experience and hospitality of the Italian people – will stay with them for years to come.”

Truman is the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG); additional elements include the nine squadrons of CVW 1, commanded by Capt. Patrick Hourigan; the staff and guided-missile destroyers of DESRON 28 commanded by Capt. Todd Zenner, which include: USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56), commanded by Capt. Christopher Marvin.

The HSTCSG is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of maritime stability and security, and to reassure Allies and Partners throughout Europe and Africa.

For more news from CSG 8, visit, www.facebook.com/CSG8, www.navy.mil/local.cvn75/, www.facebook.com/usnavy, www.instagram.com/uss_harrys.truman, www.navy.mil, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

Posted on

Defense News: Gold To Blue: USS Hershel “Woody” Williams Swaps Crew

Source: United States Navy

The crew swap follows “Gold Crew’s” five-month deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility where the crew, comprised of both U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civilian mariners, participated in Obangame Express and performed maritime security operation patrols with African partners along the west coast of Africa.

“Our deployment success was due to impressive cooperation and coordination among several partners, Allies, national and international agencies and three different United States maritime forces,” said Capt. Michael Concannon, gold crew commanding officer, USS Hershel “Woody” Williams.  “The resolve and mission focus of our African partners, with support from many other organizations, led to the successful execution of several maritime training scenarios in Exercise Obangame Express.  We then implemented that training during maritime security operations along the west coast of Africa that led to a successful illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing interdiction and a successful drug interdiction event.”

The oncoming “Blue Crew” will be led by Capt. Chad Graham. Having the ability to swap crews on a ship almost anywhere in the world gives naval forces the ability to maintain a constant presence in any region of the world.

“My crew and I are excited to be back aboard Hershel “Woody” Williams,” said Capt. Chad Graham, blue crew commanding officer. “Capt. Concannon and the “Gold Crew” excelled in their missions, and we are eager to get underway and continue their work to build on the African partnership success.”

Following the crew swap, “Blue Crew” will finish the maintenance availability in Civitavecchia, and head to the northern coast of Africa to take part in Exercise Phoenix Express 2022.

Throughout the deployment the “Gold Crew” traveled approximately 12,000 nautical miles while operating in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. The U.S. shares a common interest with African partner nations in ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation on the waters surrounding the continent, because these waters are critical for Africa’s prosperity and access to global markets.

The ESB ship class is a highly flexible platform that may be used across a broad range of military operations. Acting as a mobile sea base, they are part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support missions assigned.

For over 70 years, U.S. Sixth Fleet forces have forged strategic relationships with our Allies and partners and solidified a foundation of shared values, experiences and vision aimed at preserving security and stability.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Posted on

Security News: Prolific turtle trapper sentenced to prison

Source: United States Department of Justice News

ATLANTA – Nathan Horton has been sentenced for illegally trapping and exporting thousands of freshwater turtles in Georgia in violation of the Lacey Act.

“Horton robbed public lands by using illegal traps that can cause significant harm to aquatic animals and birds,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “This tough but fair sentence should be a warning to anyone who would consider violating our nation’s wildlife protection statutes.”

“Wildlife trafficking negatively impacts our native natural resources and could possibly lead to a species’ extinction,” said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Edward Grace. “Our agents worked closely with Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure this trafficker faced prosecution for his serious crime. This work is important so future generations of Americans may enjoy our nation’s wildlife treasures.”

“Our Law Enforcement Division is tasked with protecting Georgia’s wildlife population, and they certainly did that in this case. I am proud of the hard work and long hours our investigators, working alongside our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invested in bringing this criminal to justice.” Commissioner Mark Williams. Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: The Lacey Act regulates the trafficking and labeling of wildlife, fish, and plants and makes it unlawful for individuals to, among other things, knowingly export and sell wildlife that has been illegally taken in violation of state law. In Georgia, the Department of Natural Resources (“GA-DNR”) regulates the collecting, trapping, exporting, trading, and selling of freshwater turtles from land belonging to the State of Georgia. Like it does with other wildlife, GA-DNR regulates both the number of freshwater turtles that may be collected and the manner in which they may be trapped.

From at least July 2015 and continuing until at least October 2017, Horton shipped thousands of freshwater turtles from Georgia to California that had been trapped using turtle nets that were illegal under Georgia law.  The turtles trapped by Horton were ultimately destined for Asia, where they could be sold for substantial profits. Through his illegal trapping activities, Horton earned more than $150,000. Unlike other animals that are hunted or trapped, such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels, freshwater turtles tend to have longer life spans and produce few offspring that survive to adulthood. Due to these biological characteristics, overharvesting of turtles can cause substantial, lasting damage to overall turtle populations.

Nathan Horton, 37, of Orangeburg, S.C., has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $10,000. Horton was also ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and he was banned from trapping turtles and other wildlife for the entirety of his term of supervised release. Horton was convicted on these charges on December 8, 2021, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Sistla and Samir Kaushal prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

Posted on

Security News: Rochester Man Sentenced to 72 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges

Source: United States Department of Justice News

            CONCORD – Zachary Poisson, 27, of Rochester, was sentenced on Friday to 72 months in federal prison for drug and firearm charges, United States Attorney Jane E. Young announced today.

            According to court documents and statements made in court, on September 27, 2020, Somersworth police officers were dispatched to a local store for a report of an attempted theft.  One of the suspects, Poisson, who was on probation at the time, was placed under arrest.  A satchel strapped across his body was searched incident to arrest and revealed $4,304 and a bag containing over 67 grams of fentanyl. 

            Officers later searched Poisson’s vehicle, where they found a 9mm handgun and a quantity of crack cocaine.  As a convicted felon, Poisson was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

            “Armed drug traffickers present a significant threat to public safety in New Hampshire,” said U.S. Attorney Young.  “By dealing fentanyl, this defendant was profiting from the sale of a deadly substance.  This danger was further enhanced by his unlawful possession of a firearm.  As this case demonstrates, we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to hold armed drug dealers accountable for their unlawful conduct.”

            “Removing armed drug dealers from our streets has an immediate impact on the safety of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge James M. Ferguson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “ATF is absolutely committed to working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who bring dangerous drugs and firearms into our neighborhoods are held accountable for their actions.”

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Somersworth Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Gingrande.

###

Posted on

Security News: Federal Indictment Returned for Felon in Possession of Firearm

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a three-count indictment against Marcus Ray Goins, 29, of Ridgeville, for being a felon in possession of multiple stolen firearms.

Goins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years as to each count and was ordered detained pending trial.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, 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 case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and Berkely County Sheriff’s Office.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carra Henderson is prosecuting the case. 

U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###