Month: July 2022

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Security News: Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison for Drug Conspiracy Involving Postal Carriers

Source: United States Department of Justice News

A drug dealer who worked with postal carriers to conduct a methamphetamine drug conspiracy was sentenced Thursday in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

Chief U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III sentenced Kamau Jahi Williams, 43, of Tulsa, to 188 months in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. 

Starting as early as December 2019 and continuing to October 2021, the defendant conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Williams admitted in his plea agreement to purchasing methamphetamine from a source of supply in California and redistributing the drug to third parties in Tulsa. His source of supply normally fronted the methamphetamine for Williams. After Williams received payment from customers, he would pay the source of supply.

According to court documents, Williams ran the operation in the Northern District of Oklahoma with the support of several postal workers. As part of the conspiracy, Williams’ source in California mailed shipments of methamphetamine to an abandoned Tulsa address through the U.S. Postal Service. Several postal carriers allegedly intercepted those packages. As part of the conspiracy, they marked the packages as delivered and then would meet Williams at various locations in Tulsa to deliver the methamphetamine packages.

In September 2021, a federal jury convicted Williams in a separate drug conspiracy. In that case, Williams was sentenced to 77 months in federal prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine, Drug Conspiracy, and Distribution of Heroin. The two federal sentences will run concurrently.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel-lyn McCormick prosecuted the case.

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Security News: Justice Department Announces Six New Firearms Technical Assistance Project Sites and Awards $750,000 to National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Projects Strengthen Community Response to Domestic Violence Incidents Involving Firearms

The Department of Justice announced today six new sites selected to participate in the Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP) expansion as part of the Department’s ongoing effort to reduce violent crime and help communities across the country reduce domestic violence homicides and injuries committed with firearms. The six new FTAP sites are: the City of Tucson, Arizona; the Georgia Department of Community Supervision; the City of Detroit, Michigan; the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley in Tennessee; the City of Austin, Texas; and the City of Yakima, Washington. The six sites announced today join six existing FTAP sites, which include: Birmingham, Alabama; Muscogee (Creek) Nation; Columbus, Ohio; Brooklyn, New York; the State of Vermont; and Spokane, Washington.

In addition, the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) will award $750,000 to fund the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, which supports all levels of government in comprehensive implementation and enforcement of domestic violence firearm prohibitions. OVW has awarded a total of $5.99 million to the 12 FTAP sites, which help communities nationwide reduce domestic violence homicides and injuries committed with firearms.

“At the Justice Department, our anti-violent crime strategy is centered on our partnerships with communities across the country and the law enforcement agencies that protect those communities every day,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Our Firearms Technical Assistance Project focuses on the intersection of gun violence and domestic violence at the community level through specialized training for our law enforcement partners and enhanced support services for the survivors of domestic violence.”

“We cannot end domestic violence homicides without crafting strategies that meet the unique needs on the ground in communities, including centering those who have been historically marginalized,” said OVW Acting Director Allison Randall. “This is why it is critical that FTAP sites work with underserved communities to implement firearm prohibition strategies that reflect their needs. OVW’s Firearms Technical Assistance Project keeps survivors and communities safe by using a holistic, culturally specific approach to firearm relinquishment – addressing the critical and often lethal nexus of firearms and domestic violence.”

FTAP supports the Justice Department’s comprehensive strategy for reducing violent crime and was included in the White House’s Fact Sheet on Highlights from the Biden Administration’s Historic Efforts to Reduce Gun Violence. Under federal law, individuals with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders, are prohibited from possessing firearms. The data shows that offenders with domestic violence in their past pose a high risk of homicide. In fact, domestic violence abusers with a gun in the home are five times more likely to kill their partners, and in addition to their lethality, firearms are used by abusers to inflict fear, intimidation, and coercive control.

The new FTAP sites will receive direct financial support, ranging from $499,212 to $500,000, as well as technical assistance designed to help each site implement best practices for preventing the use of firearms in domestic violence and incorporate community partners, particularly partner organizations that center underserved populations, into their efforts to implement effective responses to firearms and domestic violence. In 2019, OVW and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges launched FTAP to help communities implement policies, protocols, and promising practices to prevent abusers from having access to firearms in domestic violence cases. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms is operated by the Battered Women’s Justice Project through OVW funding, and includes a model firearms relinquishment protocol, strategies for communities and spotlights on successful approaches, among other resources.

OVW provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communities across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In addition to overseeing federal grant programs, OVW undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. Learn more at www.justice.gov/ovw.

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Defense News: The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, stationed onboard Naval Station Norfolk, held a change of command ceremony Thursday, June 16th, to mark a transition of command leadership.

Source: United States Navy

During the ceremony, Cmdr. Thomas Butts, of Erlanger, Kentucky, assumed all duties and responsibilities as the HSC-7 commanding officer from Cmdr. Kevin Chambley, of Chesapeake, Virginia. Continuing Chambley’s vision for the squadron, Butts intends to build upon the culture of excellence, and continue the squadron’s outstanding record for readiness and mission accomplishment. These have been high priorities for both commanders. 

During Chambley’s time at HSC-7, the “Dusty Dogs” completed two back-to-back record-breaking deployments during a pandemic, with an unprecedented 206 continuous days at sea without any port calls.  HSC-7 is currently starting another workup cycle in preparation for their next deployment.

“What we have accomplished over the last thirty months is remarkable and extraordinary,” Chambley said as he reflected on his time with the squadron. “I’m extremely proud to [have been] your commanding Officer. It’s bittersweet. This tour has been the highlight of my career, and I appreciate everyone’s hard work, dedication to mission success, and the outstanding culture that we have built. [The Dusty Dogs] are a force to be reckoned with.”

 Chambley then went on to wish Butts, and the entirety of HSC-7, the best as he turned over the leadership of his squadron. “I have no doubt that [Cmdr. Butts] will continue the Dusty traditions and its legacy as the leading helicopter squadron in the fleet… Think positive, be positive. Once a Dusty, always a Dusty…One pack, one fight.”

Butt said “[Skipper Chambley] led during a global pandemic that created an entirely new set of challenges. After returning from deployment, he reset…and once again deployed with a combat ready squadron prepared to conduct our nation’s business. Dusty answered the call and additionally won the Battle “E” under his leadership. Team Dusty is in good hands, we will continue to build upon the foundation that [he] established.”

Butts expressed his gratitude to all of the people he’s come across in his 27 year-long career that have made him into the officer and leader that he is today. “There is zero doubt that I hit the jackpot with both [the XO and the CMC]…I’m looking forward to working alongside [them] in building our culture and preparing Team Dusty to answer the call.”

Butts closed his remarks by addressing the officers and sailors standing in formation in the hangar. He referred to them as “our Nation’s finest” and said, “Team Dusty, my promise to you is that I will bring my best every day. In return, all I ask is that you bring your best…I’m proud to be a Dusty Dog and serve by your side. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be your Commanding Officer.”

HSC-7 is a direct report to Commander, Carrier Air Wing 3. The primary missions of HSC-7 are Maritime Attack, Combat Logistics, Personnel Recovery, Naval Special Warfare support, and Search and Rescue (SAR). 
 

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Security News: Delta Airlines to Pay $10.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Falsely Reporting Delivery Times of U.S. Mail Carried Internationally

Source: United States Department of Justice News

The Justice Department announced today that Delta Airlines Inc. (Delta) has agreed to pay $10.5 million to resolve its alleged liability under the False Claims Act for falsely reporting information about the transfer of U.S. mail to foreign posts or other intended recipients under contracts with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Delta is an international air carrier incorporated in Delaware with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

“The United States expects the air carriers with which the USPS contracts to accurately report the services they provide,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The resolution announced today reflects the department’s commitment to pursuing contractors that do not meet their contractual obligations to the United States and misrepresent their failure to perform.”

USPS contracted with Delta to take possession of receptacles of U.S. mail at six locations in the United States or at various Department of Defense and State Department locations abroad, and then deliver that mail to numerous international and domestic destinations. To obtain payment under the contracts, Delta was required to submit electronic scans of the mail receptacles to USPS reporting the time the mail was delivered at the identified destinations. The contracts specified penalties for mail that was delivered late or to the wrong location. The settlement resolves allegations that scans submitted by Delta falsely reported the time and fact that it transferred possession of the mail. 

“The USPS contracts with commercial airlines for the safeguarding and timely delivery of U.S. mail to foreign posts, including the mail sent to our soldiers deployed to foreign operating bases,” said Executive Special Agent in Charge Ken Cleevely of USPS, Office of Inspector General (OIG). “The OIG supports the Postal Service by aggressively investigating allegations of contractual non-compliance within the mail delivery process, including the falsification of delivery information. Our special agents worked hand-in-hand with the Department of Justice to help ensure a reasonable resolution and we applaud the exceptional work done by the investigative and legal teams.”

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with substantial assistance from the USPS OIG and the USPS Office of General Counsel. Senior Trial Counsel Don Williamson of the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, represented the government in the civil case. This is the sixth civil settlement involving air carrier liability for false delivery scans under the USPS ICAIR Contracts, and collectively the United States has recovered more than $80 million as a result of its investigation of such misconduct. 

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.

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GSA and NGLCC Collaborate to Expand Support for LGBTQI-Owned Businesses

Source: United States General Services Administration

June 30, 2022

WASHINGTON – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which aims to enhance access to GSA contracting opportunities for LGBTQI-owned small businesses.

The MOU aligns with GSA’s Equity Action Plan, which seeks to advance equity and supplier diversity in federal procurement. The MOU also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s overall efforts to address the social, civic, and economic barriers facing underserved communities.

Through the MOU, the two organizations will work together to increase awareness of GSA programs and services among LGBTQI-owned small businesses and small business owners. This will include providing information to local LGBTQI affiliate chambers of commerce around the country about GSA programs, services, and events that help small businesses learn about contracting and subcontracting.

“We need everyone’s ideas and products to make America stronger, including the vibrant communities of LGBTQI-owned businesses throughout the country,” said Administrator Robin Carnahan. “We’re thrilled to be working more closely with NGLCC and its network to get the word out about how they can help us meet our mission and bring value to government.”

“We’re proud to partner with the General Services Administration to help connect innovative, job creating LGBTQ-owned businesses to contracting resources and opportunities in the federal government,” said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), which has established MOUs with multiple federal agencies, as well as championed public sector LGBTQ business inclusion in over 30 cities and states. “Diversity is good for the business of government. The American Dream must be open to every American, including the 1.4 million LGBTQ business owners that help power the national economy.”

A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding is online [PDF – 324 KB].

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About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing approximately $75 billion in annual contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.