Month: September 2022

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Defense News: USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) arrives in Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo

Source: United States Navy

The port visit marks the first U.S. ship visit to the Republic of the Congo in more than a decade and demonstrates the strengthening security relationship between the two countries. While in Pointe Noire, Hershel “Woody” Williams will host ship tours and a reception for government, military and community leaders as well as participate in a soccer game with local community youth.

“We are grateful to the Republic of Congo for allowing us this port visit – it’s a great honor to be the first U.S. ship to visit after such a hiatus,” said Capt. Chad Graham, commanding officer of Hershel “Woody” Williams. “I look forward to strengthening the already great relations we have between the U.S. and Congo, and that we continue to support one another as we pursue safety and security in the region.”

The Republic of Congo is an important partner of the United States in promoting peace and security in Africa. Additionally, the Republic of Congo participated in exercise Obangame Express 2022, the largest annual maritime security exercise in Western Africa. These types of exercises strengthen our partnerships and allow our countries to work closely on shared transnational maritime goals.

“Given the Republic of Congo’s location and its important role in maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, the security partnership between the United States and the Republic of Congo continues to grow and holds many opportunities and possibilities to advance our shared interests in the region,” said Eugene Young, U.S. Ambassador to Republic of the Congo. “The visit of USS Hershel “Woody” Williams demonstrates our commitment to further strengthen that partnership.”   

U.S. Naval Forces Africa’s (NAVAF’s) ongoing maritime security cooperation with African partners focuses on maritime safety and security through increased maritime awareness, response capabilities, and infrastructure. It also includes various exercises and operations conducted by U.S., European, and African partners and allies throughout the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) area of responsibility.

“We are delighted and honored by the government of the Republic of Congo and the Congolese Armed Forces’ willingness to host such an important ship visit in the region, and we hope to continue similar official visits in the future,” said Lt. Col. Joshua Thyer, defense official at U.S. Embassy Brazzaville.

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.

Hershel “Woody” Williams is the first warship permanently assigned to the AFRICOM area of responsibility and is forward-deployed to the NAVAF area of operations, while employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet.

The ship is an expeditionary sea base, which is capable of conducting counter-piracy, maritime security, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations, as well as supporting a variety of rotary wing aircraft. Acting as a mobile sea base, Hershel “Woody” Williams is a part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces and supplies to support global missions.

For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has forged strategic relationships with allies and partners, leveraging a foundation of shared values to preserve security and stability. 

Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations.

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Security News: Harford County Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child and for Illegal Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Baltimore, Maryland – Yesterday U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III sentenced Travis Joseph Crawford, age 34, of Edgewood, Maryland, to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a child to produce child pornography and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  Judge Russell also ordered that, upon his release from prison, Crawford will be required to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). 

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division; Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler; and Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.

According to Crawford’s plea agreement and other court documents, on November 30, 2020, Harford County Sheriff’s deputies went to Crawford’s residence, based on an arrest warrant issued for Crawford by Maryland State Police for firearms related offenses.  When the officers arrived, they heard Crawford call, “Where’s my gun?”  Crawford was arrested and law enforcement recovered a cell phone, a smart watch, and a fully-loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.  A search warrant subsequently executed on Crawford’s phone revealed three sexually explicit videos involving Jane Doe, all of which were recorded without her knowledge or permission.  Crawford was also previously a convicted felon and therefore was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

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 Erek L. Barron commended HSI, ATF, the Maryland State Police, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-childhood and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Security News: Former NYPD Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Embezzlement Scheme

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Thomas M. Fattorusso, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office (“IRS-CI”), and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (“DOL-OIG”), announced that ANTHONY LISI pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his involvement in an embezzlement scheme.  LISI surrendered yesterday and pled guilty before United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer, to whom his case is assigned.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “As he admitted, Anthony Lisi participated in an embezzlement scheme.  Lisi accepted a job with a technology company and, for over a year, submitted falsified weekly time sheets to his employer. He claimed that he had worked eight hours per day, every day—including various holidays—when he had not.  As a law enforcement officer who worked for the NYPD for over 20 years, including as a Sergeant, Lisi knew right from wrong.”

FBI Assistant Director Michael J. Driscoll said:  “As he admitted, Mr. Lisi intentionally defrauded his victims through an embezzlement scheme as soon as he began his employment.  As a law enforcement officer, he knew better than most that by lying about the services he provided he was committing a crime.  Embezzlement schemes harm both private businesses and the broader economy regardless of their scale.  The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work to hold fraudsters accountable in our justice system.”

IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso said:  “There is simply no excuse for Lisi, whose job as a Sergeant with the NYPD was to understand how laws work and how laws are broken.  His scheme to make fast cash without doing the work has now landed him on the wrong side of the law, and his guilty plea moves him a step closer to realizing the consequences of his actions.”

According to the allegations in the Information, court filings, and statements made in court:

In connection with an IT services contract, a technology company hired ANTHONY LISI.  From January 2018 to February 2019, LISI electronically submitted weekly time sheets in which he represented to the technology company that he had worked eight hours per day, every day, including various holidays.  In fact, he had not.  These false representations induced the technology company to pay LISI. 

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LISI, 47, of Monroe, New Jersey, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, LISI has agreed to forfeit $66,100 and to pay restitution of $94,185. 

The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  LISI is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Engelmayer on December 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI, IRS-CI, and DOL-OIG.  Mr. Williams also noted that the investigation is ongoing.

This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit.  Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Neff is in charge of the prosecution.

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Security News: Middleborough Man Indicted for Firearm Offense

Source: United States Department of Justice News

BOSTON – A Middleborough man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with his alleged theft and attempted sale of three firearms from FedEx packages he was responsible for delivering.

Frank P. O’Toole, 39, was indicted on two counts of possession or sale of a stolen firearm. O’Toole was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on Aug. 12, 2022.

According to the charging documents, O’Toole previously worked as a FedEx delivery truck driver out of a FedEx facility. It is alleged that, between October 2021 and June 2022, O’Toole stole three packages he was responsible for delivering, each containing a firearm intended for a Federal Firearms Licensee. On Aug. 9, 2022 and Aug. 12, 2022, O’Toole allegedly sold the three firearms to an undercover agent during two separate controlled purchases.

The charge of possession of a stolen firearm provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Rachael S. Rollins; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and Middleborough Police Chief Joseph Perkins made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of Rollins’ Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Security News: United States Settles With Four Additional Responsible Parties For The Release Of Mercury In The Village Of Rye Brook

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Defendants Agree to Pay $437,255 in Clean-up Costs and Accept Responsibility in Consent Decree

Damian Williams, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Lisa Flavia Garcia, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), Region 2, announced today that the United States has filed a civil lawsuit against AMERICAN IRON & METAL CO., INC. (“AIM”), CULP INDUSTRIES, INC. (“Culp”), PARAMOUNT GLOBAL (“Paramount”), and PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE (“PSNH”) (collectively, the “Defendants”), and has simultaneously filed a consent decree settling the lawsuit.  In the complaint, brought pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675 (“CERCLA”) – commonly known as the Superfund statute – the United States alleged that the Defendants arranged for the disposal or treatment of mercury by Port Refinery, Inc. (“Port Refinery”), a mercury refining business in the Village of Rye Brook, New York, which led to releases of mercury into the environment.  The consent decree provides for a combined payment of $437,255 by the Defendants for costs incurred by EPA in conducting clean-up activities at the site.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “AIM, Culp, Paramount, and PSNH played a part in causing contamination in a residential community by arranging for the treatment or disposal of nearly 4,000 pounds of toxic mercury or mercury-containing materials, and now each is paying a share of the costs that EPA had to incur to clean up this site.  This Office continues to pursue and hold responsible parties accountable for their share of the costs at the site.”

EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia said:  “With an additional $437,255 in cleanup costs that will be recovered by EPA, this settlement is good news and it brings the total amount recovered from responsible parties for this cleanup to more than $2.8 million.  This case demonstrates EPA’s commitment to clean up harmful pollution while holding accountable those entities that are responsible for cleanup costs.”

As alleged in the complaint filed today in White Plains federal District Court, each of the Defendants arranged for Port Refinery’s treatment or disposal of used or scrap mercury and mercury-containing materials at the Site.  Port Refinery’s treatment and processing of mercury sent by the Defendants and other parties led to extensive releases of mercury into the environment, necessitating two separate clean-up actions by EPA.  In connection with the second clean-up, EPA incurred costs at the Site for investigative and removal activities, including, among other things, excavating and disposing of more than 9,300 tons of mercury-contaminated soil from the site.

In the consent decree filed today, the Defendants admit and accept responsibility for the following:

  • EPA has determined that from the 1970s through the early 1990s, Port Refinery engaged in, among other things, the business of mercury reclaiming, refining, and processing.
  • Port Refinery operated in the Village of Rye Brook out of a two-story garage bordered by private residences on its south, east, and west sides.
  • EPA has determined that Port Refinery took virtually no environmental precautions or safety measures during its mercury refinement process.
  • EPA has determined that Port Refinery released a significant amount of mercury into the environment, contaminating the Site.
  • EPA has determined that mercury from the Defendants’ mercury-containing products was comingled at the Site and contributed to the mercury released into the environment.

Moreover, in the consent decree each Defendant admits and accepts responsibility for directly or indirectly delivering mercury to Port Refinery as follows:

  • AIM delivered 1,033 pounds of mercury to Port Refinery during Port Refinery’s period of operations.
  • Culp delivered 527 pounds of scrap mercury to Port Refinery during Port Refinery’s period of operations.
  • Paramount delivered to Port Refinery, via a third-party broker, ten drums containing at least 600 pounds of mercury residue for refining by Port Refinery during Port Refinery’s period of operations.
  • PSNH sold 1,754 pounds of used mercury containing titanium or magnesium to a third-party broker during Port Refinery’s period of operations, and EPA has determined that those surplus mercury and mercury-containing materials came to be located at the Site.

Pursuant to the consent decree, the Defendants will pay a total of $437,255 in costs incurred by EPA.

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This lawsuit is the United States’ seventh lawsuit against responsible parties to recover clean-up costs for the second clean-up at the Site.  With this settlement, the United States has recovered a total of $2,819,392 from responsible parties. 

The consent decree will be lodged with the District Court for a period of at least 30 days before it is submitted for the Court’s approval to provide public notice and to afford members of the public the opportunity to comment on the consent decree.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Environmental Protection Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony J. Sun is in charge of the case.