Month: September 2022

Posted on

Security News: U.S. Attorney’s Office and Department of Justice Announce Results of Efforts to Reduce Fentanyl Supply and Prosecute Fentanyl Traffickers

Source: United States Department of Justice News

INDIANAPOLIS – Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, and the Justice Department, announced today the results of an enforcement operation that spanned from May to September and resulted in significant fentanyl seizures across the United States.

As part of the One Pill Can Kill initiative, the DEA and its law enforcement partners seized more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and approximately 980 pounds of fentanyl powder during the period of May 23 through Sept. 8, 2022. The amount of fentanyl taken off the streets nationwide during this surge is equivalent to more than 36 million lethal doses removed from the illegal drug supply. Additionally, 338 weapons were seized, including rifles, shotguns, pistols, and hand grenades.

Of the 390 cases investigated during this period nationwide, 51 cases are linked to overdose poisonings and 35 cases link directly to one or both of the primary Mexican cartels responsible for the majority of fentanyl in the United States – the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). In addition, 129 investigations are linked to social media platforms, including Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and TikTok. These results build upon the One Pill Can Kill Phase II results announced by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram in December 2021.

“Drug overdose deaths touch every Hoosier—our families, our friends, our children. These tragedies are overwhelmingly driven by trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly opioids,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Fentanyl is concealed in everything from fake pharmaceuticals to rainbow candy-colored pills, and even within other controlled substances. The cartels and drug traffickers push these poisonous chemicals into our communities with utter disregard for human life. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will work with our partners in the DEA and throughout federal, state, and local law enforcement, to reduce the supply of these deadly drugs and hold fentanyl traffickers accountable.”

“Far too many lives have been lost across Indiana from drug overdoses and poisonings involving fake pills laced with fentanyl,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Gannon, DEA Indianapolis. “DEA is committed to working hand-in-hand with our state, local and federal partners to bring drug cartels to justice. We will also continue raising awareness about the dangers of fake pills through the ‘One Pill Can Kill’ campaign.”

“Across the country, fentanyl is devastating families and communities, and we know that violent, criminal drug cartels bear responsibility for this crisis,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department, including the extraordinary professionals of the DEA, is working to disrupt and dismantle the operations of these cartels, remove deadly fentanyl from our communities, and save Americans’ lives.”

“For the past year, confronting the fentanyl crisis has been the top priority for DEA. The most urgent threat to our communities, our kids, and our families are the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG who are mass producing and supplying the fentanyl that is poisoning and killing Americans,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG are ruthless, criminal organizations that use deception and treachery to drive addiction with complete disregard for human life. To save American lives, the DEA is relentlessly focused on defeating the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG by degrading their operations to make it impossible for them to do business.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana has led the prosecution of numerous individuals charged with or convicted of fentanyl trafficking, including:

  • Nyron Harmon, 31, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison on September 27, 2022, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
  • Arcinial Montreal Watt, 34, and Jazmynn Alaina Brown, 24, both of Evansville, Indiana, were charged by superseding indictment on September 22, 2022, for conspiring to distribute fentanyl resulting in the death of a three-year-old girl and causing a one-year-old to be hospitalized and administered NARCAN, both due to fentanyl overdoses.
  • Julius Johnson, 44, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on August 16, 2022, for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
  • Keith Jones, a/k/a “Keybo,” 56, of Indianapolis, was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 7, 2022, for allegedly leading a drug trafficking organization that conspired to distribute large amounts of fentanyl and other controlled substances. Twenty other individuals are also charged in relation to the drug trafficking conspiracy.
  • Ethan Parker, 29, and Joshua Harvey, 30, both of Evansville, Indiana, were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 24, 2022, for manufacturing fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills using a pill press and conspiring to distribute fentanyl-laced pills.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this nation. In 2021, a record number of Americans – 107,622 – died from a drug poisoning or overdose. Sixty-six percent of those deaths can be attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. According to the Indiana Department of Health, 2,554 Hoosiers died of drug overdoses in 2021 and over 70% of the deaths were caused by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Between January 1 and August 1, 2022, over 2,500 Hoosiers have been lost to drug overdoses, the vast majority from fentanyl and similar drugs.

Drug traffickers have expanded their inventory to sell fentanyl in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes. Rainbow fentanyl was first reported to DEA in February 2022, and it has now been seized in 21 states, including in the Southern District of Indiana.  

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, or the amount that could fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially lethal dose.

As part of DEA’s ongoing efforts to educate the public and encourage parents and caregivers to talk to teens and young adults about the dangers of fake pills and illicit drugs, DEA has also created a new resource, “What Every Parent and Caregiver Needs to Know About Fake Pills.”

In September 2021, DEA launched the One Pill Can Kill enforcement effort and public awareness campaign to combat the fake pill threat and educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl pills being disguised and sold as prescription medications, despite these pills not containing any of the actual medications advertised. The only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. All other pills are unsafe and potentially deadly.

Additional resources for parents and the community can be found on the DEA’s Fentanyl Awareness page.

Posted on

Security News: Charlotte Man Is Sentenced To 22 Years In Prison For The Armed Robbery Of Two Cell Phone Retail Stores

Source: United States Department of Justice News

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Frank D. Whitney sentenced Rashawn William Coleman, 24, of Charlotte, to 22 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for the armed robbery of two cell phone retail stores, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Michael C. Scherck, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in North Carolina, Chief Chad Hawkins of the Belmont Police Department, and Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement.

According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, on June 27, 2020, the Belmont Police Department responded to a service call for an armed robbery at the Cricket Wireless store located at 617 Park Street, in Belmont, North Carolina. Upon arriving at the location, a store employee told law enforcement that an individual, later identified as Coleman, entered the store posing as a customer and inquired about purchasing a cell phone. Over the course of their exchange, Coleman asked if there were any lower priced phones available. While the employee was in the back of the store looking through the cell phone inventory, he saw Coleman standing in the doorway pointing a gun at him. Coleman then ordered the employee to hand over all of the iPhones and other high valued cell phones. Court records show that Coleman also ordered the employee to load the store’s safe in Coleman’s vehicle before fleeing the scene.

On July 29, 2020, the Belmont Police Department responded to a service call regarding the armed robbery of an AT&T Wireless store located at 6509 Wilkinson Boulevard in Belmont. Responding officers investigating the robbery interviewed a store employee who said she had been robbed at gun point. The employee explained that at approximately 7:37 p.m., an individual later identified as Coleman entered the store and began to inquire about purchasing a cell phone. While the employee was at the computer looking through available inventory, Coleman came around the counter and pointed a firearm at her. Coleman then ordered the store employee to place all the cell phones from the safe in his bag. Coleman then fled the scene in his vehicle.

Following the robbery, CMPD officers located Coleman driving his vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Coleman did not obey and attempted to evade the police before he was arrested. Inside Coleman’s vehicle, law enforcement located the stolen cell phones, a firearm, and a magazine that contained 15 bullets.

On December 13, 2021, Coleman pleaded guilty to two counts of possession and brandishing of a firearm during, in relation to, and in furtherance of a crime of violence. He is currently in custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the FBI, the Belmont Police Department, and CMPD for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.

Posted on

Defense News: Learn or Burn: Damage Control Training aboard USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55)

Source: United States Navy

From boot camp until their final days in the Navy, this phrase is one every Sailor will hear – and for good reason. The ability to combat fires, floods, or other casualties is essential to fleet readiness. One thing is for certain: when underway, Navy Sailors are the first and last lines of defense against combat casualties.

Damage control is a systematic concept of training and pre-planned responses to casualties aboard ships. Outlined in the Surface Force Training and Readiness Manual are the expectations for qualifications and training frequency for naval vessels. This instruction delegates responsibility for damage control readiness to the ship’s executive officer.

“I take this very seriously,” said Cmdr. Adam Ochs, executive officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). “Damage control training is extremely important to a Sailor’s development. Sailors need to understand that we are one family, and underway this is our home. We have to protect it at all costs.”

The Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) is the primary means by which Leyte Gulf trains and assesses casualty control preparedness. The design of Navy ships forces Sailors to think outside the box when training or faced with an actual casualty. Fires, for example, are not just some simple casualty that requires water to extinguish. Consideration must be given to where the fire main is being sprayed, electrical safety concerns, and where the water will go once the casualty is secured. DCTT is made up of qualified Sailors who have shown a commitment to casualty response, and who carry the burden of training their junior counterparts.

“DCTT on Leyte Gulf is one of the hungriest I have ever seen,” said Ochs, “Here we have a group that is super excited about getting out there and training their fellow Sailors.”

Leyte Gulf’s damage control philosophy starts at the divisional level and leadership has a responsibility to instill in their Sailors the importance of casualty control. Simply put, every Sailor is responsible for saving the ship.

“The push really comes from divisional leadership,” said Lt. Scott Reagh, damage control assistant aboard Leyte Gulf. “My team pushes to get Sailors qualified and qualified early, and we hold them accountable if they fall short, because this is important. They see their chain of command care about damage control and it makes them eager to get involved. We hold our Sailors to a high standard. This allows them to get out there and provide training to others.”

There are more than just immediate benefits to proper damage control response. The ability to respond to damage today allows the Navy to be operational tomorrow and gives Sailors the peace of mind that they will come home to their families.

“The overall involvement of the crew aboard Leyte Gulf is incredibly high,” said Reagh. “When we actually have casualties, the repair lockers respond so fast, they are typically manned and ready before I can make it down to CCS [Central Control Station]. I have found it’s not only just the members of our flying squad, but other members of the ship that want to help as well.”

In port or underway, DCTT holds regular training, involving different scenarios from main space fires to flight deck crash and salvage scenarios. This ensures that every Sailor on Leyte Gulf is prepared for when they may be called upon to save the ship or a shipmate’s life. DCTT has and continues to train the Sailors of Leyte Gulf for any casualty the crew may have to confront.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the GHWBCSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Leyte Gulf.

The ships of DESRON 26 within CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).

The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.

Posted on

Defense News: Jacksonville Sortie Area Ships and Aircraft Ahead of Hurricane Ian

Source: United States Navy

Ships began departures from Naval Station Mayport today and will complete heavy weather mooring if required to stay in port. Aircraft will initiate evacuations from area airfields or be secured in hangars rated to withstand hurricane force winds. Four ships and multiple rotary and fixed-wing aircraft are expected to relocate and remain out of the local area until it is determined safe to return.

“Hurricane preparations began months ago through a Navy-wide exercise ahead of the hurricane season,” said Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet. “Our Sailors will now focus on the safe execution of those planning efforts to enable sustained fleet operations.”

The littoral combat ship, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) was the first ship to depart from Naval Station Mayport today. The three remaining ships will depart this afternoon. Sailors and port personnel will heavy weather moor the six remaining ships at the Naval Station. All aircraft not departing will remain hangered between NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport.

Rear Adm. Wes McCall, Navy Region Southeast, instructed all Navy installations in the Jacksonville area to set Hurricane Condition of Readiness Three in preparation for the storm. All bases are currently open.

Following the direction of civilian authorities, McCall, has authorized the evacuation of non-essential active duty military, civilian employees, drilling reservists, and authorized dependents residing in the Florida counties of Charlotte, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota. The designated safe haven is within 100 miles of
Melbourne, Fla.

“Given the storm’s unpredictability and the forecasted winds and storm surge, civilian authorities along the west coast have issued mandatory evacuations,” said McCall, “since these evacuations will affect our military personnel and their families I have authorized the evacuations of those
personnel located in the mandatory evacuation zones in Florida.”

All personnel and their families should review their Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System (NFAAS) account (https://navyfamily.navy.mil) and review hurricane checklists in the
event an evacuation is deemed necessary.

Navy personnel and their families should visit the Ready Navy website at https://ready.navy.mil and follow Twitter (@ReadyNavy). Ready Navy provides information, tools and resources that empower the Navy family to more aptly prepare for, react and recover when faced with any emergency.

Posted on

Defense News: Additional contracts awarded for Hurricane Sally recovery efforts at Naval Air Station Pensacola

Source: United States Navy

On Sept. 14, a contract in the amount of $38.8 million, a firm-fixed-price task order, was awarded to Sauer Construction LLC, from Jacksonville, Florida, under a multiple award construction contract to provide demolition, construction, and repair work associated with storm damage.

“The repairs are vital to the installation to allow proper drainage of sewer and rainfall from the base,” said Ensign Alexander Pangelinan, construction manager for Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) Sally. “In addition, many of the base’s substations and pipes are reaching the end of their effective lifespan. Replacement of these components will save on further maintenance cost of aging systems.”

The work to be performed provides replacing 13 damaged substations, repairing or replacing existing power poles supporting the overhead power distribution system, replacing manholes, replacing hand holes, replacing underground circuits, abandoning and replacing an existing 5kV direct-buried cable, replacing portions of overhead power with underground circuits, and providing a new reinforced concrete duct back between two substations.

Within the Hurricane Sally destruction area, 15 specific storm-water infrastructure areas were identified as needing repair or replacement. Work consists of removal and replacement of a damaged gangway, removing and replacing a damaged fabric canopy over the entrance gate, repairing damaged sidewalks and lighting along the seawall, backfilling and grading scour areas, repairing one boardwalk, repairing a Golf Cart Bridge, and minor repairs to the Main Gate Bridge.

Building envelope repairs consist of repairing and replacing roof systems, replacing damaged windows, replacing vinyl siding, mold remediation, replacing ceiling systems, and patching and repairing interior finishes to a limited number of facilities.

Work will be performed in Pensacola, Florida and is expected to be completed by March 2025.

On Sept. 21, a contract for $14.8 million, also a firm-fixed-price task order, was awarded to VHB, LLC, from Boyds, Maryland, under a multiple award construction contract to provide repairs to the sanitary sewer system in the southeast sector and the replacement of a water reservoir tank.

“The water treatment plant is the main plant serving both Corry Station and NAS Pensacola,” said Pangelinan.

The work to be performed provides for replacing, repairing, cleaning, and abandoning manholes; cleaning, replacing and repairing lining, or plugging cleanouts, laterals, and mains; installing and replacing manhole inserts.

The work also provides the replacement of the existing 500,000-gallon reinforced concrete water reservoir and 150,000-gallon metal water tank water treatment plant at Corry Station.

Pangelinan stated, “The contractor will be providing the design and construction to replace the existing concrete water reservoir and metal water tank water treatment plant, which will provide the base a continued source of clean water.”

Work will be performed in Pensacola, Florida and is expected to be completed by June 2024.

Two contracts were awarded on Sept. 23. The first was a $25 million firm-fixed-price modification to Sauer Construction, LLC, from Jacksonville, Florida, under a previously awarded task order placed against a multiple award construction contract, which provides for demolition, construction, and repair work associated with storm damage.

The work to be performed provides repairs to the overhead power distribution system, relocates the portion of the power distribution system underground in a concrete duct bank, installs sectionalizing cabinets, replaces damaged and vulnerable electrical equipment including transformers, breakers, wire, cable terminations and smart meter, and demolishes existing circuits including cable, poles, and cross arms.

Work will be performed in Pensacola, Florida and is expected to be completed by March 2025.

Also on Sept. 23 was a $26.2 million firm-fixed-price task order to The Korte Company from St. Louis, Missouri, under a multiple award construction contract to provide storm damage repairs to six facilities onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida.

The contract includes storm damage repairs to two student barracks, two buildings associated with the installation’s Family Services Center, and two maintenance hangars.

The work provides for architectural column repair and replacement, window repair and replacement, roof repair and replacement, attic insulation replacement, asbestos, lead paint and mold abatement, interior finish repairs including walls and ceiling grid, fire alarm repairs, HVAC repairs and replacement, structural steel repair and replacement, structural steel coating and concrete repair.

Work will be performed in Pensacola, Florida and is expected to be completed by May 2024.

Hurricane Sally made landfall as a Category 2 storm back on Sept. 16, 2020, bringing 92 mph wind gusts to Pensacola and damaging over 350 facilities on the installation. NAVFAC Southeast established ROICC Sally to focus solely on hurricane recovery projects over the next few years.