Month: September 2022

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Defense News: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris Visits USS Howard (DDG 83)

Source: United States Navy

The visit to Howard was part of Vice President Harris’ trip to Japan to attend the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which included a stop in Yokosuka to interact with Sailors and families.

“The USS Howard was honored to host the vice president today to discuss all the hard work the crew has been doing since becoming part of the forward-deployed naval forces of Japan last year,” said Cmdr. Travis Montplaisir, commanding officer of Higgins. “It is always a pleasure to show off the ship and the crew, discuss the Howard’s capabilities and honor our ship’s namesake 1st Sgt. Jimmie Howard.”

Prior to addressing the crew and guests Vice President’s Harris met with Sailors and toured the ship.

“I felt very honored and excited to meet the vice president,” said Gunner’s Mate 1st Class Cora Rago Bracali-Gambino, from Sacramento, California. “As the first female vice president, I look up to her and the example she has set. Seeing what she has been able to accomplish inspires me to do greater things and gives me something to look forward to in the future.”

Vice President Harris addressed the Howard’s crew on the ship’s flight deck, highlighting the administration’s continued commitment to its alliances and interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The United States is a proud Pacific power,” said Harris. “The American people have found stake in the future of this region and we will continue to promote an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, secure and resilient. Your presence here, the presence of the United States in the Indo-Pacific is in pursuit of peace and stability, and to support our allies and partners. In that mission, each and every one of you plays an essential role, so again I thank you for looking out for our neighbors and friends, for pursuing the common good and for always standing up for freedom.”

Since homeport shifting from Naval Base San Diego last year, the Howard has operated throughout the Indo-Pacific with both the Carl Vinson and Ronald Reagan Strike Groups, conducting various integrated fires exercises such as Noble Jaguar and Katana Strike, and sailed to Wellington, New Zealand, being the first U.S. Navy destroyer to visit that country in five years.

Howard is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed fleet in the world, and with the help of a network of alliances and partners from 35 other maritime-nations, the U.S. Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.

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Defense News: CNATTU Norfolk staff hosts local maintenance, flight officers to increase awareness of its training capabilities

Source: United States Navy

In coordination with the wing maintenance officers (MO), an opportunity was created for the squadron leadership, ground officers, and any interested MO’s and pilot/naval flight officer division officers to tour CNATTU Norfolk facilities and training assets. 

Hurst started the tour by providing an overview presentation of all the type/model/series, aviation ordnance, shipboard, special operations parachute rigging, and aviation maintenance and administration courses offered by CNATTU Norfolk and its learning site in Ft. Lee, Virginia.
 
Following that, walking tours were conducted by Lt. Willie Duncan, CNATTU Norfolk training officer. The walking tours showcased the vast number of hands-on trainers available to students to build skillsets needed in the squadrons.  These trainers are available not only to students in the school house, but also to squadron personnel who need refresher training to review specialized technical aspects of their skills in the fleet for MH-60S, E-2C/D, and C-2A aircraft.

Overall this was an excellent opportunity to build knowledge of what CNATTU Norfolk offers to support the maintenance effort on the flight line and waterfront as well as providing training to ground officers in the Norfolk area.

Lt. Cmdr. Carl Vick, assistant maintenance officer (AMO) for Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, took advantage of the opportunity that Hurst and her team provided.

“My responsibility as an AMO is to ensure that the Sailors assigned to the Command have requisite formal training to perform their job,” Vick said.  ‘I could not pass up the opportunity to see first-hand, the valuable services that CNATTU Norfolk provides the junior and senior Sailors of the flight line and more importantly, the Fleet.”

Vick said he came away with some valuable information about the CNATTU Norfolk mission.

“I have a greater admiration for the instructors’ desire and eagerness to train,” Vick added.  “The school house gave us numerous examples of the utilization of their instructor’s knowledge and services, offering us an open-door invitation to coordinate on demand in-rate training within a controlled environment to build upon or refresh the Sailor’s knowledge.”
 

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Security News: Michael Rodriguez Cepeda Sentenced to 108 Months in Federal Prison for Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Michael Rodriguez Cepeda, age 50, from Guam, was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to 108 months imprisonment for Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1).   The Court also ordered five years of supervised release following imprisonment. In addition, the Court restated Cepeda’s mandatory obligation to register with the sex offender registration agency in the state/territory that he will take up residency or work. Cepeda’s duty to register was the result of a 1990 conviction for First Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Superior Court of Guam. The district court also imposed a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

On August 4, 2021, Michael Rodriguez Cepeda attempted to receive a mail parcel that contained approximately 1,365 gross grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement tracked Cepeda as he left an area of cluster mailboxes directly across from the Yona Mayor’s Office in Yona, Guam. Cepeda opened the package and then attempted to evade law enforcement. Following his arrest, Cepeda admitted that he was paid $4,000 for receiving each package of drugs.  He also disclosed that this was the third package received.

“This case involved yet another attempt to use postal cluster boxes to facilitate drug trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “The penalties clearly outweigh the personal gain to those engaging in this criminal activity. We will continue our enforcement efforts to send this message to drug traffickers and hold them accountable.”

“Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that is appearing with alarming frequency in the islands,” said John. F. Tobon, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Honolulu. “We continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute dealers so offenders like Cepeda are brought to justice.”

“In Guam and across the country, Postal Inspectors are committed to identifying and arresting drug traffickers to keep controlled substances out of the U.S. Mail” said Kevin Rho, Acting Inspector in Charge, USPIS, San Francisco Division. “I would like to thank our law enforcement partners for their continuing dedication and teamwork.”

This investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations and the United Postal Inspection Service.  The case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.

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Security News: Guam Drug Dealer Sentenced to 136 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking, Felon in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Nathan Earl McCord Borja, age 38, from Guam, was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to 136 months imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1), and Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§922(g)(1). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release following imprisonment and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits. 

In February 2021, Guam Police Department officers received information that the Nathan Earl McCord Borja was selling methamphetamine in Guam. Law enforcement surveilled and arrested Borja as he sold 29.10 grams of methamphetamine to an individual in Tumon. A search of Borja’s vehicle revealed a Rossi revolver, 16 rounds of ammunition, $7,128 in cash, 8.23 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket, and an additional 12.99 grams of methamphetamine hidden in his vehicle. A search of Borja’s phone revealed his participation in a drug distribution conspiracy since 2020.  Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives noted that the serial numbers on the firearm were obliterated.  In addition, Borja had a prior felony conviction that prohibited him from possessing any firearm or ammunition.

“Drugs and firearms are a dangerous combination for community safety,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Unfortunately, we often see this in organized criminal activity. These cases are a high priority for our office. Those engaging in this type of crime should expect federal prosecution and stiff sentences.”

“By trafficking drugs and illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon, Mr. Borja clearly did not learn from his previous actions,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson.  “Hopefully with this sentence he will be able to reflect on the harm he has brought to the people of Guam.”

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This was a joint investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Guam Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.

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Security News: Andrew P. Manibusan and James Bernard Ada Mafnas Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

Source: United States Department of Justice News

Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendants Andrew P. Manibusan, age 38, from Antioch, California, and James Bernard Ada Mafnas, age 51, from Barrigada, Guam, were sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to federal imprisonment for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii). Manibusan was sentenced to 168 months, while Mafnas received 121 months. The Court also ordered each defendant to serve five years of supervised release following imprisonment and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits. 

From April to June 2021, Manibusan agreed with co-conspirators to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine to Guam from Antioch, California. Manibusan received over $51,000 from co-conspirators J.A. and James Ada Mafnas before he mailed 3,617 grams of methamphetamine to Guam.  The package was later intercepted by law enforcement.  The Court found that Manibusan acted as an organizer or leader in the drug conspiracy and that the conspiracy involved eight pounds of methamphetamine.  Law enforcement also recovered $143,000.00 from the co-conspirators’ residence.

“This case involved a substantial quantity of drugs, in addition to money,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.  “Law enforcement uncovered an organization that was deeply involved in drug trafficking.  This is reflected in the number of conspirators and the geographical span of their unlawful activity.  Our office looks forward to future enforcement operations as we continue to combat drug crime.”    

“HSI will do everything in our power to investigate and bring to justice those who distribute meth,” said John. F. Tobon, Special Agent in Charge HSI Honolulu. “These sentences hold Manibusan and Mafnas accountable for their crimes but serve as a warning that HSI and its federal partners will work to keep the scourge of meth out of our communities.” 

“These sentences are another demonstration that we do not tolerate using the U.S. Mail to traffic-controlled substances or launder drug money. Postal Inspectors will continue to pursue anyone who tries to take advantage of the post office and harm our communities,” said Kevin Rho, Acting Inspector in Charge, USPIS, San Francisco Division. “As always, I would like to thank Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, Guam Police Department, members of our Guam Interagency Anti-Narcotics Task Force (GIANT), and our federal law enforcement partners for their teamwork.”

This joint investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, and assistance from the Guam Police Department and Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency.  The case was prosecuted by Rosetta L. San Nicolas, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Guam.