Month: October 2022

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Security News: Rocky Mount Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Charges After Shooting into Multiple Homes and Vehicles

Source: United States Department of Justice News

NEW BERN, N.C. – Jaquan Raqueze Harris, 27, man pleaded guilty today to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. For this charge, Harris faces up to ten (10) years’ imprisonment.  Harris is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

According to information presented in court and court documents, Harris illegally possessed a firearm when he shot indiscriminately into multiple homes along Parkridge Road and Walbrook Court, in Rocky Mount. On May 19, 2021, the Rocky Mount Police Department responded to a Shots Fired call at the corner of the 1700 block of Parkridge Road. Witnesses on scene advised they heard between 20 and 30 gunshots in a rapid succession late at night. Multiple residents on the block had projectiles strike and enter their homes and vehicles. Officers recovered over 25 spent shell casings and a semi-automatic rifle at the crime scene. Surveillance footage from a resident’s home security system captured Harris behind the home and armed with a black-in-color semi-automatic rifle. Harris is observed yelling and firing his rifle indiscriminately before fleeing the scene on foot and discarding the rifle. Rocky Mount Police arrested Harris the next day. Ballistics testing confirmed the spent shell casings from the crime scene matched the rifle Harris left at the crime scene. Harris was a convicted felon at the time and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

The conviction is a result of the ongoing Violent Crime Action Plan (VCAP) initiative which is collaborative effort with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, working with the community, to identify and address the most significant drivers of violent crime. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert B. Jones, Jr. accepted the plea. The Rocky Mount Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh is prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-120-FL.

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Defense News: Readout of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday Meeting with Heads of Navy from France, Italy, and U.K.

Source: United States Navy

Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of the French Navy Adm. Pierre Vandier; Chief of Italian Navy Adm. Enrico Credendino; and Royal Navy First Sea Lord Adm. Ben Key aboard the Italian navy training ship ITS Amerigo Vespucci.

Much of the discussion focused on maritime security challenges and the need for increased interoperability. Leaders noted that the ongoing Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium and today’s meeting provide an opportunity to exchange views about security challenges, discuss current and future threats, and deepen strong friendships, partnerships, and alliances.

Gilday thanked Credendino for hosting the meeting, as well as offered his sincere appreciation to Marina Militare for their leadership in the security and stability of the wider Mediterranean region. Gilday also expressed appreciation for tri-lateral carrier operations earlier this year.

Gilday and Vandier emphasized the importance of interoperability and modernization, while highlighting USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) upcoming operations with a French destroyer during Ford’s maiden deployment.

Adm. Gilday thanked Key for his commitment to advance and strengthen maritime partnerships and work toward becoming truly interchangeable.

Gilday also thanked the three leaders in their relentless efforts to provide and strengthen maritime security.

Gilday reaffirmed the U.S. Navy’s commitment to trans-regional unity and to sustaining strong relationships with our Allies and partners. He emphasized that maritime partnership is the foundation for mutual prosperity and security, and that by working together we will continue to defend freedom, preserve economic prosperity and keep the seas open and free.

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Defense News: Readout of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday Meeting with Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Adm. Sakai Ryo

Source: United States Navy

Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Adm. Sakai Ryo in Venice, Italy, at the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium.

The two leaders discussed maritime security, deterrence, and ongoing efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Gilday noted the alliance between Japan and the U.S. is the cornerstone of peace and stability in the region, and that both nations share a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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Defense News: Readout of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday Meeting with Commander of the Bulgarian Navy Rear Adm. Kiril Mikhaylov

Source: United States Navy

Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Commander of the Bulgarian Navy Rear Adm. Kiril Mikhaylov in Venice, Italy, at the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium.

The two leaders discussed maritime and regional security, as well as their shared commitment to the security of NATO and increasing interoperability.

Gilday expressed appreciation for the U.S.-Bulgarian strategic partnerships and thanked Mikhaylov for Bulgarian Navy participation in exercises Breeze and Dynamic Mariner. Gilday reaffirmed the U.S. Navy’s commitment to trans-regional unity and to sustaining strong relationships with our Allies and partners.

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Defense News: Readout of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday Meeting with Inspector of the Polish Navy Rear Adm. Jarosław Ziemianski

Source: United States Navy

Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Inspector of the Polish Navy Rear Adm. Jarosław Ziemianski in Venice, Italy, at the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium.

The two leaders discussed defense and maritime security, interoperability, and their shared commitment to the security of NATO. They talked about ballistic missile defense and today’s current threats and challenges.

Gilday highlighted that countering ballistic missiles is a security challenge requiring collective defense. He thanked Ziemianski for support with the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Ashore site in Poland, and also thanked the Polish navy for their continued contributions to NATO’s missile defense.

Gilday reaffirmed the U.S. Navy’s commitment to trans-regional unity and to sustaining strong relationships with our Allies and partners.